Chapter 3: On the Road.
Once they were on the road, their small group spread out, Gourry and Lina acting as point, sandwiching Xellos and Imbri between themselves and Amelia and Zelgadis. Less than ten minutes out of town, Xellos turned to Imbri, that grin on his face and asked innocently,
"I didn't make you nervous back there, did I?" Imbri stuck her chin into the air and sniffed haughtily.
"Of course you didn't." Xellos's grin got wider.
"Then why was your bosom heaving so nicely?"
"WHAT??!!" Imbri made a flying tackle and sent Xellos soaring into the bushes. With a small smile, she muttered, "Pervert."
Up ahead, Lina and Gourry had turned at Imbri's shout. Lina smiled in satisfaction while Gourry murmured,
"I wonder if she's related to Lina?"
"What, Gourry? Did you say something?" Lina asked, turning to him.
"Nothing-I was just talking to myself." Lina nodded. She wasn't surprised.
***
The group's first day of travel went without incident, disappointing Lina and Imbri, who really had wanted to fight some bandits. They set up camp quickly, Xellos disappearing when work detail was being given out. Lina and Imbri made the fire pit, Lina blasting a hole in the ground and Imbri gathering sizable rocks. Gourry went hunting, Zelgadis went with him to collect firewood, and Amelia cleared out an area for sleeping.
"Lina?" Lina looked up from her place by the fire pit. "How do you do it?"
"Do what?" Imbri shrugged.
"Travel around and fight bandits…you know, things like that." Lina laughed.
"That's the easy part! I love traveling and robbing robbers!" Imbri smiled shakily.
"Yeah…but how did you leave your family? Didn't Gourry say that you're from where we're heading?" Lina grew very sober.
"Yeah, well. Leaving was hard…but it was something that I needed to do for myself, you know?" Imbri nodded.
"You miss them?"
"Yeah." They were quiet for a minute more. "So…" Lina began. "Where are you from?" Imbri shrugged, having had time to think up a good lie.
"Well-it was a small place, no more than a few houses lumped together. We raised horses."
"And do you miss them?" Imbri shrugged. She still wasn't sure if she did or not. Sometimes…the way her mother used to cook or the way she and her father would play-fight…
"No. Not really," she stated flatly. "Here is better than there. Anywhere is better than there." Lina regarded her thoughtfully in the ensuing silence.
"Are you"-
"Dinner's here!" Gourry called, crashing back through the brush surrounding their camp sight. Zelgadis wasn't far behind him. The moment was broken as Imbri took the firewood from Zel and arranged it in the pit.
"FIREBALL!" Lina shouted, pointing at the logs. They burst into flame before a fascinated Imbri. The flames licked at the wood and reflected in Imbri's brown eyes.
"Man," she whispered, "I would give anything to be able to do that."
"Really?" Imbri whipped around and grabbed Xellos by the throat.
"Dammit! Don't you ever make noise?" Despite her firm grip, he smiled and murmured,
"Only in bed." With a snort that might have been laughter, she released his trachea and sat back next to him. It was going to be a long journey.
***
Nearing the end of the week, the group hit pay dirt, so to speak. Imbri and Lina had been walking along, talking to one another in the front when a group of men came out of the trees around them. The band of men surrounded the smaller group, looking exactly like Imbri had pictured bandits would look like. They were dirty, rag-tag, and just generally stupid looking.
"Are these what we're looking for?" Imbri asked Lina quietly. Lina grinned and cracked her knuckles.
"Oh, yeah."
"All right, folks," a tall, grubby man in bedraggled clothing spoke. Imbri pinpointed him as the probable leader. "Just hand us over all of you money peacefully and we'll let ya go unharmed." He spoke to Gourry, who had moved up beside Lina, one hand resting on the hilt of his sword. The man looked back over at Imbri, Lina, and towards Amelia, who had also moved up. "Well…we'll let the men go. You ladies sure are pretty." The rest of the gang chuckled lewdly. "We might just keep you three." Lina smiled.
"Well. I suppose we'll just see about that." Imbri stepped up.
"How about instead…you boys give us your money?" Lina grinned over at the younger girl.
"I think you're getting the hang of it. Wanna try out that knife of yours?" Imbri nodded, a somewhat savage light illuminating her eyes. Xellos watched from a nearby tree. His Mazoku vision caught the light in her eyes as she drew the blade from it's sheath.
"Oh, so the little girlies wanna fight, eh?" The rest of the band laughed as if on cue. Lina and Imbri looked at each other and nodded. Lina took out her hardly used sword and advanced, Imbri right beside her. "Get 'em boys!"
Imbri rushed forward, knife gripped tightly, attacking the leader with a shriek. Caught by surprise at her sudden onslaught, the man didn't have the time or the wit to block her strike. Her knife sank into his stomach and she twisted, yanking the knife out and looking for her next victim to slash. Xellos was the only one who saw the pale red aura flare around her hands and the gleam that lit her eye.
***
Nearly two weeks later, the group arrived at the Lonesome Dragon Inn, just outside of Zephilia. It was the first one they had come across since leaving Fergalum. Imbri, Lina, and Amelia nearly killed each other to be the first in to get a good room.
"We'll take two rooms!" Lina announced to the innkeeper. "Two beds in each room, please!"
"And you'll be paying for that…how?" Lina and Imbri grinned at each other.
"Oh…will gold do?" The innkeeper's eyes glazed over in a familiar greedy look.
"Yes, yes…now what did you want? I'm yours to command." Lina leaned forward.
"How's the food here?"
"Oh, excellent! Absolutely wonderful!"
"Woohoo! Take me to your food, mister!" The innkeeper obliged her and lead the group over to a table. Meanwhile, Xellos talked quietly to the innkeeper's assistant.
For the first time since she arrived here, Imbri ate her fill of food, indulging her senses in fillet minion covered in sautéed mushrooms. A baked potato covered with sour cream, butter, and salt found its way into her mouth, washed down with a glass of red wine. After she finished, she ordered a luscious warm chocolate cake, dripping with slowly melting whipped cream and a cherry. She ate it slowly, savoring the way it melted in her mouth, smiling when she felt the aphrodisiacs begin to kick in. When she had finished, a blissful expression was gracing her features. Her eyes were narrowed to mere slits as she gazed around her predatorily. Xellos met her gaze fully, his eyes never leaving her face. Imbri's face began to grow red, but she didn't seem to notice it.
"I think," she began, rising to her feet, "That I'm going to commandeer the baths to wash off all of this travel dirt. See you guys in the morning." Xellos watched her walk away, an amused expression on his face. Perhaps now is the right time, he thought, rising to his feet.
"Where're you going?" Lina asked between mouthfuls.
"To bed. Goodnight, everyone." Lina blinked in puzzlement at Xellos. Xellos had never said goodnight before. She shrugged it off and continued to gorge.
