Author's Note: I'm sorry for the extremely long wait, and I'll try to update faster. Thanks for your patience. Without further preamble enjoy!

XXXVII

Salarte looked back at his partner. Saluna was trotting along several paces behind. The two giant wolves passed through the thick jungle undergrowth of the forest with barely a whisper of sound. As they passed they collected an assortment of other demons that owed their continued existence to the Beastmaster Xelas.

When their number reached a dozen, they stopped. Standing in a loose circle quietly staring at each other the demons gathered strength. Upon a silent consensus all the demons teleported.

It was in a rich countryside dotted with a patchwork of farms that they rematerialized. As well as a chance for the demons to feed, they had a mission to fulfill. Salarte had mixed feelings about having to retrieve food for a human, but he'd also been finding Lina's presence less aggravating than he thought it would be.

Salarte nodded to his companions. They all knew what was expected. Immediately they scattered in different directions. Terrified screams of startled humans filled the air and sated the demons appetites as they raided fields and cellars.

The noise and chaos were fit for a massacre, but they were misleading. The demons snapped and growled at any humans that were in their way. One foolish man that tried to stab Saluna with a pitchfork ended up running away with a broken arm. His was the worst human damage. Several animals were dead. Demons they may be, but they were also beasts and still possessed the hunting instinct. A few outbuildings burned consisted of the property damage when the demons disappeared as suddenly as they appeared.

Of course stories later would tell of dozens of lives lost and entire herds slaughtered and entire farms reduced to ash.

"I see," Luna said as she digested what she'd learned from Lina. There was more to this than she thought. Her eyes couldn't help but be drawn to her sister's growing belly. There was a lot more. Still Luna was unsure how to try to talk to her sister about her pregnancy. "Lina…"

Lina looked at her older sister. The questions that the older Inverse sister wanted to ask were clearly painted across her face even though she was unable to form the words. Lina was also pretty sure that even though Luna probably was curious about more information on the Lord of Nightmares that was not the main reason that her sister wanted to talk.

The seconds turned into minutes as the silence gnawed at both of them. Each sister faced her own set of internal demons that tied her tongue into knots.

"I think I know what you want to ask," Lina was staring intently at the carpet.

Luna stared intently at her sister and waited to see if she would continue.

Pulling in a deep breath, Lina forced herself to look up and meet her sister's piercing gaze. "You want to know what the plan is, assuming I miraculously do make it to term."

Luna surprised her by finally speaking, Lina was just getting used to her sister's silence. "Have you thought about how unlikely it is, and what it could do to you?"

Lina laughed. It was shakier and more uncertain than any laugh Luna had ever heard from her. After she was done laughing Lina looked seriously at her sister. "Yes. I get you're having trouble coming to terms with the situation and my decision. Oh boy do I get it. I had trouble accepting it at first. But I have to follow this through to the end now, and trust that it will work out somehow. I can't go back anymore than I could give up and die."

A slight smirk spread across Luna's lips. Her little sister had grown up more than she'd thought possible. "Well then what is the plan when you do deliver the little half demon?"

Lina let out a real laugh this time. "Well if all goes well, I suppose stay here until 'the little half demon' is old enough to travel. Then back to spreading chaos and collecting treasure." Lina smiled wistfully. "If it goes less well, please make sure the little half demon knows that ultimately how one lives life is a personal decision."

Luna frowned. Even though talking with her sister about such things was her intent, she did not like hearing her younger sister talking about the possibility of her death. It seemed wrong to Luna that Lina could be the first of the siblings to die. Not that she'd given her own death much thought.

There was still a small smile playing across Lina's face. It was easy to see what Luna was thinking. "Don't give up on me yet sis. It was just something that I had to say, just in case."

Luna nodded. Nothing was decided yet. "Of course."

Xelas chuckled. "Yes. I suppose you could call this the Knight of Cepheid's new entourage."

The princess and two dragons exchanged confused looks. None were quite sure what to make of the comment. Amelia took a large swallow of the wine. She was expecting good, but it was truly an excellent vintage. Quite possible better than any that her father kept even in his private reserve.

Filia and Milgazia both appeared surprised that the princess was drinking the wine. Amelia just shrugged in response to the scandalized looks they both shot her way. It seemed silly to waste perfectly good wine, if the demon really wanted them dead a physical or magical attack would be much more efficient.

Xelloss stood. Obviously formality was not required. "After following the dragons, I would say it will be several weeks before they are regrouped enough to even consider a new advance."

Xelas nodded and a thoughtful look passing over her face. It had been a very remote chance that the dragons would attempt attacking her on their way back south. However it was not in her nature to take anything for granted, so she'd sent Xelloss to make sure. Xelas stared into her wine as she slowly swirled the dark liquid.

