Lone Clone

By Princess Alexandria

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Prompt: Kindred – section 44

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I woke with a roar, my wings spreading wide as they were freed from stone. The breeze reminded me right away that I had no clothes and I pulled my wings tight to my body again.

“Damn, and I had to wait all day for them to move.” Demona’s voice was teasing and I turned to see her playfully leering at me from her doorway. “You cloaked your wings for the day. It really was rather unfair.”

I blushed at the sexual teasing, feeling a bit more self conscious now, since I wasn’t in the middle of being taken. My blush grew as my mind wandered back to the night before. She took me, really took me, and my tail lashed as the memory hit me.

“I wish I could say I’m sorry about ruining your outfit, but I never did like the more modern styles.” Demona spoke and I looked up at her through my hair, which was partly in my face again. “I found you another one.” Demona spoke softly and motioned for me to come inside. “Not that you have to put it on right away.”

I stepped into the bedroom a bit hesitantly. On her bed lay a loincloth and halter much like hers. “I’ve had to repair and replace mine so often that I can make that style rather quickly now.” Demona spoke and I took a step toward the laid out clothes, taking in that they were red, a rust color really. “I had tried once to change the color, but with my hair this just didn’t look right, and red is my favorite color.” Demona explained the existence of this outfit. When she looked in my eyes I felt like she was just open to me, more open than I’d ever seen her. “I never thought to ask yours.”

“Green.” I spoke quietly, but I picked up the clothes, taken in the suede like feel. “But this is beautiful.”

Demona chuckled. “Green, I can see that. You’re more an earth mother type.”

“So is red the color of warriors?” I looked over at her, asking with a small hint of a smile.

She stepped closer and took the red loincloth from my hands. “I’ll make you a green one, but it will take some time.” She leaned in and kissed me. “Don’t get dressed just yet.” She spoke softly and I could hear the arousal in her voice. Just hearing it made my body start to shake.

Her teeth scraped at my neck and I groaned. When she stopped I instantly wanted her to continue, but she moved away from my neck and I saw her tilt her own neck. My jaw dropped when I realized she was allowing me to, but that was an alpha’s thing. I stared at the tendon in her neck and then at her eyes, which were staring at me.

“He programmed you to be submissive. I’m more than willing to get you passed that.” Demona wrapped a hand around me. Her voice was silk and sex. “But I will warn you, I tire of being submissive to a male, so I doubt I’ll be submissive to you often.”

“But you’re clan leader.” I tried to pull back, but she held me firm.

“And yet I’m not Master.” Demona’s voice darkened. “Try it Lilith. If there is anything you ever want to try, just try it.” She spoke more softly. “Thailog preferred games I don’t like playing, and I suspect that is why he programmed you the way he did. I am sorry you pay for my sexuality with him. I’m sorry that he gave you a taste for things I didn’t…” Demona’s words trailed off and I stared in shock as she looked away. Did her voice crack? I just stared, unsure what to do. “I’m not submissive, and while I tried with him, that isn’t my preference.”

“You don’t need to be submissive to me, I’m not alpha enough to deserve that.” I finally spoke, protested.

“And you don’t need to be submissive because I am clan lead.” Demona spoke and I just nodded once. My arousal was calmed by the talk, but I leaned forward just a little and it felt wrong, like I’d be beaten to a bloody stain if I dared it. I pulled back. I could tell it was programming, the same type of programming that had Delilah attacking me for being gay. It was insidious and I knew it was there, but I was afraid.

The phone started to ring and I felt Demona curse softly. She made no move to answer it she just stared into my eyes. “I will help you conquer this Lilith.”

“I’m okay being what I am.” I told her, knowing she didn’t want to be or do what it would take to change this. The phone stopped ringing.

“That’s only because you don’t know how to be anything else.” Demona told me and when the phone started another irritating string of ringing.

Demona’s eyes burned red as she glanced at the phone, but she didn’t pull away from me. She caressed my hair and her eyes softened. I nuzzled into her hand.

When the phone didn’t stop ringing she growled and pulled away. I watched her grip the phone almost hard enough to crack it. “WHAT!” Demona yelled into the receiver. “IF you work for me, you’ll need to pack up your…” Her words trailed off and the angry look in her eyes turned to surprise. Demona’s eyes moved to me. “Fox.” Her voice was flat.

I blinked in shock. Fox shouldn’t know this number. What did she find something out? My eyes widened and I stared at Demona, who was watching me carefully while listening.

“Yes, she’s here.” Demona’s red eyes faded and I took a hesitant step forward. “Is she?” Demona spoke quietly and her words trailed off. I took another hesitant step forward. “I am her clan leader, I deserve to know!”

