House of Claws

Two stepsisters circle each other like sharks in a tank. Zazie Skymm clutches the deed by lunchtime. Candee Licious knows the secret that could tear it from her hands. The fight starts civil, words sharp as glass across the living room rug, until the heat makes their clothes feel like lies they need to shed. By dusk they're naked in the bedroom, trading sweat and curses like currency. Candee thinks one night of bodies grinding against each other will settle the score. Zazie lets her have the delusion, fucks like she means it, then slices the illusion apart with one sentence that leaves Candee staring at the ceiling while the victor walks out holding both the deed and the grin she never showed coming. The mattress still warm, the threat still breathing under the same pillow.