***(POV change)
I sank into the warm water and stretched out. The warmth wasn't helping my already raging hormones…but hey, I didn't really mind.
"How's the water?" I didn't even bother to turn around or yell. I was entirely too relaxed to do anything but smile.
"Mmmm. Wonderful." I stretched out some more, sinking lower into the steaming water.
"Do you mind if I join you?" I expended the precious energy necessary to shrug.
"Whatever." He chuckled, barely audible to me. I felt the ripples in the water as he slipped in beside me, but I didn't bother to open my eyes. When I finally decided to open them, I wished I hadn't.
Xellos was sitting next to me, hands behind his head and his eyes closed; an expression mirroring my own graced his handsome features. I had never seen him without his cape on, even when he was sleeping. Now, however he was devoid of any shirt at all…or pants, for that matter. His purple hair was damp from the steam and hanging in his face. A warmth that had nothing to do with the water, wine, or chocolate spread through me. Love? I mentally scoffed myself. Love is a trick. Nothing more than illusion. That was a lesson that I knew very well. I allowed my slight melancholy to dissipate, relaxing again. Just chill. There is nothing but myself and the water and a nearly naked Xellos. Nothing else. No feeling, no emotion, no-oh God he's sexy. My heart began beating faster and faster. Xellos sat quietly, seemingly completely oblivious to me.
***(POV change)
It seems my presence has a strange effect on Imbri. She was rather peaceful before, but just me arriving stirred up something in her consciousness that she tried to repress. Ah, well, that's the way it goes sometimes. I looked over at her. Imbri was staring resolutely ahead, effectively acting relaxed. I gently touched her shoulder. She twitched slightly, but didn't acknowledge that I had startled her.
"You look tense," I murmured. She laughed nervously.
"No, I'm fine, really."
"Here." I physically moved her, situating her in front of me. Imbri immediately tensed, her back straight and rigid. "Relax," I whispered in her ear. She shivered slightly and I smiled. My job was going perfectly. Then I began to knead her shoulders.
***(POV change)
Xellos's hands were hot as they touched my shoulders. The heat didn't burn, though, it sank into my skin, making me drowsy. His hands dug into my muscles, rubbing out any lingering soreness and loosening them. I couldn't have been tense then even if I had wanted to. My eyes began to close again, the aphrodisiac feeling rushing back. I leaned back against Xellos. His chest radiated the same heat and warmed my back. That warm feeling started again…tingling up my spine. It was actually extremely pleasant.
Soon, his hands began moving down my arms, massaging me slowly. Gently, he reached my wrists and began to slowly and methodically rub their insets, working his way to my fingers. The warmth that had begun was spreading all over my body. Xellos's light touch was almost unbearably sensual. "Mmmm," I sighed.
***(POV change)
Trailing his fingers lightly along her skin, Xellos moved his massage to Imbri's back. She arched her back, then leaned into his touch. Her lips parted and her head lolled back onto Xellos's shoulder.
"That feels wonderful," she purred into his ear, reaching an arm back to caress the side of his face. Xellos held her hand there and moved his face so that he could kiss her palm. He heard he gasp in surprise, but she didn't try to pull away. Now, the thought struck him. He pulled her hand away and leaned over, kissing Imbri's lips. Her brown eyes shot open in surprise, but they shut quickly as she gave over to the sensations rushing through her body. Xellos chewed on her lower lip gently.
Something within Imbri snapped at that moment. The feelings (and hormones) surging through her already emotionally unstable body were too much. Her eyes flashed open once again and she ripped her hand out of Xellos's.
Xellos watched something flicker in her piercing gaze. She stood up quickly, throwing Xellos off balance. Then, to his surprise, she grinned.
"Xellos," she whispered. "You shouldn't toy with me like that."
"And why not?" he replied, rising to his feet to face her. She moved to him, breasts pressed against his bare chest.
"Because I might do this," she purred, yanking him down and kissing him passionately. Xellos was slightly taken aback by Imbri's aura. It was like nothing he had seen before-the green that normally surrounded her, tinged with a violet passion and colored blood red with, not rage, but insanity. It was the same insanity that he had seen when she was fighting. He liked it.
Imbri had grabbed him by the shoulders and was pressing herself against him, nails digging into his flesh. Xellos wrapped his arms around her and teleported them both to the room he had rented earlier. Imbri landed on a soft bed, Xellos on top of her. And then, she was no longer in control. Xellos seized her mouth, feral now that Imbri's seduction was complete.
***
BAM! BAM! BAM!
"Hello? Are you awake, yet, Xellos-san? We've got go now!" Amelia's voice drifted through the door. "Xellos-san?"
"Here, Amelia, let me do that. You go down and help Zel to make sure everyone has their stuff," Lina said kindly.
"'Kay!"
"Xellos! Wake up you BUM!!!" No answer. Lina shrugged and grinned. "All right, you leave me no choice! FIREBALL!!" Lina pushed open the door, being careful not to touch the melted doorknob, and stepped into Xellos's bedroom. "Now, Xellos, it's time to wa"- Lina stopped abruptly at the sight before her. Xellos and Imbri were sleeping soundly in Xellos's bed amidst a tangled of bed sheets and limbs. Imbri had a small smile on her face. "Um. Yeah." Wide-eyed, Lina turned to walk out of the room.
"What's the matter, Lina-san?" Xellos murmured, one eye open and looking directly at her. It gave Lina the creeps.
"Nothing. I just came to tell you that we're getting ready to leave, and to ask you if you'd seen Imbri anywhere." She lifted an eyebrow at them. "Which you obviously have." Xellos grinned and opened his other eye.
"Oh, I've seen Imbri everywhere," he purred, looking his most sinister as he stroked Imbri's face. Her smile widened and she nuzzled against him, still deeply asleep.
"Well, wake her up, and get your stuff together, 'cause we're going to leave immediately for those gems." Lina's face was bright red and she knew it.
"Sure thing, boss-lady," Xellos said, his Trickster face on again. As Lina left them alone, she wondered to herself if Imbri knew what Xellos was.
***
After Lina had retreated, Xellos propped himself up on one elbow and looked down at the girl. She had a peaceful expression on her face. Not even the darkness in her soul could shadow that peace. He touched a finger to her lips and she began to stir. Imbri's eyes opened and eyed Xellos's finger. Xellos felt a shock run through him as Imbri licked her lips, catching his finger in the process. Then, she bit his finger. Xellos moaned in pleasure as she alternately gnawed and suckled on his digit thoughtfully.
"Do we really have to get up?" she mumbled around his finger.
"'Fraid so, Imbri-chan," he replied. She sighed and threw off the sheets. As soon as she stood, though, a moan of pain escaped from her. "Anything the matter?" She sat back down.
"Yeah, something's the matter," she snapped. "I'm sore as Hell, and in places I didn't even know existed." Xellos smirked.
"Potty mouth." She glared at him.
"Well you sure weren't complaining about my mouth last night." Xellos pulled her over to him and nibbled on her ear.