Demona’s eyes were red, but also concerned as she held the phone out for me. I hesitated to reach out. “I’m sorry that I’m,” I spoke quietly to her, my voice cracking. “so temporary.” I finished, sure of what I’d hear when Fox spoke.

“You don’t know that.” Demona, her hands empty of the phone, pulled me into her, she moved to hold me from behind. Her head near the phone as well.

“H-h-hi.” I stuttered into the phone. It took some comfort from the arm, and then the wings, that surrounded me for this phone call.

“First off, I want to tell you that you appear to have nothing wrong with you.” Fox spoke quickly and rather formally. I sagged a bit, leaning back into Demona in relief. “But the other clones are ill. We had the scientists check your blood for what is starting to show in the others, but the disease doesn’t replicate in you.”

I found my arm shaking as her words registered. There was something, and the others had it. “Why not me?” I paused just a moment and when Fox was silent I added. “Will they be okay?” Demona hugged me and I could tell she was listening in, in spite of how tightly I held the phone to my ear.

Fox sounded hesitant, not something I was used to hearing from her. “Well, you aren’t fully gargoyle. It is progressing a little more slowly with Delilah, but the fully cloned from gargoyles males are progressing alarmingly fast. If we’d not been looking, we wouldn’t have noticed it in enough time to even attempt a cure.”

“There’s a cure?” I asked hopefully.

“Not yet, but we are trying. Lilith, you’re the only one that was immune.” Fox’s voice, her tone alone, said that was incredibly important. I knew enough about science to understand why. If a cure was to be found, it would be in me. “We could look at Delilah’s blood and learn something, but what I passed on to you appears to be the key. What the doctor couldn’t sift out of my genes, that’s what is protecting you Baby.”

“Oh mama.” My voice cracked as I realized what it was. That wasn’t likely to translate well to the others. This was a long shot at best, finding a cure. I missed this bullet by such a small margin, and it was Fox that helped me. Demona fidgeted in her hold of me, but she was still wrapped around me. I was so glad to not be alone right now.

“You need my blood don’t you?” I asked after Fox had given me a moment of silence to absorb this.

“Even with it, there are no promises.” Fox spoke and I knew, could tell, someone told her it wasn’t anything but a longshot at this point. My mind went to Delilah, to my clan brothers, and my eyes teared up.

“I’m coming.” I told her, my voice a pained whisper. The others needed me, and I couldn’t abandon them. I understood the fear they lived with now, and even though I’d just found out that I was going to live, I couldn’t forget the fear. I wouldn’t wish it on anyone, and certainly not them.

“I’ll tell the clan to give you free passage, that you’re coming to help.” Fox paused. “But Lilith, don’t expect a welcome back party.”

“I don’t care.” It hurt, but I had more important concerns. “I’ll bring my research, maybe it will help.”

“You know you don’t have to do this Lilith.” Demona spoke softly and I turned to stare into her eyes. “You’re fine.” Demona smiled at me just a little. “You don’t have to worry anymore. I don’t know what little miracle of genetics occurred, but you’ll be fine.”

“I have to do this.” I stared her down and Demona’s eyes dropped as she nodded.

“Then I’m going with you. I can’t let you walk into the enemy camp alone.” Demona hugged me and I focused on the phone.

“I’ll be there in about two hours. I need to pack up my work.” I told Fox and was ready to hang up.

“I’m sorry it wasn’t good news all the way around Baby, but I’d be lying if I didn’t say I was relieved it was you that was going to be okay. I’d miss you Baby.” Fox told me and I could hear the love in her voice. I really was the lucky one. Would any of the others mourn for their clone? I doubted it.

“Love you Mama. Thanks for saving me.” I hung up and just stood there, feeling numb. The hand holding the phone fell to my thigh. Demona was caressing my shoulders and I turned into her as they started to shake.

“My kin are dying.” I cried and buried my head into her shoulder as she murmured comfortingly at me and held me close.

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Prompt: Family Reunion – section 45

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Demona carried the box for me. I turned my head to watch her glide beside me silently for a moment. “Thank you.” I spoke, and my voice was weak. She was coming with me, I didn’t have to do it alone. I was grateful for that. As clan leader she was well within her right to forbid me to help, even though I wanted to. I hoped I could help.

She was with me, and if the clan thought they could capture her again, I would become a warrior to protect her. I turned to face the city again and sighed. Most likely I’d ask Fox to help, Fox was a warrior. I wouldn’t be able to do much, unless it was gliding, I kind of wanted to see how I’d stand up to others. I did catch Demona alone after all.

