Julia V. Ashley

View Original

The Tinted Window Wound Down

The silver limousine rolled into the shop’s parking lot. I considered ignoring it. Remembering the damage done the last time, I reconsidered. Shoving the roller board out from under my current repair job, I surveyed the shop. No sign of the other two creatures that lived there with me.

I scrubbed greasy hands with a greasier clothe and sauntered out into the bright sunlight, taking my time. Only one creature rode around Vicksburg in that car, the succubus who ran Casino City, my mother. She’d left town after we tore the casino’s island apart and the prisons underneath it. I’d prayed never to see her again.

The tinted window wound down. In the place of Mom’s sliver eyes, crazy, kaleidoscope eyes flashed their purples and blues up at me.

“I got a new ride. Like it?” The half-Fae, May who’d taken up residence in the shop after I rebuilt her wings grinned.

Behind the driver’s window sat my other roommate, PJ, the ne’er-do-well half-satyr with brass tipped horns from the repairs I’d made. He tipped a chauffer’s hat, which caught on an antler, ruining his attempt to look professional.

“Call came this morning wanting Leira’s car washed and car tuned up. She’s making a comeback. You think she’d appreciate a custom paintjob, too?”

“I think she’d kill us.”

May scowled. The tinted window wound back up, and PJ revved the engine. Before they could take off, or I could think better of it, I snatched the door open.

“Scoot over.”