Revelation
Julio was quite tired before he got even part-way through the book and after a few yawns, bid Natsuki good-night, returning up the staircase with Sirene. Sirene gestured at another alcove close to the one they emerged from, and with the wave of her hand a door appeared, leading into a bedroom.
"Sorry to say but we'll have to share a bed." Sirene said with a wink. "You don't mind, right?"
"As long as you don't." Julio answered, yawning again.
Sirene smiled and took off cloak and then robe, revealing her toned body. Julio let out a whistle, causing Sirene to laugh and make a couple poses. "How about it?"
"I only just met you today, I could never." Julio said with a laugh.
"Come on, give them a squeeze at least." Sirene urged Julio, gesturing at her biceps.
"Oh alright." Julio said with a chuckle. He was quite impressed, her muscles were rock hard. "You take good care of your body."
"Of course I do." Sirene said. "Let me show you some tricks."
Sirene and Julio discussed fitness routines for a few minutes, before Julio laid down to sleep. Sirene stayed up for awhile longer to do some light reading, but noticed something interesting when she returned to the bed. Julio was in the form of a short blonde haired elf woman, and she seemed to be talking in her sleep. She decided to sit and listen, and found it intriguing.
"You're hiding secrets you don't even know." Sirene whispered, before climbing into the bed as well and quickly falling asleep.
---
Sirene awoke to screams, which was unusual considering she was inside the Curia. Opening her eyes, the short elf woman was staring at her and holding a knife to her throat. A knife? Where did she get that? Marvellous questions for later, she supposed. Slowing down time, she casually removed the knife from the hysterical woman's hands, got out of bed, and slipped on her robe. Once she was dressed, she returned to the normal flow of time, which apparently quite shocked the elf.
"Ah fuck!" She shouted. "You are her!"
"Well this is interesting." Sirene said. She surmised it might have to do with the involuntary transformation she witnessed last night, and chose to remain calm.
"Where in the hell am I?" She shouted at Sirene.
"You don't remember?" Sirene asked. The mystery was growing by the minute and she loved it. "We came here together yesterday."
"The last thing I remember is falling down a hill in the mountains. Where the FUCK is this, Sirene?" She demanded.
"This is quite the change from yesterday. You're in the Shadow Court, in my personal bedroom." Sirene answered, smiling warmly. This however, did nothing to calm the insane woman.
"Your bedroom? You fuckin raped me?" The woman screamed, looking around for a weapon. Seeing none, she snapped the fingers of her right hand, and a knife appeared in it.
"So that's how you got it." Sirene whispered.
"Listen to me. Just fuckin listen to me." The woman said, panting as she considered her options.
"I'm listening. Let's start with a name, because I'm guessing it's not Julia." Sirene said, raising her hands and speaking calmly. This did nothing to calm the woman, unfortunately.
"Who the fuck told you that name?" She asked with a barely contained wrath.
"You did you lunatic!" Sirene shouted back. "You told me that was your name." This seemed to start to calm her down.
"Ah. Just... don't call me that. Never call me that." She said, relaxing slightly. "My name's Tanya. Tanya Torvaris. The fact you didn't kill me on sight tells me maybe there's hope for me yet."
Sirene tensed slightly at that name, but didn't say anything. The Butcher of Kunde. The Facestealer. Lots of unpleasant names for Tanya, come to think of it.
"Hah, I see the look on your face." Tanya said, laughing darkly. "Which name came to you first? Lifetaker? The Shadow of Fozia? Deadhand?"
"The Butcher of Kunde." Sirene admitted, sighing.
"Alright Hero, let's sit and I'll tell you a story. After I finish, if you think I still deserve to die, do it without hesitation. Do you understand?" Tanya stated, going to sit in a chair but never taking her eyes off Sirene.
"Fine. Let's hear your story." Sirene said, sitting opposite of Tanya.
"Actually, before I begin." Tanya said, narrowing her eyes. "Just how warded is the Curia against external magic?"
"It would take an act of a God to break in." Sirene said. This seemed to satisfy Tanya, and she began to speak.