I glanced across the river at the castle topped building and took a deep breath. My momentary fantasy fading as the weight of what I was doing hit me again. No one had ever counted on me before, and regardless of how the other clones felt, they were counting on me.

I hadn’t even asked if they were finally let out of the tunnels. My fists clenched to think they’d lived their whole lives underground and only know, when they were dying, were they perhaps let out. If they were still underground I would be making demands.

We were rising up so that we’d be level with the tallest building in the city. “If things get tense, let me handle it.” Demona spoke as we approached and I could see the small shapes that were gargoyles on the castle in the distance. “If things fall apart, take cover near Fox. That human seems to care about you.”

I almost jerked in the air as I turned to stare at Demona after that comment. She didn’t like humans, and I wasn’t sure she’d approve of my relationship with my donor. Demona held my box of research tighter to her chest and sighed. “We’re outnumbered in enemy territory. Alliances must be made.”

“I’m sorry.” I spoke softly. I knew this was hard for her, but I had to do this. I had to.

“It’s your clan Lilith. I paid for the procedure, if I didn’t want them alive I wouldn’t have done that.” Demona told me and I would have spoken with her more, but the wind picked up as we came near the large skyscraper and I could see the clan assembling near where we’d land. I felt sick, nervous, and resigned to my fate as I swung my feet forward and landed.

My arms were filled with my box quickly and I took it even though I didn’t expect it. Demona stood, her arms free, beside me as the clan approached. My eyes trailed over white glowing eyes, then past Brooklyn to see Goliath had a clenched jaw. Angela was standing further back. I gave up looking at the unfriendly faces and looked around harder for my redheaded donor.

“Demona.” Goliath’s voice was cold and I sighed as quietly as I could. “Lilith.” My name wasn’t said any more friendly.

“Lilith.” Fox’s voice was welcome and I turned toward it. “Thank you for coming.” She spoke as she walked toward us. I took in her walk and thought she was walking just a bit more firmly. It felt protective and I smiled just a little at her. Fox hugged me and I regretted that I was the one carrying my research now so I couldn’t hug back, but Demona was the warrior and it did make sense that I carried the books and papers.

“Hey Mama.” I spoke quietly to just her.

I heard something, a grunt of sorts, but Mama glared over my shoulder and the noise stopped. “Come in, I’m sure you’re anxious to see what we’ve discovered.”

“Are they here?” I asked, while looking around for even a single clone. I didn’t see one. I was getting a bit pissed about it really.

“They are recovering from the testing.” Fox told me while putting a hand on my arm.

I looked at her and I was afraid. “Are they hurting?” I asked, and did my best to not tear up. I felt another hand on my shoulder and glanced to the side to see Demona was resting her hand on my shoulder.

“Some, we’re trying to help them with that.” Fox told me and I hugged my research to my body as tightly as I could. Fox started to walk and I followed. I could hear the others shuffling around, but didn’t look to see if they were following me too. I just knew Demona was there, I could almost sense her.

“Maybe my work,” I lifted the box higher. “Maybe I found something that could help.” My voice was weak, tired, and so young sounding. I hated that I was scared and it showed.

“Are we sure we want to let her near the others? For all we know this is all part of their plan.” Brooklyn’s voice was harsh and he only faked a whisper. He wanted us to hear. I turned to stare at him, shocked anyone would think I’d hurt my own clan.

“Lilith would never do that.” Demona growled out in my defense. Fox moved beside me and put one hand around me in a half hug, while pulling me inside.

“There isn’t enough room in the lab for everyone, perhaps you should stay out Brooklyn.” Fox spoke firmly. It wasn’t a suggestion and I felt a little impressed when my mostly human donor backed him away with just a look. Fox glanced behind us and I couldn’t tell if she was irritated or not. Demona was back there. I turned to see Demona just nod at me and I felt somewhat reassured we were okay so far.

“Lilith.” Angela spoke and I felt like groaning at the poor timing of the family reunion. I needed to talk with Angela, to explain, but I had no time.

“Have they isolated anything in my blood so far that might help?” I turned to Fox, who took the box out of my arms and handed it off to Owen, who I hadn’t even seen appear.

“They haven’t figured out how to do it just yet. They took samples of my blood too.” Fox pushed a button and I suddenly noticed we were at an elevator. “My blood isn’t really behaving itself, they can’t get it to play well with others.” The elevator opened up, and I stood there, tensely. It was so small inside.

“Um, could we take the stairs?” I asked, thinking how tight it would be inside that little box. Flashes of watery vision hit me and I took a step back from the small box. I shook my head. Was that a flashback to my chamber? Was it a pre-formed memory?