After the appearance of the Golden Lord at the battle, Beastmaster was quite sure Deep Sea would not be leaving the comfort of her oceans for quite a while. Dynast on the other hand could be a problem. With his position being much more exposed, Xelas doubted that he would sit back and wait for the dragons to resume the offensive. In fact she expected him to be the first to muster his forces on either side.

Xelloss waited patiently for his master to mull over the situation. His gaze drifted to the silent guests, but it was not them that occupied his thoughts. Luna and Lina were undoubtedly having a long chat somewhere. It irritated Xelloss that he could not be there for it, but he knew better than to leave without permission or to interrupt Xelas's contemplation.

"Xelloss."

Xelloss snapped to attention and returned his wandering gaze and thoughts to his master.

"I have another task for you."

Xelloss carefully schooled his features into neutrality. As much as he did not want to go, it would only be worse to show those feelings.

Xelas and Xelloss disappeared leaving the three guests staring at the empty space. Amelia took another drink of the wine. She understood that Xelas meant to keep her plans between herself and the one she knew was physically unable to give away her secrets. She just hoped that she'd be able to see Lina soon. Ever since Lina disappeared after the wedding she'd been so worried. In a strange way, Lina filled the void left by Gracia. Amelia didn't want to lose another big sister.

The dragons continued to eye the wine in their hands like a poisonous snake. Doubtful looks passed over their faces each time Amelia took a sip. For her part Amelia ignored them, instead she kept her eyes on the doorway that Luna had went through.

There was no telling to what part of the castle, or the world for that matter, that Xelloss and Xelas retreated to discuss their plans. The silence left in their wake was deafening. Although Filia and Milgazia were exchanging significant looks, they seemed afraid to speak aloud.

Amelia was the first to notice the footsteps. Booted feet muffled by the carpet covering the stone. Lina and Luna walked in side by side. Lina seemed surprisingly relaxed considering she was with her sister.

"Miss Lina!" Amelia shot herself at the sorceress.

Lina stepped back and glanced side to side for an escape of some sort from the collision she knew was coming. Luna stepped aside at the same time the princess passed and snagged the wine glass. Xelas would not appreciate one of her fine wines ending up decorating the floor for multiple reasons.

The force of the impact knocked Lina back several steps. Lina was able to absorb the impact enough to roughly catch Amelia and keep them both on their feet.

"Hey Amelia," Lina said around the head full of black hair that was shoved into her face as the princess clung tightly to her.

Lina gently pried Amelia loose and pushed her back to arm's length.

"What are you doing here?"

Amelia smiled. "You're my friend. I couldn't leave you to face whatever is going on alone."

Lina laughed. "So you got tired of princess lessons in other words?"

The princess made a face. "Miss Lina, that's not it."

Xelas glanced up and stopped her conversation as the demons she'd sent on a scavenger hunt to support her guest returned. Salarte and Saluna leading the pack of beasts as they appeared in the clearing and immediately headed for the castle to deposit their prizes.

Xelloss's gaze followed his master's. There was much more food than the last time. It seemed the rest of Beastmaster's demons were beginning to understand how much food Lina could consume in a short time. The amethyst eyes drifted back to the Demon Lord.

Silence reigned while the clearing emptied of all except two demons. Xelas slowly puffed on a cigarette. A thin trail of smoke drifted up lazily from the tip of the cigarette as Xelas held it apparently forgotten as she returned to business. Although she could command their silence, it was simply easier if none but Xelloss knew of her plans. It was another reason to have one powerful servant instead of a separate priest and general.

"There's little time before Dynast recovers and is ready to move. Given the circumstances I think it's prudent to keep him and his servants clear of here, as much as possible."

Xelloss nodded. His expression was solemn. It didn't take much imagination the reaction Dynast would have to finding a human carrying his child. Combined with the dragons' attempts on Lina's life even all the beasts on Wolf Pack would not be enough to keep her safe.

"Since the dragons will likely wish to move on our island next, it is in our best interest to encourage Dynast to intercept that attack."

Xelloss smirked. "Of course without his knowing that he'll be intercepting on our behalf."

"Of course." Xelas's smile was downright predatory. "To encourage this, we will need to wait for him to make the first suggestion of a preemptive attack. Of course we can't have him here with Lina here. I may be able to shield her from the notice of his priest, but there's too much risk if he chooses to come here himself."

Xelloss nodded again. It was easy to see what his next mission would be.

"Take Salarte and Saluna with you."

"Do you really think that necessary?" Xelloss asked skeptically. It was very rare that she sent any demons with him on missions. Beastmaster always trusted his abilities implicitly.

"Two extra pairs of eyes won't hurt. I don't trust dragons not to turn up following some silly premonition from their god. Not to mention your earlier reports of chaos following Lina Inverse everywhere she goes."

Xelloss laughed. "Indeed." Xelas really never left anything to chance.