"Shh...she is waking up,"someone murmured.

Ahsid's eyes blurred and her head spun as she tried to focus on her surroundings.

"You sure you only did the Sleep spell, pal,"asked Kayla.

Dane was standing at the corner of the room, his gaze fixed on the floor. He didn't need to answer Kayla.

"Ahsid, just breathe easy and take your time. Your vision may be hazy, so, relax,"said Zen, holding her arm while propping up some pillows behind her back to help her sit up.

"Man, I am so glad you are okay, Ahsid,"whispered Noah, his eyes full of concern.

"How long..."

"Two hours, don't worry. Ethan has it under control,"informed Dane.

"Dannnee..."she moaned.

She tried to reach out for him but when she realized that he wasn't near her, dropped her hands. Noticing this, Noah sat by her right and took her hand in his. Finally, her vision cleared to reveal Kayla, Dane, Zen, Noah and an unknown girl in the room.

"Why is it that whenever I want to practice, something obnoxious always happens!"

Ahsid's eyes had a strange fire in them.

"You call that obnoxious? I thought it would be frightening for you,"said Noah, chuckling.

Ahsid grinned,"I am tougher than I look."

"Indeed,"said the girl whom Ahsid had not seen. "I am Evangelina, Evangelina Avery."

At that, two huge elaborate white wings burst out from between the back of her shoulder blades.

"An angel...am I in heaven,"asked Ahsid, her eyes widening,"you are so beautiful. I think you are the most beautiful angel to walk here."

Evangelina smiled, a serene glow emanating from her face.

"Hey,"objected Zen,"I am an angel too, you know?"

Ahsid stared confused at Zen, who gave out a sigh. Immediately, black, strong wings burst out from behind him, making her jump. Noah laughed and soon the others had joined in.

"Thank you guys. I feel better already."

But she was only hiding the hurt from her eyes so that the others would not worry much about her. She had been way too much of a burden for Dane!

As the others left to give her a moment to rest, Dane and Noah stayed behind.

"The blade. Who gave it to you,"asked Dane.

Ahsid had almost forgotten about it. Her hands trembled.

"Dane, is this really necessary,"asked Noah pleadingly. He could sense the tension in the air.

"It's okay. I guess I owe you an explanation."

She continued further,"I found it in my room in the morning after Ibrahim and Janeth had visited. I thought I would give it back when I came to the Coetus tonight. But, well,...I...um, uh..I had it in my bag. However, when I was thinking about it, it appeared in my skirt pocket immediately. That's how...how I..."

Ahsid's voice broke with emotion but Dane growled, much to her apprehension,"Ibrahim? What was he doing there? Janeth said he was alone.."

At that moment, the door burst open to reveal Ibrahim come running in.

"My dear أخت(uķt), are you well? When I heard I...."

Ibrahim noticed Dane's hard glare. "What is the matter, أخ(akh)?"

"What is this,"he growled in response, holding the golden dagger in front of him.

Ibrahim didn't look suprised.

"So, you did use it then,"asked Ibrahim, looking at Ahsid, completely ignoring Dane.

"Ibrahim, I would appreciate an honest response. Why did you give her that purposefully putting her in danger?"

His face resembled the calmness of the clouds just before the oncoming of a tempest.

"She was defenseless. Anytime a monster could have come after her in our absence and ripped her to shreds, just like today."

Ahsid flinched.

Noah protested,"Why can we not discuss this sometime else?"

Ibrahim didn't stop. "You acted foolishly putting her in danger. Not even a taser or a simple weapon at her disposal. I shudder to think of the outcome today if she had not had the weapon on her."

"You took away her humanity from her,"roared Dane, his yellow eyes blazing.

Ibrahim looked suprised. Secretly, Dane's words hurt him as he too knew Ahsid would never be the same again, what with her dance with Death at close quarters.

"Please..."

Ahsid tried to speak but no more words came out of her.

"That does it. We are going out. Settle this alone,"said Noah as he helped her stand on her feet and hobbled away down the corridor.

"Dane, you need to stop getting so emotionally attached to a mortal. She will  barely live for some years while you continue on for decades."

Dane growled again,"Till that time, she is in my care."

"If you have objections to the blade then give her any other weapon from the armoury. But, if you refuse to get her armed, I will not allow her in here."

Dane's body shook in terrible rage. "Ibrahim...."

"Facción diante de ti. Her weakness will only weaken our Coetus and make you vulnerable like today, like how you were forced to your knees."

Dane's eyes lowered. He didn't argue back. Quietly, he turned to leave.

"Dane, I don't think you have any residual doubts about her power now. So, maybe, you should stop treating her like a helpless kitten."

Dane nodded his head once and left. Ibrahim smiled. His plan had worked out better than he had thought. Quietly, he pocketed the blade, cleaning a single speck of pinkish blood on the hilt with his finger.

A fruitful start to the day indeed!