“It’s several levels down.” Fox told me and I still couldn’t make myself get in the small box. “Delilah didn’t like the elevator either.” Fox spoke quieter.

“We can glide down the stairway.” Demona spoke up with a sigh. “It’ll take concentration Lilith, but you could do it.”

“Really?” Angela sounded surprised. I looked up at her and felt a little bit of pride that Demona thought I could, because Angela clearly hadn’t even considered doing something like that before.

“It’s the fourteenth floor.” Fox spoke while pointing to a door across from the opened elevator. “I’ll see you there.” Fox glanced around. “Any takers for the elevator?”

No one took Fox up on the offer and I found myself a bit nervous as I followed Demona down the stair shaft, but when I pulled up and followed her to land on the correct floor, she did smirk at me as Goliath missed it and had to hit the floor below. Her smirk was less amused when Angela missed too. “They don’t even train.” Demona muttered as we waited for them to make their way back up to the door. “I don’t want you ever to have trouble with tight turns Lilith. It could mean your life.” I could tell she was really not happy that Angela hadn’t made it.

Fox let us in and I could smell antiseptic and other familiar scents I didn’t really like as we walked down the hall toward the lab.

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Prompt: Noose – section 46

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We were in the middle of the hall when Fox stopped. She turned to look at me, and then the guards that were obviously here to make sure Demona and I behaved. Goliath and Angela, at least, didn’t taunt me like Brooklyn seemed to want to. “Lilith, did you want to see the others first, or the scientists I have working on this?”

“She doesn’t need to see the others right now.” Demona spoke for me and I felt a bit relieved. I wasn’t really ready to see what the disease was doing to them, but I thought it might sound heartless to say I didn’t want to see them. She spared me that.

“Now Demona, you don’t have the right to make her choices for her.” Goliath spoke and my eyes widened a little at the gall. I turned to look at him.

“She’s my clan leader, she has every right.” I told him firmly. “I need to see the scientists first.” I spoke coldly and turned to Owen. “Here, I’ll take the box. Thank you for carrying it.” I told him more gently and moved closer. I didn’t want to lose that box, it was all I had to offer other than blood that might not work.

“It is my clan Goliath, I’d appreciate you not challenging my leadership.” Demona spoke firmly to him and I wanted to see the look on his face, or hers, but I walked up to the lab doors instead.

“Did you manipulate her into joining your clan while in the Labyrinth or was she already under your thumb?” Goliath asked, his voice grating on my nerves. I did what I could to ignore the start of the bickering between Demona and Goliath, by focusing on the lab.

“Dr. Lambert, this is Lilith.” Fox introduced me to a woman in a lab coat with curly long hair. I watched how she reacted to meeting me, and from the lack of at the least, widening eyes, she must have seen a lot while working here already.

“It’s good to meet you Lilith.” Dr. Lambert glanced at the other gargoyles, so I did too. Demona’s arms were crossed and she was looking away from a very irritated looking Goliath. Angela was just watching this and her eyes caught mine for a moment; a brief moment where my betrayal ran a second fiddle to her parents’ behavior. “I’m glad you are willing to help. So far the only lead we have is in your blood.”

“I have some,” My words stopped for a moment. “training,” I didn’t want to tell a human I was programmed, it was embarrassing, especially considering how it had caused me problems last night, “in science. I’ve been working on deciphering the doctor’s notes for a while.”

“I received a copy of those notes.” Dr. Lambert looked at my box, so I moved to the right and put it on the table, pushing it toward her a bit. I had some programming; she had a full degree and was apparently the best in the business. Still, it hurt to share what I’d been trying to fix on my own. I wished I could do it.

“I want to help.” I heard the note of pleading in my voice. “I need to help.” If she said no, I’d have no choice but to give up my research and just donate blood, but I needed to do more than that.

“Lilith.” Demona’s voice was concerned and I glanced at her. My face pleading for her to understand that giving blood wasn’t enough, couldn’t be enough. “I know you’ll try, but prepare yourself for disappointment.” Demona’s eyes moved to the doctor. “Lilith will be helping.” She ordered the woman and I saw the threat she gave in her stance, all for me.

“I’m not so sure she should.” Goliath spoke, but the Doctor spoke at the same time.

“Sure, I’ll be glad to have it.” Dr. Lambert told me and the compassion in her eyes told me she understood. It was weird talking to a regular human like this, but I was getting somewhere, and that was good.

“Wait a minute.” Goliath’s voice rose a bit and I turned to look at him, as he stared hard at me.