"Not complaining now."
"Mmm…got to get up, Xel…" He let her go and watched as she put on her hastily discarded undergarments. She looked around for the rest of her clothes and realized that they weren't there. "Aww, shit. What a pain in the as"- Suddenly Xellos was beside her, handing her his discarded shirt. She put it on and blushed faintly. "Thanks. I'll return this one," she promised. Xellos pulled on his pants and nodded.
"Good, that's my last one." Imbri slipped out the door and into the room she was supposed to have slept in. Her clothes were right where she left them. With a relieved sigh, she slipped on her pants and kept Xellos's shirt. She buckled her dagger belt around her waist and pulled on her boots. Bundling up the rest of her clothes into the knapsack and giving her hair a quick brushing, she went back to Xellos's room. When she entered, he raised an eyebrow at her (or, rather, his) shirt.
"Ack, don't worry, you'll get your shirt back," she muttered. With a thoughtful smirk, she added as he put the shirt she gave him on, "Though I'd rather you didn't wear a shirt at all." Xellos shot her a look as he fastened his cape back on.
"You'd like that, wouldn't you?" Imbri licked her lips, Cheshire grin still in place.
"Wouldn't I, though." Xellos chuckled.
"Pervert." She punched him as they walked out the door.
"Well, I got it from you, so don't whine."
***
Lina paced in the front of the Lonesome Dragon Inn, hands behind her back and a worried expression on her face. She liked Imbri a lot. In fact, she was like a younger sister to her. This thing with Xellos couldn't possibly end well. Mazoku don't love. They don't like to feel love or happiness; they don't have feelings. It just didn't make any sense whatsoever. Xellos never did anything to benefit anyone else but himself and his master, either. Imbri didn't seem to realize what Xellos was. Maybe she should tell her.
"Lina-san? Is something wrong? Where's Xellos-san and Imbri-san?"
"They're…umm. They'll be out in a minute, Amelia."
"Okay." Eventually, Imbri and Xellos came out, packed and ready to go.
"Well you two sure took your sweet time," she said suspiciously. Imbri muttered something under her breath.
"I couldn't find my clothes."
"What was that?"
"Nothing, Lina!"
***
Two days, and some awkward moments involving Imbri, Xellos, and a bar of melted chocolate later, Lina and company found themselves at the gate to a creepy old temple. Lina looked around her, hands on her hips and a disgusted expression on her face. Imbri came up beside her.
"Do you get these creepy, abandoned temples often?"
"You have no idea," Zelgadis stated from Lina's other side.
"Well, let's go in!" Imbri looked back at her lover, who was staring thoughtfully at the temple, his eyes open. She wondered what he was thinking about.
Geez, Juu-ou. Do you think you could have made this any more cheesy? This was waaay to predictable for you. Imbri blinked in surprise. Where had that thought come from? She looked at Xellos again. Then her eyes narrowed. Who was Juu-ou?
"Imbri-san! Aren't you coming with us?" Imbri started and grabbed Xellos's arm, yanking him after her into the temple. Inside was dark. Lina cast a small light spell. To augment it, Gourry drew his sword.
"Light come forth!"
"Oooh," Imbri breathed. "Shiny!"
"Actually, it's more luminous."
"Shut up, Xellos. You're ruining my moment here."
"Gomen, Imbri-chan."
"Whatever."
"Oh, I'm hurt! You don't think I'm sorry?" Xellos pouted. Imbri grinned.
"You are sorry. And you're not hurt. I could change that, if you wanted, though…" she suggested, wriggling an eyebrow.
"Later, Imbri-chan," Xellos promised. "Let's go see where the others have gotten to." Imbri looked around. Sure enough, Lina and the gang had all gone ahead, leaving them alone in the dark.
"Xellos…could you make one of those lights Lina has?" Imbri asked nervously.
"What?" he teased. "Is Imbri-chan afraid of the dark?"
"N-n-no! Imbri-chan is not afraid of the dark," she retorted. Imbri felt something crawling across her shoulder. She shrieked.
"Not afraid of the dark, eh?" Xellos conjured a light to reveal his fingers were the "bugs" on her shoulder. Imbri shot a withering glance at him, eyes smoldering.
"Xellos…"
"Eh heh heh heh." Xellos backed away from the more-than-slightly-psychotic girl. Her aura was getting that strange red gleam again. "This way!" He pointed with his staff. It was the opposite direction Lina and company had chosen, but he decided not to tell her that. Imbri sighed and followed him down the passageway.
***
"Hey…Lina?"
"Yeah, Gourry?"
"Where'd Imbri and Xellos go?" Lina whipped around. Sure enough, Jellyfish-for-brains was right. Imbri and Xellos were nowhere to be seen. She sighed, frustrated.
"I don't know Gourry. We can't go back for them, we need to find those gems. They'll be okay." At least, she prayed they would. Xellos, if you let anything happen to Imbri, I'll Dragon Slave your Mazoku ass.
"Who dares to enter the Temple of Zephil, patron of wine?" Amelia gulped and ducked behind Zelgadis.
"I'm Lina Inverse. Who're you?"
"I am Cabernet, servant of the"- the booming voice paused. "You're Lina Inverse?" Lina's face darkened and her eyes narrowed.
"Got a problem with that, buddy?"
"No, not really. I just didn't expect someone with such small breasts."
"Oh," Amelia began.
"Shit," Zelgadis finished.
"Duck!" Gourry yelled.
"WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY!!!????" Lina screamed, eyes blazing as she raised her hands. "FLARE ARROW!"
***
"Did you hear something?" Xellos asked, cocking his head to one side.
"Nope! Saaay, what's that?"
***
"That wasn't necessary, you know," the voice muttered, stepping out from behind the large, disused alter. "Look at this, you ruined my new tunic!" The man's tunic was very burnt. Lina didn't care.
"You deserved it! You shouldn't call the greatest and most beautiful sorcery genius in the universe names!!" The fried Cabernet fell down in the typical anime style. When he got up, he was…slightly mad.
"Why, you…you small-breasted, impudent little tart! Where do you go off frying the high priest of Zephil! Why I ought to"-
"Ought to what?! Huh? Don't make me Dragon Slave this pathetic little excuse for a temple into oblivion!!"
***
"Ooh…shiny!" Imbri whispered, mesmerized by the glinting silver and the green gems. Xellos nodded, impressed. Juu-ou-sama really outdid herself on these "relics." Imbri looked up sharply. There was that voice again…and that Juu-ou person. I wonder if that's…Naw, it's just my imagination.
"Here," Xellos said, picking up the necklace and the jeweled brow band. "Try them on." Imbri looked a little dubious.
"Shouldn't we wait for Lina and the others?"
