A/N: Isikan's half mad with rage at the moment. Forgive him for what he's thinking of doing here.

Chapter 16- Isikan, Interrupted

When I've killed you all, then I'll be happy.

Isikan's thoughts were clear and simple. He was going to murder the Assassin Dolls once and for all.

Unfortunately for him, they really couldn't be killed once they were brought to life. Tarnechis was correct on that.

Which now made Isikan wonder how he was going to get out of this one.

Meanwhile, Irinis had finished cooking dinner and began to pass out plates full of rice and deer meat. "You eating, Isiki?"

"I have no choice, do I?" Isikan snapped.

"No, not at all," Nischelis said. "Eat—or you'll die. Take your pick."

"Where's Jinqui?" Irinis asked. "As a matter of fact, where are the others?"

"I don't know—maybe gathering mates," Nischelis said. "I have mine locked in my chamber."

Isikan rolled his eyes.

Irinis laughed. "I haven't looked yet. Maybe when we further establish ourselves."

"Good idea," Nischelis agreed. "I gotta say, this is delicious. How did you learn to make food like this?"

"I went into the mortals' village one day and just sat in the kitchen of this really cute girl and watched her cook. She didn't mind me doing that, and so she invited me there every day."

"Ah, that was why you were away so long that week," Nischelis snickered.

"Yes, and as you can see, the food was great," Irinis said. "What do you think, Isiki?"

Isikan muttered under his breath. "It's good. I haven't died yet."

"And you won't if you listen to us," Nischelis assured him.

That's what you think, Isikan thought.

"Well! What is all this? Irini, did you cook all this?" Tarnechis asked, dropping his latest conquest on the grass.

"I did—do you like it?" Irinis replied.

"Absolutely," Junquian said. "The deer is out of this world."

"I agree," Kolachin added.

"Where's Aschi and Nusi?" Nischelis asked Tarnechis.

"Somewhere in the forest," Kolachin replied before Tarnechis could speak.

"Like butthead here said," Tarnechis hissed. "I think they're in the forest."

"Oh, whatever," Nischelis groaned. "Let's eat."

Everyone continued eating.

As he ate, Isikan felt a train of thought coming through his mind.

I could join them. I do know all of this entire forest. Wonder if Nischi would allow that?

Nischelis heard every part of that thought.

He's up to something. I don't know what, but he's up to something.

Junquian also began to think something was up.

Nischi, what's he thinking?

I don't know, but I don't like it. I think he wants to join us. We could see how that goes.

But what about his friends, the princes?

Guess he's plainly saying fuck them. Why else would he be thinking like that?

I think we should see what Tanil and Kolachiki think.

We both think he's bluffing, Kolachin and Tarnechis said.

Why else would he want to join us? Tarnechis asked. He wants to become a demon—strange, very strange thought he has going.

No, he can stay Reptilian, Junquian thought. But he has the same abilities we do.

Uh huh, came the reply.

I guess we can give it a shot, Nischelis murmured. What's the worst that could happen?

"Isikan," Nischelis began, "do you really want to join us? Or is there an ulterior motive for all this?"

Isikan was stunned. "I want to join you. There isn't any motive behind it. I want to be a part of the group."

"He's gone mad," Irinis whispered to Kolachin.

"I'll say," Tarnechis muttered.

"He's bluffing," Junquian said. "There's no way he means it."

"I think we'd better include him in everything. But if he slips up and we find out what he's really up to, then we kill him," Tarnechis suggested. "I think he's gone mad indeed, but we won't know until we see the truth."

"Uh, quit talking about me? I can hear you," Isikan yelled.

"We're just discussing your request. Sorry," Nischelis apologized.

"We somehow are stunned that a Reptilian would want to join forces with us," Kolachin started to say.

"But if that's what you really want," Irinis said, "then I believe you."

"As do I," Kolachin said.

I still don't know if we can trust him, Tarnechis thought.

Give him a shot, Nischelis said. If he does slip up, then we kill him.

"Anyway," Irinis interrupted. "Has everyone finished eating? I'd like to clean up."

Nischelis rolled his eyes. "We're done, sheesh."

"Yeah, sheesh," Kolachin muttered. "What's your hurry? Got a date?"

"No, I do not. But I'd like to get some sleep. I've got a cooking lesson in the morning," Irinis shot back.

"With that girl again?" Kolachin asked. "You're whipped, pal."

"Am not!" Irinis growled.

"You are," Tarnechis laughed. "Only a whipped demon would visit a mortal just to learn how to cook."

As they argued, Isikan lay down to sleep.

Don't think for a second I don't know what you're up to, Nischelis growled, invading his thoughts. If you're doing what I think you are, I will kill you.

Easy for you to say, Isikan growled back, immediately falling asleep as he did so.

Meanwhile, back at the palace, Kelkiar began to think something was wrong.

"Neiji," he asked, "have you seen Isiki?"

"No," Neijior said. "Have you?"

"Uh uh," Kelkiar replied. "Not for a couple of days."

"I wonder where he could be," Kysandior said. "The last I saw him was a week back. I wonder if something happened to him."