I glared at him. “You put them underground, and I’ll be damned if I let you turn away any help they could get before they are allowed to glide in the skies like they were meant to. You will not stop me.” My voice was cold and I stared hate at him. “You condemned them to a half life, and they deserved more. How would you like to live in a cave and never see the sky?”

He looked shocked, and then ashamed. I nodded and turned away from him.

He didn’t know when to shut up. “Still, we aren’t sure you are trustworthy. We’ve believed you before Lilith, and you know what happened. I don’t want to approve this only to find out you needed to be closer to tighten the noose around their necks.”

I couldn’t even dignify his suspicion that I’d kill them, it was just too insane, so I focused on him and his inability to see what he’d done to me as well. “You mean I was supposed to just glide up and ask your detective to arrest you for kidnapping? I could still do that couldn’t I?” I turned back to him, and noticed that Demona looked amused and was leaning against the wall watching us. “My clan and my clan leader, you really think you did no wrong when you stole so much from me. I just don’t understand how you can delude yourself into thinking you’re the hero here. You’re wasting my time, and time is the most precious thing we have right now.”

I ignored his lack of permission and followed the doctor into the lab to see what she’d found. Eventually he stopped talking to me, but the sniping between Demona and Goliath was giving me a headache.

I really appreciated her agreeing to let me help, and her insistence that I not do it alone, but couldn’t they just be quiet for a little while? I noticed the pained look in Angela’s eyes and knew I wasn’t the only one with a headache.

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Prompt: Gone: section 47

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“You have to eat!” Demona spoke firmly as I started through the kitchen. I glanced at the kitchen and could see dinner wasn’t done. It was just now being started. There was a long glide to the castle.

“I could grab something in the lab.” I told her, but she turned to face me fully and her eyes glowed red. I stopped moving.

“Lilith, you have barely eaten this week, you’ve had us rushing out of here to race to the city every time you wake up and we have to glide hard to make it back before sunrise because there is always just one more experiment, or one more piece of data to look at. This isn’t healthy. In fact it’s gotten rather dangerous. If we don’t make it back in time you still will turn to stone.”

“Well, I guess I could set an alarm for leaving.” I offered as I considered what would happen if we didn’t make it back. Would Demona watch over me during the day if we were stuck on the top of some small business?

“No, that isn’t enough.” Demona tossed something into a frying pan and it sizzled. “I told you to prepare yourself for disappointment. You haven’t done that have you?”

I put the disk I’d just copied into my hidden pocket in the loincloth and moved to rest my hands on the back of a chair and looked at her. I couldn’t just give up like that, my clan brothers and sisters needed me. Brentwood looked like any day now he’d die, and Malibu wasn’t any better. The larger males appeared to be doing a little better, and Delilah’s disease was coming in spurts and pauses, making horrible progress only to stop for a few days before starting again. They needed me, I was the only one given useful programming for this. The doctor was cruel enough to give me the key to the disease too, hidden in the programming, and just out of reach while I watched them die. I had to find the secret.

Demona’s voice softened and her tense body slumped. “They aren’t going to make it Lilith. I’m so sorry that you are hurting like this, but death, few people can fight death. It is no shame that you tried, that you tried so hard, but it just isn’t going to happen for them.”

Tears clouded my vision, but it went red anyway. “No, I have to do it. They are counting on me, even Delilah.” Delilah had finally said a kind word to me just yesterday, she thanked me. I hadn’t done anything worth thanking yet.

“Lilith.” Demona moved closer and I took a deep breath, seeing something in her eyes that alarmed me, compassion and pain for me. “While you were copying more of the records I received a phone call.” She was right in front of me and my heart stopped. “Brentwood didn’t wake from his stone sleep today.”

“NO!” My wings curled around my body protectively as I started to lean forward into the chair. “I just need a little longer, no.” My voice cracked. Tears streamed down my face and I could breath. “Dammit, just a little longer.”

“Oh Lilith.” Demona moved forward and pulled me toward her, wrapping her wings around me. “You’ve been trying so hard. They know that.”

“I failed him.” I buried my head into her shoulder.

“No, you didn’t. You did everything possible. The doctor failed him, failed them all. The human did this Lilith, and it is not your fault.” Demona held me tight. “When my people find him, I swear to you, he will pay for this.”

And I wanted him to pay. I gasped in my pained breath. I wanted him to contract this damned disease, but it wasn’t something he could catch, he deserved it, but he’d have to die another way.

Brentwood was such a sweet male. He brought me a drawing at his last check up, it was crude and childlike, but it was for me. Now he was gone.

Even if I found a cure, it would never work on stone. He really was gone.