"Why? Just try them on. They'll look great on you." He brushed her hair back from the nape of her neck, making sure that his fingers caressed her neck. She shivered at his touch and let his fasten the heavy silver necklace around her throat. She sighed as he ran his fingers through her hair, lifting it from her forehead as he settled the brow band across her forehead. Then he fastened the emerald earrings to her lobes, nibbling her ears and neck as he did so. When he finished, Imbri felt power surge through her. The emeralds began to glow eerily.
"Xellos? What's happening?" Her voice was strangely calm.
"The gems are adjusting to your aura. No one else will be able to use them but you, now."
"What'd you do, Xellos?!" she cried, voice breaking. "Lina's going to kill me, now! You know how much she wanted these gems!"
"Relax, Lina already has talismans. She was just planning to sell these."
"But how can I use them? I don't have magic! I'm as mundane as they get. None, nadda, zip. No magic for Imbri-chan, got it?" Xellos waggled a finger at her.
"Now, now, Imbri-chan. Everyone has magic. Some just don't have enough to use it in spell casting. Others just don't have the will to use it."
"Well, then, I don't have either of those, so this is a silly conversation." Imbri reached for the clasp around her neck, but found that it had disappeared. "Xellos! It won't come off! Get it off, now!"
"I can't, Imbri." His voice was very serious. "The gems are attuned to you, now. They won't come off until your death. You have both the power and the will. You just needed a catalyst. These talismans are the catalyst." He looked Imbri in the eye. She hadn't realized just how threatening he could be. Just like my Dad. Imbri gulped.
"No. You can't be like him," she whispered to herself.
"What was that?" She looked back at him, eyes wide. Xellos's eyes were closed, and he looked unassuming once more. Xellos could sense the fear in her aura. She was afraid of him, and that puzzled him. What had he done to make her afraid of him? I hope I haven't blown this. Juu-ou-sama will be very angry if I did.
"What was that?" Imbri replied to his question, looking around in puzzlement. "Who said that?"
"Imbri-chan, no one said anything. Now what was it you said a minute ago?"
"Oh, it was nothing. I was just talking to myself." With a sigh, she straightened and asked, "So, if I can't get rid of these things, how do I use them?"
"Focus your mind to what you want to do. We'll start with a light like the one Lina-san had, okay?" Imbri nodded and tried to focus her mind of creating a single white light, like a small globe, in the palm of her hand. She had dreamed of being able to do something like this since she was a little girl. To have the power to make something explode or to create light… "Watch it, Imbri!" Xellos shouted, nearly being blinded by the intensity of the light. She giggled and lowered the will she forced into the spell.
"Gomen nasai, Xel-chan," she mimicked him. The light was now akin to that of a candle. Xellos breathed out a shaky breath. This girl was going to end up being dangerous with magic. Juu-ou was right, she has immense potential, he thought.
"Who is that?"
"Who is who, Imbri-chan?"
"Someone keeps talking about a 'Juu-ou.' Who is that? Who keeps talking?" She let out a frustrated snarl. Xellos was shocked. For the first time in nearly a thousand years, Xellos felt disturbed. She could hear his thoughts. She was telepathic?
"How long have you been hearing this voice?"
"It's only been about…" she thought hard. "Oh, about four times. Why?" Xellos chuckled and rubbed the back of his head.
"No reason, just curious." Imbri shrugged.
"Oh well. Let's go find everyone else! Come on, Xel!" She grabbed his arm and dragged him back the way they came.
"No need to pull, I'm coming!"
***
"Now, now, Lina-san," Amelia began. "There's no reason for you to Dragon Slave this place…"
"Go ahead and try it, you little red-haired harlot!"
"Um, Mister, I wouldn't do that if I were you," Gourry said wisely.
"I'm Cabernet! The Priest of Zephil! No one may oppose me or my great master! Mwahahahahaha!!!"
"What a bunch of hot air," Zelgadis muttered. Lina nodded.
"Hey guys! We're baaack!" a familiar voice sing-songed from behind them. Lina whipped around, grinning when she saw Imbri dragging a groaning Xellos behind her.
"Imbri-san! I'm glad you're all right!" Amelia cried, hugging Imbri.
"Um. Okay, Amelia. I'm fine. Really. I wasn't even in danger. But I learned something new!"
"Really?" Lina asked.
"Hel-lo? Have you forgotten I'm here?" Imbri looked at the roasted guy who was whining. "Don't turn your back on me! I'm Cabernet! Servant of"-
"Shut up! I'm busy trying to talk here," Imbri yelled at the man. "Sheesh. How rude."
"You little strumpet! Don't dismiss me so easily!"
"Strumpet?!" Imbri's eye twitched. "Lina? Is this a bad guy?"
"Well, he barely fits the bill. Actually, he's more like an arrogant pompous windbag, but for all intents and purposes, he's the enemy." Imbri grinned ferally.
"Good." She closed her eyes and concentrated briefly on creating what she had wanted to do all along. "FIREBALL!"
The other four Slayers dropped to the ground in shock as a red light formed around Imbri's hand. With a satisfied smirk, Imbri released the powerful Fireball straight at the offending windbag.
"Oh, damn! Not again!" he whined, smoke rising from his incinerated body. Imbri laughed and flashed a "V is for victory" sign. "Oh yeah, who rules?"
"How did you do that?" Lina asked, jaw nearly on the floor. "I didn't know you had any magic."
"I didn't know, either. We found those talismans, though, and they catalyzed the power I had so that I could use it to create spells."
"Are those my talismans?"
"Eh heh, heh, heh. Don't be mad, Lina, please! You already have so much power." Lina huffed and crossed her arms.
"Well, if you just give them to me now…"
"I, uh, can't."
"Why not?"
"Well…they kind of, um"-
"What she means is that they won't come off her until her death," Xellos supplied helpfully. Lina glared at Imbri, who shrunk away, hiding behind Xellos's cape. Then she sighed.
"Fine. If that's the way it is, then so be it. I was just going to sell them, anyway. I guess they'll be more useful to me on you than they would be on someone I'm not even traveling with." Imbri grinned and ran from behind Xellos to give Lina a huge hug.
"Thanks for not killing me, Lina!" Lina muttered something under her breath, turning to leave the temple.
"What was that, Lina-san?" Xellos asked.
"I said that you probably put her up to it, Xellos."
"Now where would you get that idea from, Lina-san? Really. Don't you trust me?" Lina snorted.
"About as much as I trust my sister." Lina stopped dead in her tracks. A look of pure terror froze on her face. "Oh. No. She'll find me…she'll always find me. Don't let her find me!"
The hysterical girl clung to Gourry's shirt. He patted her back and stroked her hair soothingly.
"It's all right, Lina. She won't find you. We won't let her get you, don't worry." Imbri looked at Xellos.
"What's that about?" Xellos grinned and rubbed the back of his head.
"Well, Imbri-chan, that is a secret."
"Grrrr…Xel-chan?" Imbri's voice had a strained note to it.
"Yes?"
"Do you want to sleep on the couch tonight?"
"We get a couch?" he asked wistfully.
