By the time Sarah and Jasmine were in the room, I was able to sit up again. My legs were weak, but I could move them. I was sitting on the edge of the bed, testing how much weight they could manage, when my friends entered.

"Chrys! What are you doing?"

I glanced up to see both of them running toward me. Sarah grabbed me by the shoulders, preventing me from standing, while Jasmine watched in horror.

"What? What's wrong?" I asked, confused.

"What do you mean?" Jasmine asked, her hands covering her mouth in shock. "Sebastian said you weren't well and needed company. You should be resting!"

"'Weren't well'? I'm fine!" I paused, then, taking a deep, calming breath. "What exactly did he tell you?"

Sarah answered. "He said something happened and that he was off to find out what. Then told us you couldn't get out of bed and wanted some company to distract you."

I slowly nodded. "I see. He probably didn't want to worry you any more than he had to."

Jasmine went pale. "Worry us? What happened, Chrys?"

I told them about training with Evan, and then my eyes burning and then waking up on the floor. How I had been unable to move or speak, and had called for Sebastian to come help me. I told them he was on his way to find Evan, and find out who might have done this.

"So you aren't sick?" Jasmine asked, her voice small with worry. "You're okay?"

I smiled at her. "I will be. I'm slowly getting back my ability to move. I was testing my legs when you two burst in and yelled at me."

Sarah released my shoulders. "I'm sorry, Chrystal. Sebastian didn't tell us the whole story. We thought you'd gotten sick somehow."

"I mean, that isn't that far away from the truth," I told her. "I coughed out most of whatever was left in my system, I think. I'm just recovering from the symptoms. He was also in a hurry to find Evan, so I'm not surprised he didn't stop to give you the rundown."

"That's true, he did look like he was trying to get somewhere quickly," Jasmine added.

I looked down at my hands, folded in my lap. "He's mad at himself for not being there to protect me. He's even angrier at Evan for leaving me on the floor alone in a ballroom."

The girls gaped at me. "Evan left you alone?!"

I nodded. "I don't think he wanted to. He had to run after whatever was after me, or find whatever was causing me to react the way I did. I remember him talking to me, but I couldn't hear him. Maybe he was trying to tell me where he was going. Maybe he was telling me to call for Sebastian. I won't know until I ask him."

They said nothing, but lowered their heads, perhaps in apology, maybe even in shame of how they acted.

I couldn't stand it. "Hey, don't worry about it. I probably would have drawn the same conclusion from what you were told. Now, instead of wallowing, how about a hand? I'd like to see if I can stand up."

At that, they sprang into action. Sarah took my right side while Jasmine went to my left. They took my arms in their hands and helped me off the bed.

It took a moment for me to get my balance, but soon I was standing again. I tentatively asked them to release me, and they did so reluctantly, and I managed to take a few careful steps. I wasn't back to myself yet, but I was getting there faster than I had expected. I guess I had my new demon body to thank for that.

I turned to my friends and smiled. "See? Good as new." I hoped they wouldn't see passed, or at least wouldn't question, the lie. I clearly had a little bit more to go, but I didn't want them to worry about me any more than they already were. I had to be strong for them. Who knew where our lives would be after the next few days? For now, we had to prepare, but I also wanted them to know that everything was okay. That I was okay, no matter what happened.

They smiled, Jasmine seeming genuinely pleased, while Sarah was clearly not buying it. She didn't say anything, though, as I made my way back over and sat on the bed.

Jasmine was the first to speak up again. "Well, what do we want to do? You said you needed company. Should we go to the movie room? Or we could take a walk if you're feeling better."

Sarah answered for me. "I think it would be best to remain here. She may be able to walk, but who knows how much of her mobility has truly come back? And with what happened to her today, I wouldn't feel comfortable with her leaving these protective wards."

Jasmine's face fell. "I didn't think about that. I was just trying to think of something that could cheer her up." She looked at me. "What would you like to do?"

I gave her a small smile. "I think we should just hang out, like we used to. Talk about everything and nothing."

She and Sarah both smiled. "Alright."