"I did it Bodhi. Ahsid is an official magic user."

Bodhi grinned a toothy grin. But, it disappeared when he saw the look on Dane's face.

"What's wrong,"he grumbled.

"I cannot meet her for a week."

"Right!"

Dane looked up at Bodhi, pushing his consciousness into the dragon's mind.

"You will not even follow it,"thought Bodhi.

"I might,"said Dane aloud.

"Pssh! You will pretend to, but then run back to her house at the very first instance to apologize."

"Am I really that predictable?"

Dane was disappointed. "Bodhi, I failed her. Putting her in the most difficult of situations. She is not ordinary."

"Certainly not. And as you mentioned, she can take care of herself."

Dane wiped the sweat from his forehead,"I just worry about her. Have you looked at her soul? It is so beautiful...I just want her to be happy."

He raised his arm and arched his fingers to create a small yellow flurry.

"Go on a job to get things out of your mind."

"Nothing can divert my mind from her now."

"Well, then, I can safely conclude that you are in love,"smirked Bodhi.

"Took you long enough,"said Dane.

It was more than impossible for dragons to oogle but Bodhi felt his eyes rolling away from his sockets.

"Wings of Adrian, Dane, you know what this means?"

"No, and I do not wish to know."

Bodhi grumbled and then raised the giant of a paw to place it lightly over Dane's head.

"My darling boy's grown up."

Dane's face was impassive. He did not answer and simply turned away to get Baby ready for a flight to somewhere distant. But before that, he opened a portal to unleash the fury that he did not know whom he felt against-perhaps at Ibrahim for barring contact, or maybe Ahsid for being successful in conjuring, or maybe Bodhi for suggesting his plan.

Maybe even the stupid world in general, as the tatoos on his arm glowed bright yellow and ochre. What was wrong with him!

"Ibrahim, where's Dane,"whispered Ahsid softly.

"Quite fine, that الوغد(alwaghad)."

Ahsid understood by his tone that it wasn't something pretty that he had called him.

"Get in here,"called out Ibrahim loudly.

The door opened to reveal a familiar figure with a thick sweater and black-red scarf around his neck, his short black hair cropped close to his face.

"Eugene,"squealed Ahsid in surprise.

"Hey, Ahsid! Congratulations on your first official magic outburst."

Ahsid laughed but trailed off when she saw Futo enter the room. Growling, she jumped up to pounce on him, her eyes darkened with fury.

"You,"growled Ahsid, as she inched closer to him, still unsteady on her feet.

"Woah! Calm down, kitten."

This infuriated her more but she was held back by Ibrahim. His stony expression made her stop, her hands falling to her sides in quiet defeat.

"Well, someone was saying that this kitten here was injured pretty bad,"snickered Futo, as he saw Evangelina and Zion enter.

Zion's face was ashen but he did not retort back. To everyone's surprise, Ahsid stretched out a hand to Futo.

"Well, for now, I think I must apologize."

Futo was dumbfounded. "You just wanted to kill me?"

"Oh, I'm sure I can think of better ways to kill you."

Futo rolled his eyes and their palms had almost touched when he sprang back.

"Oh my! Really kitten? You think you will burn me when I touch you? Not happening!"

The others were amazed.

"Is that what you were going to do,"asked Zion.

Ahsid nodded sadly, her head drooping. She realized that she had not been subtle when she had tried to relese the anger in the form of heat from her palm. Perhaps she had been too quick!

Zion burst out laughing.

"That, Ahsid, is the oldest trick in the book. Even kids don't do that."

Futo yelled at him,"Hey, man! It might be funny for you but I was just about to get my lovely hand burnt."

"I am proud of you, Ahsid,"complimented Zion with a grin,"I wish Cocky was here"-referring to Kayla.

"Why you..."

"ENOUGH!"

The silence was deafening, with Ibrahim glaring at everyone, not even sparing Ahsid.

"Ibrahim, Ouranos wishes to speak with you,"spoke out a voice.

Ahsid saw that it was that girl who had been dressed in black.

"Of course Shuri. I will see him right now."

Ibrahim left the room but not before singularly glaring at each one of them, Evangelina included.

"Shuri, are you alright,"asked Futo, his voice suddenly changing to a softer tone.

Shuri nodded and then whipped her face about.

"Who is Ahsid? Could you please come forward?"

Puzzled, she stepped forward. In the darkness before she had not been able to see properly, but now that she was so close, Ahsid saw the empty greyness in Shuri's eyes.

"Can you not see,"whispered Ahsid softly.

The girl gave a smile, simply touching her palms to Ahsid's face. She ran her hands against her face and then over her hair, which smelled of the grime and dust, considering the incident before.

"Hey, Shuri, this girl troubling you with her incessant questioning,"poked Futo.

Shuri did not answer.

She smiled at Ahsid, whispering,"You are beautiful."

"So are you, Shuri. I think the best part about you is your face,"she said as she gently lay her index finger over the grey sockets in wonder.

Shuri smiled once more. She somehow knew that Ahsid was genuine in her praise. Evangelina cleared her throat.

"Ahsid..."

"First tell me, where is Dane? Is he sulking somewhere? And Harry?"

The others looked at Zion, who squirmed under everyone's gazes. He told them about Ibrahim's punishment.

"And Harry is currently being seen to by Tanya, tbe healer of this Coetus."

"Woah, how did he manage to get himself hurt?"

This time, all eyes were on Ahsid.

"Guys, what's wrong,"panicked Ahsid.

"She doesn't remember,"whispered Evangelina sadly,"you did it to them."

Ahsid felt her world crashing. "Wait, them?"

"Zion and Harry,"answered Evangelina.

Zion grimaced,"Hey! I am quite alright."

"Where did I hurt you?"

"Ahsid, it's..."

"Zion, where did I hurt you,"pleaded Ahsid.

Zion's hand reflexively reached to the side of his stomach. Ahsid reached over, placing a hand over his.

"Does it hurt?"

"No! Of course not, I can heal pretty quick. It's just a minor scratch...keine Problem..."

Ahsid's eyes teared up. She finally understood what Dane felt when he repeatedly blamed himself for the death of his loved ones. She understood why he was so protective of her, yet cold because he was afraid of himself.

"Oh, Ahsid, don't cry,"begged Eugene.

He hated to see people getting sad and weepy in front of him.

"Hey, kitten, cheer up and stop mewling. Both Zion and Harry have had worse,"laughed Futo.

"Once and for all, I AM NOT A KITTEN,"thundered Ahsid, furiously wiping the tears which had just begun to trickle.

Zion smiled, giving her a playful nudge in the shoulder. Ahsid could not help but smile...she was finally surrounded by people whom she could trust and depend on(maybe Futo too).