Once they were on the road, their small group spread out, Gourry and Lina acting as point, sandwiching Xellos and Imbri between themselves and Amelia and Zelgadis. Less than ten minutes out of town, Xellos turned to Imbri, that grin on his face and asked innocently,
"I didn't make you nervous back there, did I?" Imbri stuck her chin into the air and sniffed haughtily.
"Of course you didn't." Xellos's grin got wider.
"Then why was your bosom heaving so nicely?"
"WHAT??!!" Imbri made a flying tackle and sent Xellos soaring into the bushes. With a small smile, she muttered, "Pervert."
Up ahead, Lina and Gourry had turned at Imbri's shout. Lina smiled in satisfaction while Gourry murmured,
"I wonder if she's related to Lina?"
"What, Gourry? Did you say something?" Lina asked, turning to him.
"Nothing-I was just talking to myself." Lina nodded. She wasn't surprised.
***
The group's first day of travel went without incident, disappointing Lina and Imbri, who really had wanted to fight some bandits. They set up camp quickly, Xellos disappearing when work detail was being given out. Lina and Imbri made the fire pit, Lina blasting a hole in the ground and Imbri gathering sizable rocks. Gourry went hunting, Zelgadis went with him to collect firewood, and Amelia cleared out an area for sleeping.
"Lina?" Lina looked up from her place by the fire pit. "How do you do it?"
"Do what?" Imbri shrugged.
"Travel around and fight bandits…you know, things like that." Lina laughed.
"That's the easy part! I love traveling and robbing robbers!" Imbri smiled shakily.
"Yeah…but how did you leave your family? Didn't Gourry say that you're from where we're heading?" Lina grew very sober.
"Yeah, well. Leaving was hard…but it was something that I needed to do for myself, you know?" Imbri nodded.
"You miss them?"
"Yeah." They were quiet for a minute more. "So…" Lina began. "Where are you from?" Imbri shrugged, having had time to think up a good lie.
"Well-it was a small place, no more than a few houses lumped together. We raised horses."
"And do you miss them?" Imbri shrugged. She still wasn't sure if she did or not. Sometimes…the way her mother used to cook or the way she and her father would play-fight…
"No. Not really," she stated flatly. "Here is better than there. Anywhere is better than there." Lina regarded her thoughtfully in the ensuing silence.
"Are you"-
"Dinner's here!" Gourry called, crashing back through the brush surrounding their camp sight. Zelgadis wasn't far behind him. The moment was broken as Imbri took the firewood from Zel and arranged it in the pit.
"FIREBALL!" Lina shouted, pointing at the logs. They burst into flame before a fascinated Imbri. The flames licked at the wood and reflected in Imbri's brown eyes.
"Man," she whispered, "I would give anything to be able to do that."
"Really?" Imbri whipped around and grabbed Xellos by the throat.
"Dammit! Don't you ever make noise?" Despite her firm grip, he smiled and murmured,
"Only in bed." With a snort that might have been laughter, she released his trachea and sat back next to him. It was going to be a long journey.
***
Nearing the end of the week, the group hit pay dirt, so to speak. Imbri and Lina had been walking along, talking to one another in the front when a group of men came out of the trees around them. The band of men surrounded the smaller group, looking exactly like Imbri had pictured bandits would look like. They were dirty, rag-tag, and just generally stupid looking.
"Are these what we're looking for?" Imbri asked Lina quietly. Lina grinned and cracked her knuckles.
"Oh, yeah."
"All right, folks," a tall, grubby man in bedraggled clothing spoke. Imbri pinpointed him as the probable leader. "Just hand us over all of you money peacefully and we'll let ya go unharmed." He spoke to Gourry, who had moved up beside Lina, one hand resting on the hilt of his sword. The man looked back over at Imbri, Lina, and towards Amelia, who had also moved up. "Well…we'll let the men go. You ladies sure are pretty." The rest of the gang chuckled lewdly. "We might just keep you three." Lina smiled.
"Well. I suppose we'll just see about that." Imbri stepped up.
"How about instead…you boys give us your money?" Lina grinned over at the younger girl.
"I think you're getting the hang of it. Wanna try out that knife of yours?" Imbri nodded, a somewhat savage light illuminating her eyes. Xellos watched from a nearby tree. His Mazoku vision caught the light in her eyes as she drew the blade from it's sheath.
"Oh, so the little girlies wanna fight, eh?" The rest of the band laughed as if on cue. Lina and Imbri looked at each other and nodded. Lina took out her hardly used sword and advanced, Imbri right beside her. "Get 'em boys!"
Imbri rushed forward, knife gripped tightly, attacking the leader with a shriek. Caught by surprise at her sudden onslaught, the man didn't have the time or the wit to block her strike. Her knife sank into his stomach and she twisted, yanking the knife out and looking for her next victim to slash. Xellos was the only one who saw the pale red aura flare around her hands and the gleam that lit her eye.
***
Nearly two weeks later, the group arrived at the Lonesome Dragon Inn, just outside of Zephilia. It was the first one they had come across since leaving Fergalum. Imbri, Lina, and Amelia nearly killed each other to be the first in to get a good room.
"We'll take two rooms!" Lina announced to the innkeeper. "Two beds in each room, please!"
"And you'll be paying for that…how?" Lina and Imbri grinned at each other.
"Oh…will gold do?" The innkeeper's eyes glazed over in a familiar greedy look.
"Yes, yes…now what did you want? I'm yours to command." Lina leaned forward.
"How's the food here?"
"Oh, excellent! Absolutely wonderful!"
"Woohoo! Take me to your food, mister!" The innkeeper obliged her and lead the group over to a table. Meanwhile, Xellos talked quietly to the innkeeper's assistant.
For the first time since she arrived here, Imbri ate her fill of food, indulging her senses in fillet minion covered in sautéed mushrooms. A baked potato covered with sour cream, butter, and salt found its way into her mouth, washed down with a glass of red wine. After she finished, she ordered a luscious warm chocolate cake, dripping with slowly melting whipped cream and a cherry. She ate it slowly, savoring the way it melted in her mouth, smiling when she felt the aphrodisiacs begin to kick in. When she had finished, a blissful expression was gracing her features. Her eyes were narrowed to mere slits as she gazed around her predatorily. Xellos met her gaze fully, his eyes never leaving her face. Imbri's face began to grow red, but she didn't seem to notice it.
"I think," she began, rising to her feet, "That I'm going to commandeer the baths to wash off all of this travel dirt. See you guys in the morning." Xellos watched her walk away, an amused expression on his face. Perhaps now is the right time, he thought, rising to his feet.
"Where're you going?" Lina asked between mouthfuls.
"To bed. Goodnight, everyone." Lina blinked in puzzlement at Xellos. Xellos had never said goodnight before. She shrugged it off and continued to gorge.
***(POV change)
I sank into the warm water and stretched out. The warmth wasn't helping my already raging hormones…but hey, I didn't really mind.
