<span style="font-style: italic">Alais</span><br/><br/>Alais clenched her fists, fingernails cutting into her palms so tightly she could feel blood rise.  â€œClearly, I am not a dead woman, Stella,â€ she said, nearly growling.  When Stella continued, speaking about Zane, Alaisâ€™s temper flared as it hadnâ€™t for over 15 years, anger burning so hot she was surprised flames werenâ€™t bursting off of her.  Instead, and perhaps more logically, for her, the shadows were stirring, swirling around her.  â€œWhat do you know, Stella?â€ Alais said, tossing her hair back, expression cold.  Stalking close to the other woman, she ran her fingers across the daggers belted at her waist, a habit that arose whenever she felt danger, or a fight coming on.  â€œYou know nothing about my reasons.  You think it didnâ€™t hurt me?â€  Her voice was low and soft as she spoke, and she was tempted to actually hit her, to grab her word from her back and fight, but this was Stella, not an enemy.  â€œI only did what I thought was best.â€<br/><br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">Liliane</span><br/><br/><br/>Liliane giggled at Tetramisâ€™s enthusiasm, and did her best to do what she said.  â€œThanks, and Iâ€™ll try.â€  Her curiosity was somewhat abated now, and while she had more questions, she could wait till later.  They were passing a window, and something caught her eye outside, on the ground.  Stepping close to the glass, she peered into the night.<br/><br/>There were two people out there, one of whom was distressingly familiar.<span style="font-style: italic">Mom! </span>Liliane pressed her fingers against the glass, as close as she could.<span style="font-style: italic">Why is she here?  </span>The night rippled oddly, darkness twisting and turning around the tall, dark haired woman.  Liliane watched her mom finger something at her waist, a habit she recognized but had never realized the significance of.  Now, she could see silver glinting there, knives that she didnâ€™t doubt were deadly sharp.  â€œTheyâ€™re fighting!â€ she exclaimed, feeling her mouth dry up with fear.