1 THE GIFT OF THE MAZOUKU - A SLAYERS STORY

2 Chapter 8 - Interlude II

I hope you have not been leading a double life, pretending to be wicked and really being good all the time. That would be hypocrisy. - Oscar Wilde

The instant Xelloss realized where he was, he knew he was in big trouble.

Oh Shit!

He collapsed onto one knee, head bowed, "Lord Beastmaster, your humble servant awaits your orders."

Outside the cold marbled room, the sound of hundreds of wolves howling was interrupted by the click, click, clicking of sharp high-heeled shoes pacing back and forth. The owner of the shoes wore a 'tasteful' short black dress slit up the side; slits which showed off her shapely legs to the thigh when she sat, at long last. She still hadn't spoken a word.

I'm in deep shit, deep, deep.

Her beautifully red-lacquered fingernails finished off long, slender fingers, much like Xelloss's own trembling ones. The nails held an ivory- tipped cigarette holder. Zelas Metallium was currently not a happy demon Lord. She blew out a stream of smoke and asked, "What was that you were mumbling Xelloss dear?"

"At your service, my mistress."

"No, no, after that.."

"I-I am thankful for.."

"..For saving your worthless, ass out there in the Astral Plane? Something like that?"

"If I may explain," Xelloss was in his element now, "It was a mere, ehem, a serious miscalculation."

Zelas was not listening and cut him off like a split-end, "Let's evaluate the damages, shall we, Xelloss-dear? First, ONE staff for a high- level Mazouku Priest- replaceable, but. the staff maker has a backlog, a long backlog.; Last, ONE Priest and General- replaceable. Xelloss! Look at me!"

"Yes, my mistress."

"When the Dragon/Mazouku induced explosion occurred, what do you suppose would have happened to ME if I had been attempting a mind link to you through the staff?"

Deep, deep.

Xelloss blanched sweatdrops galore. "I-I didn't think of that! I miscalculated the additional powers and I really had no idea that the Dragon's mace had been affected by contact with the Outworlder weapons. I disposed of the miasma as quickly as possible, but.I AM sorry. I accept whatever punishment you impose, but I had no intentions of causing harm directly or indirectly to your person!"

"Xelloss, stand up and closer. What you've done, almost done, deserves your destruction. I can do that well actually as much as I'd like to kill you, my bosses won't let me, they have some plan for you, and with all those new openings in the hierarchy (what with Gaav's and Hellmaster's vacancies to fill and all).so I'll have to think of something much worse, and more fun, for me.ah of course.". but I won't." Puff of smoke

"Like I said, the staff will take some time to repair. Without it your powers are seriously reduced. Also in view of your spotless record for the last 1000 years, I shall spare our life. But.you have some plans for you human toys, don't you?"

"Yes, I have."

"Go ahead. Play with your toys," adding with a cruel smile, "However, you will do so without your staff for one month, maybe more."

GASP

"You will be a rather average monster- very susceptible to the kinds of pain and damage you have probably forgotten about. Oh, and you will secure Lina's POSITION for me, hmmm? What have you got to say?"

"How-how, I-I,. thank you for your generosity, for my life. May I ask a boon of you, Mistress?"

"I'm listening."

"There are some items I require to complete my tasks with Lina and her followers. May I collect them first, please?"

Puff

"Yes. You have tonight. First thing in the morning, I'll transport you back where you came from, the Dragon's home, wasn't it? You will not be able to return here until your month is up. However, I shall be dropping in from time to time to see how you are doing."

Puff, puff

"Now, come closer. Closer yet. Take off your cape and shirt."

Xelloss hesitated an eye-blink, then quickly dropped the cape, untied his sash, and pulled off his cream-colored shirt over his head and let the clothes puddle at his feet. His master stood. She took a long drag on her cigarette and leaned in close, whispering into his ear, "Just so you don't forget your place, remember, you BELONG to ME."

Xelas removed the burning cigarette from the holder, then pressed the red- hot end into his chest.

Sizzle

Over and over and over.

There was no pleasure to be had from this pain. Xelloss was most certainly suffering terribly.

The red scar spelled out:

2.1 PROPERTY OF ZELAS METALLIUM

"Now go. I've seen more than enough of you tonight.and take your clothes with you."

* * * *

Xelloss's dark aura swirled in a fury he was unable to control. Alone in his room he screamed, kicked furniture, broke everything in reach, in short, became the rampaging monster he sought to hide from the world.

Hours later he collapsed exhausted on what remained of his bed (complete with purple satin sheets) and did a mental inventory of what he needed to take along with him: one Sword of Light replacement, one proof of princehood, with fortune in jewels, one ancient book of anti-spells, 5 pairs of black silk pants, 5 cream-colored tunics with matching sashes, 12 pairs of socks with ties, 2 pairs of boots, purple pajamas oops, won't need those, spare cloak, assorted toiletries, blankets,."

When he was satisfied he'd thought of everything, he stored them all neatly in the pocket dimension hidden in his travel pouch. Xelloss stood in front of his sink and washed up. He stared at himself in the mirror.

"Damn her! A f*** brand! What if that never goes away? Shit! How am I going to carry this off without THEM finding out. Got to think of some clever excuse.I hope Lina can, will protect me once the common riff-raff Mazouku learn about my position. Shit.one Ra-Tilt and Zelgadiss can really send me to Hell with NO coming back. Arghhhhh!

Thoroughly disgusted with himself, the miserable monster-in-disgrace sat on the jumble that had been his chair and waited until morning.

He knew it was morning when the room shimmered and he felt the cold air of his passing through the Astral plane. Finally, an gnat's-breath later, Xelloss was inside Filia's bedroom, complete with Dragon Lady. There was nothing to it but to say, "Well, well, Filia-chan. Good morning!"