"How's the water?" I didn't even bother to turn around or yell. I was entirely too relaxed to do anything but smile.
"Mmmm. Wonderful." I stretched out some more, sinking lower into the steaming water.
"Do you mind if I join you?" I expended the precious energy necessary to shrug.
"Whatever." He chuckled, barely audible to me. I felt the ripples in the water as he slipped in beside me, but I didn't bother to open my eyes. When I finally decided to open them, I wished I hadn't.
Xellos was sitting next to me, hands behind his head and his eyes closed; an expression mirroring my own graced his handsome features. I had never seen him without his cape on, even when he was sleeping. Now, however he was devoid of any shirt at all…or pants, for that matter. His purple hair was damp from the steam and hanging in his face. A warmth that had nothing to do with the water, wine, or chocolate spread through me. Love? I mentally scoffed myself. Love is a trick. Nothing more than illusion. That was a lesson that I knew very well. I allowed my slight melancholy to dissipate, relaxing again. Just chill. There is nothing but myself and the water and a nearly naked Xellos. Nothing else. No feeling, no emotion, no-oh God he's sexy. My heart began beating faster and faster. Xellos sat quietly, seemingly completely oblivious to me.
***(POV change)
It seems my presence has a strange effect on Imbri. She was rather peaceful before, but just me arriving stirred up something in her consciousness that she tried to repress. Ah, well, that's the way it goes sometimes. I looked over at her. Imbri was staring resolutely ahead, effectively acting relaxed. I gently touched her shoulder. She twitched slightly, but didn't acknowledge that I had startled her.
"You look tense," I murmured. She laughed nervously.
"No, I'm fine, really."
"Here." I physically moved her, situating her in front of me. Imbri immediately tensed, her back straight and rigid. "Relax," I whispered in her ear. She shivered slightly and I smiled. My job was going perfectly. Then I began to knead her shoulders.
***(POV change)
Xellos's hands were hot as they touched my shoulders. The heat didn't burn, though, it sank into my skin, making me drowsy. His hands dug into my muscles, rubbing out any lingering soreness and loosening them. I couldn't have been tense then even if I had wanted to. My eyes began to close again, the aphrodisiac feeling rushing back. I leaned back against Xellos. His chest radiated the same heat and warmed my back. That warm feeling started again…tingling up my spine. It was actually extremely pleasant.
Soon, his hands began moving down my arms, massaging me slowly. Gently, he reached my wrists and began to slowly and methodically rub their insets, working his way to my fingers. The warmth that had begun was spreading all over my body. Xellos's light touch was almost unbearably sensual. "Mmmm," I sighed.
***(POV change)
Trailing his fingers lightly along her skin, Xellos moved his massage to Imbri's back. She arched her back, then leaned into his touch. Her lips parted and her head lolled back onto Xellos's shoulder.
"That feels wonderful," she purred into his ear, reaching an arm back to caress the side of his face. Xellos held her hand there and moved his face so that he could kiss her palm. He heard he gasp in surprise, but she didn't try to pull away. Now, the thought struck him. He pulled her hand away and leaned over, kissing Imbri's lips. Her brown eyes shot open in surprise, but they shut quickly as she gave over to the sensations rushing through her body. Xellos chewed on her lower lip gently.
Something within Imbri snapped at that moment. The feelings (and hormones) surging through her already emotionally unstable body were too much. Her eyes flashed open once again and she ripped her hand out of Xellos's.
Xellos watched something flicker in her piercing gaze. She stood up quickly, throwing Xellos off balance. Then, to his surprise, she grinned.
"Xellos," she whispered. "You shouldn't toy with me like that."
"And why not?" he replied, rising to his feet to face her. She moved to him, breasts pressed against his bare chest.
"Because I might do this," she purred, yanking him down and kissing him passionately. Xellos was slightly taken aback by Imbri's aura. It was like nothing he had seen before-the green that normally surrounded her, tinged with a violet passion and colored blood red with, not rage, but insanity. It was the same insanity that he had seen when she was fighting. He liked it.
Imbri had grabbed him by the shoulders and was pressing herself against him, nails digging into his flesh. Xellos wrapped his arms around her and teleported them both to the room he had rented earlier. Imbri landed on a soft bed, Xellos on top of her. And then, she was no longer in control. Xellos seized her mouth, feral now that Imbri's seduction was complete.
***
BAM! BAM! BAM!
"Hello? Are you awake, yet, Xellos-san? We've got go now!" Amelia's voice drifted through the door. "Xellos-san?"
"Here, Amelia, let me do that. You go down and help Zel to make sure everyone has their stuff," Lina said kindly.
"'Kay!"
"Xellos! Wake up you BUM!!!" No answer. Lina shrugged and grinned. "All right, you leave me no choice! FIREBALL!!" Lina pushed open the door, being careful not to touch the melted doorknob, and stepped into Xellos's bedroom. "Now, Xellos, it's time to wa"- Lina stopped abruptly at the sight before her. Xellos and Imbri were sleeping soundly in Xellos's bed amidst a tangled of bed sheets and limbs. Imbri had a small smile on her face. "Um. Yeah." Wide-eyed, Lina turned to walk out of the room.
"What's the matter, Lina-san?" Xellos murmured, one eye open and looking directly at her. It gave Lina the creeps.
"Nothing. I just came to tell you that we're getting ready to leave, and to ask you if you'd seen Imbri anywhere." She lifted an eyebrow at them. "Which you obviously have." Xellos grinned and opened his other eye.
"Oh, I've seen Imbri everywhere," he purred, looking his most sinister as he stroked Imbri's face. Her smile widened and she nuzzled against him, still deeply asleep.
"Well, wake her up, and get your stuff together, 'cause we're going to leave immediately for those gems." Lina's face was bright red and she knew it.
"Sure thing, boss-lady," Xellos said, his Trickster face on again. As Lina left them alone, she wondered to herself if Imbri knew what Xellos was.
***
After Lina had retreated, Xellos propped himself up on one elbow and looked down at the girl. She had a peaceful expression on her face. Not even the darkness in her soul could shadow that peace. He touched a finger to her lips and she began to stir. Imbri's eyes opened and eyed Xellos's finger. Xellos felt a shock run through him as Imbri licked her lips, catching his finger in the process. Then, she bit his finger. Xellos moaned in pleasure as she alternately gnawed and suckled on his digit thoughtfully.
"Do we really have to get up?" she mumbled around his finger.
"'Fraid so, Imbri-chan," he replied. She sighed and threw off the sheets. As soon as she stood, though, a moan of pain escaped from her. "Anything the matter?" She sat back down.
"Yeah, something's the matter," she snapped. "I'm sore as Hell, and in places I didn't even know existed." Xellos smirked.
"Potty mouth." She glared at him.
"Well you sure weren't complaining about my mouth last night." Xellos pulled her over to him and nibbled on her ear.
