Although not expecting the reaction she was receiving, Jazmyn was not completely unprepared for it. Her body sank into a defensive crouch as Den’s hand began glowing with a spell and her lips curled back over canine teeth in a silent snarl. However, she remained in perfect control as the crystal’s light did not grow and her gray eyes remained flecked with blue instead of turning to black flecks when she meant to fight. She saw how recognition lit the wizard’s eyes and the spell faded from his palm. The wolf girl relaxed as well and resumed a normal posture, leaning against the wall. Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you, I forgot myself for a moment. But yes, I am here. I had to escape that dreaded; droning dimwit called a tour guide and the crowd was driving me insane.

She fiddled with hr necklace, watching the light fade as she relaxed. A thought occurred to her as she recalled what event allowed her liberty. Her eyes flickered back to Den, an eyebrow raised and a knowing smile on her face. Was that you? Making the statue dance? She lightly noticed his appraisal, feeling slightly uncomfortable about the situation. The last time she had a set up like this, it didn’t end well.

She watched silently as the wizard shook his head, appearing to be ridding himself of a thought before returning her gaze with a question. I was forced here by my brother no less. He told me that I should learn the layout, just in case. Jazmyn shrugged, still not sure what he meant by “just in case,” but she smiled all the same.

Her eyes flickered once more to Den’s face only to realize where his eyes were. She looked away too quickly for it to be casual, a slow blush creeping up her face and neck. Nothing flashing through her mind seemed appropriate to say to she carefully allowed her eyes to looked back at his face, which she realized with every glance she was having a hard time looking away from. This time his eyes were on her tanzanite gem, curiosity written across his face. A small smile lit her features. You are allowed to ask questions, Dendasu, as long as I get to ask some of my own of course.

She allowed silence to follow his question as she figured out the best way to answer it. She wasn't surprised by it, she was actually expecting it. But she hadn't figured out how to answer it in a way he would understand. Those who had the power to shift their forms would get her meaning but others, it took a little extra. She watched as the glow left the crystal as she relaxed, the inside dimming until it resembled just a normal piece of jewelery.

Her eyes found Dendasu as she leaned against the wall. It helps me. I don't know what type of magic it is, or even if it is magic... but... but... She paused as she gaged her trust in the wizard, deciding he wasn't the type that would tell everyone. She didn't mind that some people knew her problem, she didn't want everyone knowing it though. I have a problem controlling myself, that's why I'm here. When I get angry, the wolf side of me becomes a wild beast that I can't control. It takes over my body, I morph, and bad things happen. The crystal helps me restrain my temper and the beast. It glows when its power is being used, I usually try to disappear if it gets too bad. Her eyes never left his face, seeking to read his reaction to her dark secret. She never told anyone before so she didn't know what to expect.

Rejection maybe? The only people outside her family that knew about it, learn from example. They either had their memories erased or they didn't survive. 8. That was how many lives the beast had taken, and she felt the loss of all of them. Jazmyn, in her sane mind had only killed one, her boyfriend. An accident. Something she feared of repeating if she got too close. She focused on the wizard again, waiting.