XXXVI

Even though it was the middle of the afternoon, Lina's eyes felt heavy and grogginess tugged relentlessly at her consciousness. The large soft wolf she was using as a back rest was probably not helping Lina mused to herself. She'd easily read the same short paragraph six times and still would not be able to tell anyone who asked what it was about. Other than it started with reference to the War of the Monsters' Fall.

Lina's heart skipped a beat as she felt herself falling. With a sharp gasp her eyes snapped open. Her heart pounded fit to break through her rib cage as she tried to find what caused her sudden awakening. The room was empty.

After several moments, Lina realized that it was not something entering the room that had woke her. Rather it was something leaving. Both of the demon wolves were gone. Irritation flared as she rubbed the tender spots where her shoulder and the back of her head connected with the floor. They could have at least woke her before they just disappeared.

Lacking anyone to vent her frustrations on Lina picked herself up off the floor. She marked her place in the book she'd been reading before putting it down on a small carved table near the chair she wished she'd been snoozing in instead of leaning on the giant wolf. The wolves just made such delightfully warm and soft pillows.

The hall was empty as Lina entered it, but she could hear voices drifting from the nearby throne room. Xelas was addressing someone. Lina couldn't make out the exact words, but there was no mistaking the Beastmaster's voice for another. Quietly Lina approached the doorway that led to the large room. When the next person spoke, Lina stopped in her tracks. There was no mistaking that voice either.

"I will see her. Alone."

"As I've said, that's not really your choice to make," Xelas replied uninterested or affected by the angry tone of her visitor.

"She is my sister," Luna began but was cut off.

"Indeed. However, it's still not your choice." There was a pause followed by the slightest clink of a glass being set down.

Lina swallowed thickly. In her very core she knew it was her decision. The time dragged out as she thought about whether she was ready to face her sister. Slowly her steps brought her forward once more.

Everyone turned to face her. Only Xelas was unsurprised by her entrance. Lina was shocked to see not only Luna but Filia, Milgazia, and Amelia were also standing before the Demon Lord Beastmaster.

Xelas smiled as Lina entered. The emotions in the room swelled and swirled in a heady mix that was richer than any of her finely aged wines. This alone was worth any potential destruction the Inverse sisters would cause to her home today. Still she held hopes that any damage would be superficial.

Lina's resolve wavered. It was almost more than she could handle just confronting her sister. Adding two of her friends and a practical stranger to the mix was a bit much. That was also ignoring the fact that Xelas was watching with great amusement as she lounged sideways in her throne.

Luna was not about to let her sister leave without a long heart to heart. She stepped forward before Lina's hesitation could turn into a retreat.

"Lina," her voice was steady and her eyes did not waver from her little sister. There was no need for Luna to say more. Lina knew what it was she wanted already.

A far less steady ruby graze drifted over each of the beings present. As much as she'd rather not be alone with her big sister, she couldn't help feeling that there were too many people present for the discussion she knew they were going to be having. Lina nodded slowly.

"Let's get this over with," Lina said in a voice that was much calmer and steadier than she felt.

Luna nodded and followed her back through the door she'd entered only a moment ago.

Xelas shrugged. The smile on her face spread as she regarded the two dragons and crown princess left in her throne room.

"So," the word was slow and drawn out, "drink anyone?" she asked holding up her own glass and swirling the dark red liquid inside.

All three of her guests looked at each other nervously. Clearly they were trying to decide if it was more dangerous to accept or decline such an offer made by a Demon Lord.

Xelas chuckled heartily. "Now don't be shy. Poison isn't really my thing; it's more of Deep Sea's thing. I prefer tearing limb from limb." Her grin was pure evil as she looked at them over the rim of her glass.

Amelia could feel the blood draining from her face. Looking at the dark liquid in the glass she couldn't help but wonder if it really was wine. Filia and Milgazia shared sideways glances without taking the Beastmaster out of their line of sight.

Lina took a seat in the chair she'd eyed earlier after looking around hopefully for Saluna and Salarte. Their relatively quiet presence would have been very welcome. With great difficulty she kept her laugh from escaping. Demons were more welcome company than her own sister.

Luna closed the library doors behind her. The thud had finality to it in Lina's mind. Something had ended with the closing of that door.

The silence was tangible as Luna walked across the thick carpets to take a chair opposite Lina. Lina concentrated on her breathing and heartbeat, willing herself to remain calm. She kept her eyes locked on her sister. She refused to look down or away.

Several long seconds passed as the two just sat and looked at each other. Lina's posture was set, firm and immovable. Luna on the other hand sat slightly slumped in her chair. Obviously the older Inverse was very tired.

"Lina," Luna searched for a place to begin. Talking to her sister was never something she'd been good at.

"What?" Lina replied just for something to fill the lengthening silence. Silence was not what she expected. If Luna had a problem with Lina she was usually either yelling it or beating it into her.

"I need to know about the Lord of Nightmares." It wasn't the heart of her concerns, but Luna thought it was a place to start.

Lina blinked in surprise. "The Lord of Nightmares?" Lina knew it sounded stupid, but she couldn't help it. Of all the things her sister would come all the way out to Wolf Pack Island for a history/magic lesson was not on the list. A good glass of wine maybe, but… further contemplation was cut off.

"Yes, I need to know, and it seems somehow you are the one mortal with the most knowledge on the subject."

Lina scratched at the back of her head as her face scrunched up. "Well I suppose that's true. Well what do you want to know?"

Xelloss returned to his master's throne room to give his report. Automatically he was in a kneeling position since it was a formal mission. However upon materializing he could instantly tell that they were not alone. Slowly his gaze drifted right to the other occupants.

Filia, Milgazia, and Amelia stood wide eyed and blinking at his sudden appearance. All three seemed nervous and jumpy. They each also held a wine glass filled with a deep red wine.

A slow smirk spread across his face as he turned his attention back to his Lord. "Well I was going to report that all the dragons were returning to their desert with all haste, but it appears I missed two."