Karou, age seven, adopted daughter of Brimstone the wish monger, tossed and turned in her bed. In her dream she was being chased. She couldn't see the one chasing her, but as she turned she saw a great white wolf lunging towards her. She screamed, but the wolf landed atop her and placed his teeth around her throat. She woke up screaming. Almost immediately a snake woman appeared at her bedside. Now, to any normal child the appearance of a snake woman at the edge of her bed would set off a round of hysterical screaming and quite possibly bedwetting, but Karou was no normal child. The minute she saw the snake woman she wrapped her arms around her neck. Issa, the snake woman and Karou's adopted mother, wrapped her coils around the girl protectively.

"What's wrong, dear girl?" Issa asked. Karou just sobbed into her mother figure neck, completely inconsolable. Suddenly a large creature with the horns of a ram appeared in the doorway. He had an expression of deep concern on his face. Despite his imposing appearance he radiated compassion.

"What is this? Why are you crying, Karou?" He asked walking towards Issa and their weeping charge. He sat down on the bed. Karou sat between them. Brimstone placed a large hand upon her head. She snuggled into his side.

"There was a big white wolf after me." Karou finally sputtered out. Issa and Brimstone shared a quick glance.

"There's no wolves around here." Issa assured her.

"Even if there were, we wouldn't let them get you." Brimstone said placing the girl in his lap. She stared up at him with tear-filled eyes.

"I can't get to sleep, now. Can you tell me a story, Brimstone?" Karou asked.

Brimstone smiled down at the precious child. "Once upon a time, an angel and a devil fell in love…"
Issa gave him a sharp look.

"Well, they went through a rough patch-all loves do, you know. Well, you wouldn't you haven't ever been in love, but it's the truth."

"I don't know Brimstone, this is an awfully scary story." Issa said, interrupted him.

"I know what I'm doing, Issa." Brimstone reassured her. He stroked Karou's hair. She was already struggling to keep her eyes open as Brimstone's lap was so warm and comfortable. "The angel and the devil's friends didn't like them being together because angels and devils are always fighting. No one remembers why anymore, but they always are. It's stupid, really. The devil's friends-so-called friends-made her stop seeing the angel."
"That's a sad story!" Karou complained when she realized it wasn't going to continue.

"Well, I heard that one day the angel and the devil will meet and fall in love again or I hope they will. I hope one day angels and devils will stop fighting all the time. Sometimes, dear Karou, hope is the only thing you have." You are the hope of two races, Karou.

Karou wasn't entirely satisfied by the story, but she was soon asleep in Brimstone's lap. Brimstone picked her up and gently laid her on the bed. He kissed her cheek, then Issa kissed her forehead.

"Do you really believe that Brimstone?" Issa asked as they strode out of Karou's room.

"I hope so." Brimstone said, a rare grin coming across his face.