"Not complaining now."
"Mmm…got to get up, Xel…" He let her go and watched as she put on her hastily discarded undergarments. She looked around for the rest of her clothes and realized that they weren't there. "Aww, shit. What a pain in the as"- Suddenly Xellos was beside her, handing her his discarded shirt. She put it on and blushed faintly. "Thanks. I'll return this one," she promised. Xellos pulled on his pants and nodded.
"Good, that's my last one." Imbri slipped out the door and into the room she was supposed to have slept in. Her clothes were right where she left them. With a relieved sigh, she slipped on her pants and kept Xellos's shirt. She buckled her dagger belt around her waist and pulled on her boots. Bundling up the rest of her clothes into the knapsack and giving her hair a quick brushing, she went back to Xellos's room. When she entered, he raised an eyebrow at her (or, rather, his) shirt.
"Ack, don't worry, you'll get your shirt back," she muttered. With a thoughtful smirk, she added as he put the shirt she gave him on, "Though I'd rather you didn't wear a shirt at all." Xellos shot her a look as he fastened his cape back on.
"You'd like that, wouldn't you?" Imbri licked her lips, Cheshire grin still in place.
"Wouldn't I, though." Xellos chuckled.
"Pervert." She punched him as they walked out the door.
"Well, I got it from you, so don't whine."
***
Lina paced in the front of the Lonesome Dragon Inn, hands behind her back and a worried expression on her face. She liked Imbri a lot. In fact, she was like a younger sister to her. This thing with Xellos couldn't possibly end well. Mazoku don't love. They don't like to feel love or happiness; they don't have feelings. It just didn't make any sense whatsoever. Xellos never did anything to benefit anyone else but himself and his master, either. Imbri didn't seem to realize what Xellos was. Maybe she should tell her.
"Lina-san? Is something wrong? Where's Xellos-san and Imbri-san?"
"They're…umm. They'll be out in a minute, Amelia."
"Okay." Eventually, Imbri and Xellos came out, packed and ready to go.
"Well you two sure took your sweet time," she said suspiciously. Imbri muttered something under her breath.
"I couldn't find my clothes."
"What was that?"
"Nothing, Lina!"
***
Two days, and some awkward moments involving Imbri, Xellos, and a bar of melted chocolate later, Lina and company found themselves at the gate to a creepy old temple. Lina looked around her, hands on her hips and a disgusted expression on her face. Imbri came up beside her.
"Do you get these creepy, abandoned temples often?"
"You have no idea," Zelgadis stated from Lina's other side.
"Well, let's go in!" Imbri looked back at her lover, who was staring thoughtfully at the temple, his eyes open. She wondered what he was thinking about.
Geez, Juu-ou. Do you think you could have made this any more cheesy? This was waaay to predictable for you. Imbri blinked in surprise. Where had that thought come from? She looked at Xellos again. Then her eyes narrowed. Who was Juu-ou?
"Imbri-san! Aren't you coming with us?" Imbri started and grabbed Xellos's arm, yanking him after her into the temple. Inside was dark. Lina cast a small light spell. To augment it, Gourry drew his sword.
"Light come forth!"
"Oooh," Imbri breathed. "Shiny!"
"Actually, it's more luminous."
"Shut up, Xellos. You're ruining my moment here."
"Gomen, Imbri-chan."
"Whatever."
"Oh, I'm hurt! You don't think I'm sorry?" Xellos pouted. Imbri grinned.
"You are sorry. And you're not hurt. I could change that, if you wanted, though…" she suggested, wriggling an eyebrow.
"Later, Imbri-chan," Xellos promised. "Let's go see where the others have gotten to." Imbri looked around. Sure enough, Lina and the gang had all gone ahead, leaving them alone in the dark.
"Xellos…could you make one of those lights Lina has?" Imbri asked nervously.
"What?" he teased. "Is Imbri-chan afraid of the dark?"
"N-n-no! Imbri-chan is not afraid of the dark," she retorted. Imbri felt something crawling across her shoulder. She shrieked.
"Not afraid of the dark, eh?" Xellos conjured a light to reveal his fingers were the "bugs" on her shoulder. Imbri shot a withering glance at him, eyes smoldering.
"Xellos…"
"Eh heh heh heh." Xellos backed away from the more-than-slightly-psychotic girl. Her aura was getting that strange red gleam again. "This way!" He pointed with his staff. It was the opposite direction Lina and company had chosen, but he decided not to tell her that. Imbri sighed and followed him down the passageway.
***
"Hey…Lina?"
"Yeah, Gourry?"
"Where'd Imbri and Xellos go?" Lina whipped around. Sure enough, Jellyfish-for-brains was right. Imbri and Xellos were nowhere to be seen. She sighed, frustrated.
"I don't know Gourry. We can't go back for them, we need to find those gems. They'll be okay." At least, she prayed they would. Xellos, if you let anything happen to Imbri, I'll Dragon Slave your Mazoku ass.
"Who dares to enter the Temple of Zephil, patron of wine?" Amelia gulped and ducked behind Zelgadis.
"I'm Lina Inverse. Who're you?"
"I am Cabernet, servant of the"- the booming voice paused. "You're Lina Inverse?" Lina's face darkened and her eyes narrowed.
"Got a problem with that, buddy?"
"No, not really. I just didn't expect someone with such small breasts."
"Oh," Amelia began.
"Shit," Zelgadis finished.
"Duck!" Gourry yelled.
"WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY!!!????" Lina screamed, eyes blazing as she raised her hands. "FLARE ARROW!"
***
"Did you hear something?" Xellos asked, cocking his head to one side.
"Nope! Saaay, what's that?"
***
"That wasn't necessary, you know," the voice muttered, stepping out from behind the large, disused alter. "Look at this, you ruined my new tunic!" The man's tunic was very burnt. Lina didn't care.
"You deserved it! You shouldn't call the greatest and most beautiful sorcery genius in the universe names!!" The fried Cabernet fell down in the typical anime style. When he got up, he was…slightly mad.
"Why, you…you small-breasted, impudent little tart! Where do you go off frying the high priest of Zephil! Why I ought to"-
"Ought to what?! Huh? Don't make me Dragon Slave this pathetic little excuse for a temple into oblivion!!"
***
"Ooh…shiny!" Imbri whispered, mesmerized by the glinting silver and the green gems. Xellos nodded, impressed. Juu-ou-sama really outdid herself on these "relics." Imbri looked up sharply. There was that voice again…and that Juu-ou person. I wonder if that's…Naw, it's just my imagination.
"Here," Xellos said, picking up the necklace and the jeweled brow band. "Try them on." Imbri looked a little dubious.
"Shouldn't we wait for Lina and the others?"
