The gentle, wonderful scrape of Lis as she withdraws from me is something I didn't know I needed. I feel mindless, and I'm thankful for everything she's given me.

With Kam, it's gentle. Loving. She's there to envelop and contain.

But with Lis? God, I didn't know it could be so brutal.

There are things people would say if they saw me like this, saw me covered in cum, in claw and bite marks, in bruises.

They'd call me a depraved whore. I'd have felt guilty or embarrassed at that, but right now? Yeah. I'd be a whore for any woman like Kam or Lis. Happily. Mindlessly. Dutifully.

Even the humiliation of being called that only makes me want it more right now. It's miraculous and baffling to me. Normally just the thought of this would make me want to disappear. Or hyperventilate.

But if I got discovered right now... God, maybe that wouldn't be so bad.

Maybe I'd survive it.

"Feeling better?" Lis purrs, her breath on the nape of my neck cool against my overheated skin.

It sends the best little shiver through my body, and I get now why Kam wanted this. Already I'm imagining how great the three of us will be. The ways the two of them could use me however they wanted...

"God, yeah..." I mumble, not sure if the words are intelligible. I don't care enough to do anything but exist. If not for Lis' arms wrapped around me, I'm so light that I could probably just float away.

I lie there for... I dunno how long as Lis licks at my claw wounds.

She tells me I taste good.

I want to feel wrong. I know, already, that I will probably feel wrong about this. I can feel it starting up... But it's not here yet.

I still have a few moments bef—

My phone buzzes. Dammit. Dammit dammit dammit.

I pull myself out of Lis' arms and feel the first, faint hammer blow.

I check my phone.

Rory Valen: I'm back! Sorry for the bad cell reception, but... You know how it is! I should be home soon.

God. Rory. I'd forgotten.

Tiana Mackey-Valen: Yeah! Should be back soon.

"Um... Can I use your shower?" I ask.

"Yeah! Just down the hallway to the left."

I clean myself off, not letting myself have the time to be alone or let my thoughts wander.

Lis' selection of shampoos and conditioners is impressive. She even has my brand.

I'm thankful as I do a quick rinse. It helps me feel more like myself as I return from that blissed out place.

Wet hair is the worst, but it won't be an issue.

I summon a heat rune once I'm out.

The warmth of it makes the cuts and bites sting, but it's worth it to be dry.

...And maybe a touch damp all over again.

I snag a bath sheet off the hook, a big and fluffy thing, and wrap it around myself twice.

Why I'm protecting my modesty, I don't know. Lis probably does, based on the way she observes me as I hunt for the remnants of my clothes.

"I can feel you staring," I say.

"Sorry. Pitfalls of the gig."

I shrug. "I get it." I don't. People have always been so complex, and I'm a bit jealous.

I pick up my blouse and survey the damage. It's more tatters than a wearable garment.

Well, I did tell her not to be gentle.

Lis is already up from her bed. She pulls open a drawer and hands me a dark burgundy dress shirt. It's scratchy against my skin, but I wear it all the same. "Thanks."

She trails me to the front door, where I put on my trench coat. I'm more thankful than ever that I got in the habit of wearing them again, as it covers the tears and rips in my sensible, everyday slacks.

"See you soon?" Lis asks, and I note the worry in her voice.

Can't have that. "God, yeah."

I pull her in for a kiss, and relish the roughness of her tongue. I almost want to tell Rory I'll be a few more hours. Instead, I push back before I get too worked up again.

With one final purr, Lis delivers a final peck on my lips. "I don't wanna keep you," she says.

"You aren't, but... thanks."

I open the door, and startle for a moment at the hulking form of Draxus of Kjel'Doran in front of me. He seems just as startled.

"Tiana! H-hey! I um..." He stammers before looking to Lis and then back to me. "I'm... Sorry, is this a bad time?"

"Um... No, I was just..." I look to Lis. "Leaving."

Lis rubs my back with her paw. "Thanks for stopping by," she says.

I nod, and squeeze past Draxus — who hasn't yet moved, still seemingly a bit dazed and mystified. Its clear he's put it all together. I want to address it. To talk it out.

I know I can't. I have to get home, so I teleport.

When I get back home, I hear Rory's voice coming from the kitchen. "She texted me a few minutes ago. She should be here any minute."

I curse to myself. I thought he was still on his way home. My clothes are in tatters and I'm covered in claw and bite marks. It's incredible.

And a problem.

I teleport up to our bedroom, and into the closet. Panic grips me as I strip off my clothes. It's not uncommon for items of my wardrobe to get tattered. Not every threat I face as a Magisorcerer has the decency to announce itself.

But normally, I don't wear it home. Normally, I let the Guild know.

And, normally, Rory knows as well. The Guild makes allowances for Adepts like him who're married to one their most prestigious members.

God. Rory. We haven't talked since GirlCon, and I just fucked another woman who isn't Kam.

Then I remember what he said: "She texted me a few minutes ago."

Someone's waiting for me, too. Rory alone would be enough to set me off, but I feel awful. Sick. And that's when I get an idea. It's not a lie. I am sick.

I won't name it. It's not that. Can't be that if I want to keep being me.

It's a truth, though. A cutting, painful truth.

I teleport a foot forward, making sure I leave my clothes behind. They tumble into a heap that I toss into a hamper. Then, I pull on something inconspicuous: a fluffy turtleneck and a pair of those same slacks.

Plausible work wear. With one final sigh, I step out and head downstairs.

Rory's still chatting as I make my way into the kitchen. "Yeah, she's been so busy si—" I round the corner and I see Rory as he sees me. He brightens, but it doesn't reach his eyes. "—Oh hey! Speaking of!"

Rory gestures to me and the person he's been entertaining turns to face me.

Lindsey.

"Hey, Ty... Can we talk?"