It took a while for me to calm down and she held me tightly the entire time. I didn’t want to pull away, but the smell of dinner started to smell burnt. She stared at me a moment when I pulled back and her concern was so visible I almost teared up again, but I pointed toward the food cooking.

She moved to dish us up a simple and slightly singed meal. I felt like I just collapsed into the chair, too weak to do it slower. I stared at my plate and found no appetite.

“It isn’t fair that I’ll survive. I didn’t do anything special, anything worthy of this. My life has been so much better than theirs.” I spoke softly. “Why should all they get is that life underground? I wanted them to be able to glide through the city. I wanted them to wake up to the sunset in the distance.”

“I do understand Lilith. I wanted a better life for my first clan as well, only to watch humans kill them all.” Demona rested a hand over mine and I stared at them. “It will always hurt Lilith, I won’t lie to you. Eventually you move on, but the loss is always there and I’m so sorry that you will feel that.”

I turned my hand in hers to hold hers. I gripped it tighter, needing her strength. “I have to keep trying.” I spoke, but my voice sounded so tired and old.

“I wish you didn’t, but I can see you do.” Demona spoke gently. “Just, keep in mind that trying is all you can do, and they should appreciate that you try. I’ve seen them, and I’d be surprised if Malibu wakes tomorrow Lilith. You need to be prepared to say your goodbyes tonight.”

My heart clenched as I thought of Malibu. He was just as sick as Brentwood, or as Brentwood was. I wasn’t making enough progress to think I’d make it in time for the end of the night. I was going to lose him too.

I couldn’t handle it if he gave me anything tonight. I felt selfish praying that he was too weak to want to reward me for helping, because I wasn’t really helping. I didn’t want to burst into tears right in front of him.

I only managed a few bites of dinner and Demona just stared at me for a moment when I stopped eating. She took my plate from me and scraped the rest into the garbage. I had never not finished a meal she made me, and even as upset as I was, I felt guilty to see food being thrown away.

We started out to the castle, but I didn’t glide as fast as I normally did. I took my time to control my emotions, to try and be stronger, because now my clan would need me in another way. I had just started to bond with them, and they had always known each other. The survivors should be terrified and grieving. I couldn’t ask for comfort from them, they needed me to be strong. I needed to make them believe I could fix this, even though I could now see it was probably hopeless. I needed them to go to stone sleep in the morning believing they’d wake up. Their last moments shouldn’t be filled with fear.

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Prompt: Awkward Moment: section 48

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I felt shaky as we moved to land on the castle, I could see the statue that had been Brentwood and the other clones nearby. It had almost shaken all the work I’d done to be strong tonight.

I felt Demona’s wing brush me and I glanced over at her as my feet hit the stone. She gave me a tender look and her wing brushed me again, before she caped it around her and her expression became more guarded. The Wyvern clan approached and I had to pull my eyes away from Brentwood to face them.

“Lilith.” Angela spoke, and I could tell she’d been crying earlier. It made me feel a bit better about her that she had cried. I nodded to her and turned to glance at Brentwood and the others. My eyes traveled to Malibu almost against my will as I compared him to how Brentwood looked last night. It wasn’t comforting to see the rough rashes over so much of him.

“Look, I’m sorry for your loss and all.” Brooklyn spoke quietly and I turned to stare at him in surprise. He had, even just yesterday, claimed I was here to prevent a cure from being found. I just stared at him, my eyes cold. I didn’t want to feel and focusing on him made that easier. I felt nothing but a small hint of satisfaction at how awkward he looked apologizing. I focused on that so I didn’t stare at Malibu.

“I need to get to work.” I muttered, trying not to look at the clones, but I could tell they were coming closer. I really didn’t know if I could do this.

“Lily.” A voice spoke, so soft and hesitant. I clenched my fists, to keep my pain in my hands as I turned to look at Malibu. He moved slowly, watching me carefully. “Brentwood’s not waking up.” Malibu had been told to call me Lilith before, but I didn’t correct him now.

My talons almost cut into my skin, but I did my best to not tear up as I looked at him. He really didn’t understand what was happening to him, to any of them. He was breaking my heart, but I did my best to smile at him. “I heard. I guess he was extra tired.” I lied right to his face.

He paused and appeared to consider that hard. He nodded and just turned toward the others. “I better go rest, I don’t want to be extra tired.” He told them and I felt myself whimper, but I did my best to not let it make much noise.

The other males nodded their heads and followed him, but Delilah stood there staring at me. She was smart enough to know better. I just stared at her, not sure how I could apologize for being too late for Brentwood. For thinking I might never figure this out. “I wish I was the one they made smart.” Delilah’s voice was harsh. “I hate this. I can’t do anything.”