"Why? Just try them on. They'll look great on you." He brushed her hair back from the nape of her neck, making sure that his fingers caressed her neck. She shivered at his touch and let his fasten the heavy silver necklace around her throat. She sighed as he ran his fingers through her hair, lifting it from her forehead as he settled the brow band across her forehead. Then he fastened the emerald earrings to her lobes, nibbling her ears and neck as he did so. When he finished, Imbri felt power surge through her. The emeralds began to glow eerily.
"Xellos? What's happening?" Her voice was strangely calm.
"The gems are adjusting to your aura. No one else will be able to use them but you, now."
"What'd you do, Xellos?!" she cried, voice breaking. "Lina's going to kill me, now! You know how much she wanted these gems!"
"Relax, Lina already has talismans. She was just planning to sell these."
"But how can I use them? I don't have magic! I'm as mundane as they get. None, nadda, zip. No magic for Imbri-chan, got it?" Xellos waggled a finger at her.
"Now, now, Imbri-chan. Everyone has magic. Some just don't have enough to use it in spell casting. Others just don't have the will to use it."
"Well, then, I don't have either of those, so this is a silly conversation." Imbri reached for the clasp around her neck, but found that it had disappeared. "Xellos! It won't come off! Get it off, now!"
"I can't, Imbri." His voice was very serious. "The gems are attuned to you, now. They won't come off until your death. You have both the power and the will. You just needed a catalyst. These talismans are the catalyst." He looked Imbri in the eye. She hadn't realized just how threatening he could be. Just like my Dad. Imbri gulped.
"No. You can't be like him," she whispered to herself.
"What was that?" She looked back at him, eyes wide. Xellos's eyes were closed, and he looked unassuming once more. Xellos could sense the fear in her aura. She was afraid of him, and that puzzled him. What had he done to make her afraid of him? I hope I haven't blown this. Juu-ou-sama will be very angry if I did.
"What was that?" Imbri replied to his question, looking around in puzzlement. "Who said that?"
"Imbri-chan, no one said anything. Now what was it you said a minute ago?"
"Oh, it was nothing. I was just talking to myself." With a sigh, she straightened and asked, "So, if I can't get rid of these things, how do I use them?"
"Focus your mind to what you want to do. We'll start with a light like the one Lina-san had, okay?" Imbri nodded and tried to focus her mind of creating a single white light, like a small globe, in the palm of her hand. She had dreamed of being able to do something like this since she was a little girl. To have the power to make something explode or to create light… "Watch it, Imbri!" Xellos shouted, nearly being blinded by the intensity of the light. She giggled and lowered the will she forced into the spell.
"Gomen nasai, Xel-chan," she mimicked him. The light was now akin to that of a candle. Xellos breathed out a shaky breath. This girl was going to end up being dangerous with magic. Juu-ou was right, she has immense potential, he thought.
"Who is that?"
"Who is who, Imbri-chan?"
"Someone keeps talking about a 'Juu-ou.' Who is that? Who keeps talking?" She let out a frustrated snarl. Xellos was shocked. For the first time in nearly a thousand years, Xellos felt disturbed. She could hear his thoughts. She was telepathic?
"How long have you been hearing this voice?"
"It's only been about…" she thought hard. "Oh, about four times. Why?" Xellos chuckled and rubbed the back of his head.
"No reason, just curious." Imbri shrugged.
"Oh well. Let's go find everyone else! Come on, Xel!" She grabbed his arm and dragged him back the way they came.
"No need to pull, I'm coming!"
***
"Now, now, Lina-san," Amelia began. "There's no reason for you to Dragon Slave this place…"
"Go ahead and try it, you little red-haired harlot!"
"Um, Mister, I wouldn't do that if I were you," Gourry said wisely.
"I'm Cabernet! The Priest of Zephil! No one may oppose me or my great master! Mwahahahahaha!!!"
"What a bunch of hot air," Zelgadis muttered. Lina nodded.
"Hey guys! We're baaack!" a familiar voice sing-songed from behind them. Lina whipped around, grinning when she saw Imbri dragging a groaning Xellos behind her.
"Imbri-san! I'm glad you're all right!" Amelia cried, hugging Imbri.
"Um. Okay, Amelia. I'm fine. Really. I wasn't even in danger. But I learned something new!"
"Really?" Lina asked.
"Hel-lo? Have you forgotten I'm here?" Imbri looked at the roasted guy who was whining. "Don't turn your back on me! I'm Cabernet! Servant of"-
"Shut up! I'm busy trying to talk here," Imbri yelled at the man. "Sheesh. How rude."
"You little strumpet! Don't dismiss me so easily!"
"Strumpet?!" Imbri's eye twitched. "Lina? Is this a bad guy?"
"Well, he barely fits the bill. Actually, he's more like an arrogant pompous windbag, but for all intents and purposes, he's the enemy." Imbri grinned ferally.
"Good." She closed her eyes and concentrated briefly on creating what she had wanted to do all along. "FIREBALL!"
The other four Slayers dropped to the ground in shock as a red light formed around Imbri's hand. With a satisfied smirk, Imbri released the powerful Fireball straight at the offending windbag.
"Oh, damn! Not again!" he whined, smoke rising from his incinerated body. Imbri laughed and flashed a "V is for victory" sign. "Oh yeah, who rules?"
"How did you do that?" Lina asked, jaw nearly on the floor. "I didn't know you had any magic."
"I didn't know, either. We found those talismans, though, and they catalyzed the power I had so that I could use it to create spells."
"Are those my talismans?"
"Eh heh, heh, heh. Don't be mad, Lina, please! You already have so much power." Lina huffed and crossed her arms.
"Well, if you just give them to me now…"
"I, uh, can't."
"Why not?"
"Well…they kind of, um"-
"What she means is that they won't come off her until her death," Xellos supplied helpfully. Lina glared at Imbri, who shrunk away, hiding behind Xellos's cape. Then she sighed.
"Fine. If that's the way it is, then so be it. I was just going to sell them, anyway. I guess they'll be more useful to me on you than they would be on someone I'm not even traveling with." Imbri grinned and ran from behind Xellos to give Lina a huge hug.
"Thanks for not killing me, Lina!" Lina muttered something under her breath, turning to leave the temple.
"What was that, Lina-san?" Xellos asked.
"I said that you probably put her up to it, Xellos."
"Now where would you get that idea from, Lina-san? Really. Don't you trust me?" Lina snorted.
"About as much as I trust my sister." Lina stopped dead in her tracks. A look of pure terror froze on her face. "Oh. No. She'll find me…she'll always find me. Don't let her find me!"
The hysterical girl clung to Gourry's shirt. He patted her back and stroked her hair soothingly.
"It's all right, Lina. She won't find you. We won't let her get you, don't worry." Imbri looked at Xellos.
"What's that about?" Xellos grinned and rubbed the back of his head.
"Well, Imbri-chan, that is a secret."
"Grrrr…Xel-chan?" Imbri's voice had a strained note to it.
"Yes?"
"Do you want to sleep on the couch tonight?"
"We get a couch?" he asked wistfully.