Candles flickered and writhed like dancers possessed by their passions. The shadows they cast pooled in corners like black puddles, long and deep. In darkness, any number of things may lurk, waiting patiently before rising from a predatory crouch like a wisp of smoke from a candle to pounce on the unwary prey.
Beastmaster Xelas Mettalium tapped her cigarette on the edge of a crystal ashtray, bobbing one ankle delicately as she did so. Her anklets jingled as she regarded her most powerful servant silently. Candlelight flickered across his face, his bangs hiding his eyes. He always had had lovely eyes, she mused quietly. Finally she took another drag on her cigarette and exhaled, speaking as she did so.
"Things didn't go the way you'd planned, I take it."
"Lina Inverse is with the chimera, mistress. This is a rather satisfactory development."
"Mmm, yes. If they ever breed their children should be very powerful indeed."
"Yes."
Beastmaster was silent for a second more, then she leaned forward in her overstuffed chair a bit. "Have you ever been in love, little Xelloss?" she asked.
A grin, one of years upon years of malice and evil, slowly spread across his face. His eyes remained hidden by pits of blackness, but his voice was ancient and amused. "Mazoku can't love, my mistress."
She nodded, dismissing him. "So true," she added nonchalantly. "Don't forget to shut the door on your way out."
He didn't. He walked down the dim hallway, lit only by the moonlight which fell through windows which did not really exist, his head still down. The wolves which had been prowling in the inky wells of shadow drew away from his form. Normally they would expect affection from this creature, but tonight they sensed it would be best to stay silent. Something was not right.
Xelloss kept walking. Where he was going, he was as of yet unclear. He only knew that he would need to find a place where he could forget Lina Inverse. He had been able to get over all of those who he had dared to love in the past, all it took was time.
And he had forever.