YNs' POV:

Bansha materializes next to you and smirks. "I am here. Where else would I be?"

You narrow your eyes suspiciously. "And what exactly were you up to?"

She widens her eyes, trying to look innocent, but her smirk ruins the illusion. "Why would I be up to anything?" She asks, clasping her hands together in front of her. Then she starts walking slowly around you, like a shark circling its prey. She acts so casually, you almost expect her to begin whistling a tune. If she's attempting to freak you out, it's working.

"Are you trying to make me paranoid? Well, it won't work." You finally snap at her. She merely shrugs indifferently and continues her pacing.

"What is wrong with you?!" You want to scream, but you'd rather not give her the satisfaction of seeing you crumble.

"With me?! You're the one who has become very twitchy all of a sudden."

"Then stop being weird!"

Bansha laughs a coldhearted laugh.

"Leave her alone, Bansha." Morro interrupts.

"In case you didn't notice, I haven't even touched her. You should be congratulating me for not attacking her."

"Congratulations, Bansha." Morro says sarcastically.

"I am choosing to ignore the sarcasm in your tone. By the way, you still haven't thanked me for bringing you here, Morro. It's not polite to do that, you know."

The corner of Morros' top lip twitches into the faintest hint of a snarl. "You only do things when they benefit you. So what I want to know is, what are you getting for this, and why now?"

"It's simple, really." Bansha drawls. "If you join us, I get handsomely rewarded. If not, then I will take your place as the Preeminents' right hand. Either way, I-"

"She doesn't have hands, dummy." You interrupt.

"What?"

"The Preeminent doesn't have hands, she has tentacles. You should've paid more attention in Biology class, Bansha."

Bansha looks like she wants to incinerate you, but she grits her ghostly teeth and continues, "-Either way, I'll be compensated for my efforts. But what about you, Morro? If you don't join us, I'll make sure that you will never see your mother again, one way or another."

Morro bites his lip. "Give me a moment to confer with the ladies. So, not you, obviously. YN? Mother?" He holds out both his arms, and you and Vivienne each take hold of one. Together, you walk away from Bansha.

Once you're out of earshot, you lean your heads together conspiratorially.

"Well, obviously that's not happening. Right, Morro?" You say immediately.

He nods. "Never again will I ally myself with the Preeminent. But, Momma, if I never see you..."

"You do what you must, Morro. It is the right thing to do, so do it. Now, what is this about the Preeminent..?" She takes hold of his ear and forces him to stand on his tip-toes.

"Ow-ow-ow! Momma, that hurts-!"

"Morro knows better than to do that now! He's redeemed himself!" You say quickly, laughing. Morro stares at you in horror as his mother releases him.

"YN-!" He whispers.

"What is it, Morro?"

He points wordlessly at you. You look down at your arm, and a cold, numb feeling spreads from your heart to the rest of your body as despair washes over you. "No-no-no-no-no!" You mumble tearfully.

Bansha cackles triumphantly and sidles up next to you. "I said that I wouldn't touch you. I didn't need to." She tells you evilly. You can only stand and stare silently at your arm, which you can now see straight through.

A.N.  Whoa!  Shocker!  YN's now a ghost?!!!  *Freaking out*