Chapter 11:

Chapter 11:

Rui's brilliant jade eyes sparkled with silent laughter as she sensed the stumbling movements of the cursed youth behind her. Men were all alike. Foolish creatures, they were. A single wink, a single swing of the hips persuaded any man on earth to do anything she wished them to. Her lips curved as an image of a dashing brunette man, bearing a smirk filled her mind. Except for certain exceptions of course.

Entering an inn, the luscious lady glided past the counter. Had Zelgadiss been his normal alert self, he would have noted that the young man at the counter did not bat a single eyelid when the sex-bomb sashayed right past him. All men within looking distance would have exploded. Suffice to say, the chimera was not the only one in a trance.

Rui stepped into a room, whose door was conveniently open and sat upon the bed, rubbing a hand over the immaculately white sheets. Soft and silky…just the way she liked them. Her jade eyes watched the chimera hurry into the room.

"Close the door," her voice tinkled gently.

Without a word, Zelgadiss shut the door. A click resounded within the room. Rui smiled.

Ryo looked up to the heavens in utter exasperation. This was heading nowhere. Sneaking a peek at the fidgeting girl on his side, the brunette stifled a groan. The weak die, the strong survive. How is it possible that this fragile creature is a member of Lina Inverse's notorious group? Well, no matter, Ryo grinned. This would simply make his task much simpler.

Clearing his throat, the handsome man gave his companion a gallant smile. "Sylphiel my dear…"

The lady toppled off the seat, face redder than the rising sun.

Ryo stared.

"Why…why me?" A blushing chimera mumbled. "Surely…surely Gourry…" The lady on the bed tapped her chin reflectively for a second before rising up and pulling the cursed youth closer to her.

"Because I trust you," came the purr.

Zelgadiss couldn't believe his luck. One minute he was travelling with a group of total loons, the next he's in a room with the most gorgeous thing in the world…correction, alone with the most gorgeous thing in the world. And that vision of beauty was hugging him. Tightly. Very tightly. He was definitely in bliss.

A slender arm snaked round the unsuspecting youth's neck, tightening…ever so gently.

"Oh, Zelgadiss," the vision of beauty sighed lustily.

Someone coughed.

With an energetic shove, Rui practically flung the chimera right into the wall. Zelgadiss slid down with a thud, eyes whirling in confusion.

The Knight of Ceipheed smiled at Rui's indignant snarl. "Forgive me…was I interrupting something?"

Teleportation was certainly a convenient way to travel. One, it was environmentally friendly. Two, no waiting time was required. Three, it was one heck of a good way to scare someone out of their skin. Especially when that someone was attempting something bad.

"HOLY FUCKING SHIT!"

Twirling his staff, Xelloss grinned at the rapidly cursing brunette. "I never knew that excreta could have such interesting functions."

Eventually calming down, Ryo's beautiful emerald eyes turned a dark red. From his body emitted an oppressing fiery aura, growing larger, as the brunette's chocolate locks gradually changed red.

Red, the colour of blood.

The Trickster Priest was silent, the grin still upon his cheeky face.

"You've drawn the line, Xelloss," the gentle, soothing voice whispered. "And this, my friend," a finger pointed at the mazoku's direction, its tip emanating a faint glow. "Is your line."

The Trickster Priest remained silent.

Before the man could make a move, Sylphiel stirred from her slumber. "What…what's going on?"

Immediately, the terrifying sight disappeared with a snap of the finger. A smiling Ryo offered his arm to the lady. "Shall we head back?"

Sylphiel took the brunette's arm, flushing. As they headed back in a leisurely stroll, the timid girl wondered quietly to herself whether she had seen Xelloss right beside Ryo just a minute ago. Her dashing companion flashed a charming smile.

Must have been my imagination, Sylphiel giggled quite hysterically in reply.