I didn’t really feel like the smart one, but I just lowered my gaze as she stared at me. I was submitting out of pity really, because it hurt to know she felt this. My ‘smarts’ weren’t helping. I couldn’t do anything either. As she stared at me it felt like an increasingly awkward moment. I should say something, I knew that, but all the smarts she claimed I had weren’t paying attention and I had no clue what to do.

Angela stepped closer. “I’m sure Lilith won’t stop until this is figured out.” Angela told Delilah, and I just nodded weakly. I knew why I hadn’t said that, but I didn’t say it, not in front of Delilah. I wasn’t so sure there was a cure anymore. I was just doing all I could to be here, knowing it was going to hurt when I failed.

Delilah just stared at me for far too long before she nodded. “You’ll figure it out.” She muttered and wrapped her wings and arms around her torso, looking so fragile. I could see her skin was blemished like the others, only it wasn’t covering nearly the same amount of her body. She’d be the last to die. My heart ached for her, and as she walked away I stared at her back.

“I should get to work.” I spoke softly, reluctant to do it, because each day I didn’t solve this was another day someone could die. I didn’t want to go down there and see the Doctor, to hear her tell me the last test wasn’t inconclusive yet again.

I didn’t know how much longer I could take this and I felt selfish for thinking that, because I, at least, wasn’t dying.

……………..

“Lilith, how are you holding up?” Dr. Lambert asked and I could understand why she came over to say that. I was hunched over the microscope staring at the little killers. I was a little surprised to feel her hands touch my shoulders and I looked up to see the human looking concerned.

I was about ready to say I was fine, but then I just stopped, my mouth opened with the lie. She looked like she understood. “Is this the first time you’ve seen death?” She asked and my throat started to feel like it was closing up. My eyes teared up and I damned myself for the weakness. I didn’t have time for this.

I glanced around and for the first time ever, didn’t see Demona in a corner of the lab. She normally was there. It explained why Dr. Lambert felt safe enough to come closer to me. I knew the Doctor had been rather kind to me, but a glare from Demona kept it at a distance. Demona didn’t like humans, I just didn’t think much about them, but when Dr. Lambert wiped my tear away I started to change my mind a bit. “I became a medical examiner and a researcher to avoid that personal connection. It always hurts to lose a patient, and you lost a family member as well.” My tears increased with her words. She was lousy at comforting, but I couldn’t deny this was trying. “Lilith, you need to take a break.”

“I can’t.” I told her quietly. “I’m only good at night, that isn’t enough time.”

“Everyone else on this project takes some time off during the day to unwind.” Dr. Lambert told me. My eyes started to burn at that thought. They should be working on this, my clan was dying. “Tired minds don’t come up with new ideas.” She explained. “I came up with this latest testing plan while eating ice cream and watching a made for TV movie. I needed the time to not focus so I could see it. You need that even more than I do, you have a lot more than a reputation at stake here.”

I sighed heavily and my shoulders slumped as I admitted to myself that I was running on empty. My mind just kept circulating around what we’d already done, and no new ideas were coming to me. She squeezed one of my shoulders and stood up a bit taller, that’s when I realized how close she’d gotten to me. “I’ve worked on friends before, and if I thought I could have spared you that pain I would have.” The Doctor gave me a weak smile.

Her stance became more relaxed. “Could you go find Goliath and get a blood sample? I want to test his DNA and compare it to yours and the other clones. After that, we’re just waiting for results. You should take that time and do whatever gargoyles do for fun.”

I grabbed the needles and test tubes I’d need, and I expected he wouldn’t be thrilled to see me when he caught a glimpse of them. I glanced around the lab again, a little confused as to why Demona and Goliath weren’t here. She usually watched over me and he usually just watched me.

I was irritated to be hunting him down, but I methodically considered where to find him and didn’t like that I suspected he was in the castle. I sighed as I made my way to a window, because I wasn’t getting in the elevator.

I heard his deep voice before I made it that far and I slowed down as I heard him say my name. “I told her about Lilith and she was interested.”

Demona’s voice was harsh and angry. “What right do you have to interfere with MY clan?” I stopped walking and moved toward the wall as silently as I could as I tried to understand what they were arguing about, because it was clearly about me.

“You know how hard it is for our lesbian sisters. How can you be so selfish as to deny her an opportunity to meet another of her kind?” His voice was a growl and I stood stunned as it dawned on me, he’d found another lesbian.

“And I suppose you expect that if she found a mate she should leave my clan, rather than having my clan absorb the pair?” Demona’s voice was cutting and my heart ached at her words. Did she want another lesbian in our clan? One that was a real gargoyle and not a clone? “No, Lilith isn’t going anywhere. Not to meet this female and not to leave me for Japan.”

