With no further thought, she slammed the knife home. A gasp of pain burst from her lips, no other sound, as she fell to the floor. Drawing out the knife, she saw her lifeblood spilled upon the floor, the glitter of life in her eyes fading, fading, gone. Filia’s lifeless eyes stared at the puddle of blood.

Xelloss looked away from the body and the red puddle that stained the clean blue tile of the kitchen. He stepped back, transporting to his Lord’s room at the same time. There Xelloss knelt before her throne.

“Rise.” Xelloss stood. “Is she dead?” Smoke danced lightly upwards from the cigarette as she tapped off the ashes.

“Yes Master.” Xelloss bowed his head slightly, shadowing his eyes as guilt stirred inside him.

It hadn’t been fair...

“You did well Xelloss. Your loyalty has once again been proved.”

“Thank you Master.” He murmured, stomping down mentally on a wave of guilt. “Did you need anything else?”

“No.” She waved the slender hand that held her cigarette, causing her bracelets to jangle. “You’re dismissed.”

Xelloss nodded, disappearing to his own room. Guilt washed over him in a flood. He’d forced her over the edge, manipulating her in one way or another into that last state. Xelloss leaned his staff against the wall, then undid the clasp on his cloak, twirling the cloak into a chair with a rustle of fabric.

Xelloss had lusted after her since the beginning, that sweet temper, fiery face, perfect body. Just the spirit to break. But something had happened. He’d begun to feel a possessiveness, then started to simply enjoy her company.

“One could almost say I started...” Xelloss choked on his sentence, “to love.”

A painful wave of grief raced through him. If only he had disobeyed...But to disobey or lie meant death. Even for him, her highest and most trusted servant. Xelloss sat on the windowsill, watching the waves, the now-calm sea that surrounded Wolfpack Island. The sea was beautiful, like her, like her eyes. A blank, glazed pair of sapphire eyes stared at Xelloss from his memory. Eyes that wouldn’t let him forget the guilt and grief for as long as his life lasted.