"The Shale Stone, you say?"

Ahsid nodded. Berith closed his eyes for a while, then let out a sigh.

"Have you practiced magic in water?"

"Huh?"

"If you are fighting a water Dragon, you need to use your skills under water to achieve familiarity with your surroundings."

Ahsid nodded slowly. Here she had been thinking that she was actually prepared!

"I am a water user...so it should be easy for me..."

Ahsid was a great swimmer and she knew that. She had to simply figure out how to fight underwater.

"How about I give you a spell such that you will be able to breathe easily underwater while fighting? Also, you need to have a trick up your sleeve as Aquamarine is extremely strong in his own element. And you're not strong or adept enough to perform a Teleportation Spell to force him to another location."

"I see! So my only option is the piezoelectric crystal,"sighed Ahsid.

A strange chuckle escaped Berith. He eyed Ahsid, as if deep in thought. His mind was calculating about the benefits reaped if he helped her. True that Lucifer had asked to give her a reward, unconditionally at that, but more information about Aquamarine would only ruin the fun. Not to mention Lucifer was too kind for his own good, interfering with the ways of the Coetus. He decided to use his most potent power- words.

"Ahsid, this scroll here has a spell written which might help you breathe underwater-"

She was just about to interrupt but Berith narrowed his eyes, stopping her.

"-even though you might be thinking that you can use water, so what's the need? But while fighting, it is very difficult to focus on proper inhalation for many. And since you are a Gemini, I'll give you an input about Aquamarine-" with that, he leant close to whisper in her ears.

Ahsid could not believe her good luck. Berith was so kind! Little did she know that the Demon King's Personal Secretary and Notary was also know as the Baer Faced Blasphemy and Deceit.

Hail to Thee Lucifer!
The light of illumination.
For it by Thine eye doth
Our minds take sight.
Thy kingdom come, Thy will be
done so below as it is so above.
Thou art the sovereignty of
The Heavens, the Lord of light,
The Prince of Darkness and
The King of Hell.
Hallowed be Thy name.

While Lucifer stood on the platform, patiently with Berith by his side and a dozen demons placed at strategic positions to quell any threat, the announcers thumped their drums and blew their trumpets. As soon as the sermon was over, all the guests bowed to him as Lucifer smiled alluringly, raising his palm, officially declaring the start of the ball.

Sweet music swam across the room, often broken by the occasional laugh and polite conversation. Ahsid felt uncomfortable. She was extremely nervous considering her being a mortal. Dane wasn't around to talk to her and the demons had all disappeared in the crowd. Berith had escorted her back quickly so that she would not miss Lucifer's grand entrance.

She had not been disappointed! Yet, the bright lights and soft strains of the violin failed to calm her down.

"Haven't seen you around here before,"said a voice.

Piercing green eyes gazed into her's akin to a cat. She wore a simple brown gown hung low across her neck. While she had her blonde hair parted to one side, her other half was scarred, running down the entire length of her neck and shoulders, perhaps the entire right side of her body. She wore no additional jewels or fancy adornments, her red lips curved into a suspicious smile.

"I...um, yes. I'm new to one of the Coetus' invited here."

"Of course! At first glance, your aura seemed as that of a mortal but now that I'm closer, it most definitely is that of a Fae."

What?

She was most definitely not a Fae.

Ahsid failed to understand what was going on, her shoulders slightly stiff.

Could it be possible that her friends had casted some spell on her to disguise her aura as a temporary precaution and then forgotten to tell her?

Or was she...was she actually a Fae instead of a mortal?

"My name is Avyanna,"she said, stretching out her hand.

"Ahsid."

"Hey, Avyanna, long time no see,"said Noah, magically appearing beside the duo.

He gave his characteristic smile while quietly nudging Ahsid by his elbow.

Avyanna straightened up. This time, Ahsid noticed how her shoulders stiffened.

"You belong to this-"

"Sorry, Avyanna, but the dance is starting and I'd really like Ahsid to accompany me."

"Indeed-" and Avyanna turned to leave, but stopped to turn around.

"Until next time, Ahsid."

Noah let out a visible sign of relief.

"I have no idea what just happened,"mumbled out Ahsid.

"Yes! There is something about her which makes you realize that she is dangerous, isn't it? Not to mention wierd!"

"Not exactly! Do you say that because of her scars?"

Noah coloured up.

"No, I mean..."

"Noah, those scars indicate her strength, they show that no matter what, she'll always stand up for her rights. How could you be so biased?"

Noah didn't answer.

"Tea,"he offered, holding out a small white cup to her.

"No, of course not, you silly! Don't think you can cover up your mistakes by..."

"Listen Ahsid, there's no rule in this world that I have to like and be kind to everyone. I don't like her and that's that."

Ahsid was furious. She wondered what made Noah so bitter when it came to Avyanna....he was otherwise a quite kind hearted guy. Even Avyanna had tensed up and something told her that this wasn't how she usually behaved.

Could there have been bad history between the two?

"If you don't stop that lost in your thoughts thing, I won't ask you for a dance."

Ahsid rolled her eyes.

"I don't even want to...considering I can't even dance."

"Nonsense,"said Noah,"everyone can dance. Just follow my lead."

"Nopes!"

Ahsid hated dancing. The only time that she had ever so much as done something close to it was a group classical performance when she was ten. She had got up on the stage many times after, but never for a dance or song performance.

"Fine, then, let's have a cup of refreshing chai. Between I'm sorry I missed your first magical outburst. Water element is pretty impressive."

Ahsid smiled. But his next words shocked her.

"What's the catch?"

"N...no..nothing! What do you mean by that?"

Noah sighed. Getting information out of her was truly harrowing!

"Come on, Ahsid. I can feel auras. A water element would have given everything to even acquire half of your aura..."

Ahsid knew she was caught in a corner. It was just like that time when Ethan had guessed about her association with the Coetus. But, she had promised to herself that Dane should be the first to know.

"Ahsid, you know I can help you? You know I'd never hurt you."

Her resolve weakened. Anyways, it wasn't as if she was purposefully not telling Dane....she knew her reasoning was weak, but Ahsid had held on too long to the secret. She had to spill!

"Fine, just don't freak out!"