I let out a slow breath as my panic started to fade. She wasn’t talking about bringing the other female here yet, maybe Demona wouldn’t see that she could have a female without all the programming issues I had. I had shocked her our one night together, with my words. She didn’t like hurting me, and apparently I liked being hurt. Or at least I was programmed to like it.

“Clan leaders have a responsibility. Even you should understand this.” He growled and I blinked hard and pulled my bag of needles and test tubes closer to my chest as I listened. He was fighting for me to have a mate, which was really unexpected.

“I take care of my clan just fine. I don’t need your help.” There was a click of talons on the floor and I heard Demona’s voice go quieter, but still angry. “So you tell that Japanese whore that she doesn’t need to come visit here either.”

I felt like a tone of stone that had been encasing me just disappeared as Demona said that. I was enough for her, clone and issues, she wasn’t looking at this other female to replace me either. She didn’t want me to leave and she didn’t want an excuse to meet someone else.

“Who is there?” Goliath’s voice was commanding and I almost found myself saying Master as I answered.

“Me.” I bit back the programming and felt the blush covering my face at this awkward moment. I’d been caught eavesdropping on them talking about me. I wished I could just turn around and walk away, but I slowly took a step forward and turned to the side to see they were just inside a small room. He was almost hunched over Demona in silent threat, but she was just looking at me, even as he stood up and took a step back from her.

“I was telling Demona that I found a clan with a lesbian.” Goliath spoke, but I watched Demona’s expression. She looked irritated and a bit concerned. Why would she need to worry? I was part of her clan, and I liked that. She was, words escaped me. She was special, and graceful, and giving. Okay, maybe I could think of the words. I gave her a small smile.

“I’m fine here.” I turned to him, unsure of what he was doing.

“You told me I abandoned the clones, and you were right. It seemed the right thing to do, but I can see now that I was unfair. I don’t want to be unfair to you.” He spoke softer. “The Ishimura clan is a very honorable one, and they are eager to meet you.”

“That is enough.” Demona’s voice cut through the room. “She is my clan and I did not give you permission to do this.”

“She needs a mate!” Goliath’s voice rose again and I was stunned to see them start to argue so quickly with me right here.

“I have a mate.” I spoke firmly, but quietly. “I don’t need to leave my clan for one, I have one.” I glanced at Demona a little fearfully, hoping it was okay I called her my mate. I had never said it out loud before. I swallowed hard and let out a deep breath at her small smile, before turning to Goliath. “We need a sample of your blood.” I told him, but he was still looking too stunned to understand me.

“You found a human?” He asked quietly and I got the impression he knew better, but I shook my head no and pulled my bag of medical supplies forward without speaking.

“Lilith told me you told her of the clans concerns when I was a hatchling.” Demona spoke quietly and I found I couldn’t look into his stunned expression as she spoke. I pulled the needle out and found his arm didn’t resist as I held it and pushed the needle into his skin. “I was only a slow bloomer in one way Goliath. I always knew I liked females, but there were no females for me in the clan. I had no desire to leave my clan for a mate.” I loaded the test tube and his red blood filled it quickly. There was too much silence and he wasn’t moving much. I loaded another test tube as Demona spoke more softly. “Lilith is my miracle. That bastard made her to replace me, but she replaced him.”

It was very hard to remain invisible while putting the blood samples in the bag, but even though this was about me, I could feel the unresolved issues between them. I pulled the needle out, but his jerking back almost made me slice his vein wide opened. He didn’t even notice, he was staring at Demona.

I pulled it out the rest of the way carefully and he pulled his arm away after that more slowly. “So what we had was not real?” He spoke and I wished I wasn’t here for this. She was my mate, but I could tell this was dangerous to us.

“It was real.” Demona spoke and I didn’t like the moment where her eyes looked at him with affection. “I did, foolishly, love you.” Her hardening eyes comforted me and the affection being turned to me even as I was walking backward slowly to leave them to this talk helped even more. “But in the time before you and in the time since, I had always dreamed of a female lover.”

I could see him looking at me as well, and I stopped backing up. He studied me. “Always my clones Demona?”

“She is far more than a clone of you.” I felt my heart stop, and fill with love, at her words. She saw me, I could hear that, and I was so grateful. “Since this issue is resolved, I need to get back to the lab. My mate needs me.” Demona spoke and turned toward the door I’d been trying to make it too subtly. Her wing caressed mine and her arm took mine, to guide me out the door. He didn’t follow to watch me like he normally did.