"Who is Hera?"
Jade was as confused as she had been when she first saw Bacchus sitting in her room. "What are you talking about, Bacchus?"
"That pendant on your neck. Someone is after it, and she would kill to lay her hands on it"
Jade's hands touched the pendant. "I didn't take this from anyone. When I found myself in Goaz, it appeared on my neck. I haven't even tried to take it off since then. Should I?"
She was dealing with enough here already. Jade didn't appreciate the fact that someone from God knows where is hunting her down because of something she didn't pick up herself. "It found me. You said so yourself, Bacchus".
Bacchus pitied her. The weight on her shoulders... he looked at Jade's shoulders, [So delicate], he thought. "The witch came to my house in Goaz, she is an unstable one. I think that pendant belonged to her mistress, who she killed after turning to the dark side. Greed can do a lot to people", Bacchus shook his head.
"So, that is the person that wants the pendant now?"
"Yes. She is from Goaz as well"
"Should I just give it to her? I do not want any stress. I am here trying to develop myself. I haven't even started on bringing the 'head of the raping gang' down". Jade scratched her hair roughly, scattering the black mass that had been cascading down her back and shoulders.
"Do not do that. If the pendant didn't accept you, it would have repelled your energy a long time ago"
"Argh"
"You should never reject what you have been given"
Jade nodded her head.
"I see you are doing so well. You are healing people?"
"Yes. I am so happy and very surprised that I can do things like that"
"Surprised? Why are you trying to be modest? I doubt you know what you carry yourself"
"I missed you, Bacchus. Sometimes, I think of coming into Goaz to train and learn some more"
"I have something for you". Bacchus said as he dipped his hands into his usual red shorts.
Jade watched him, wondering what it might be.
He brought out a pouch and inside it was a piece of cloth. "This will help you with more magic, Jade. With Hera, you will need this. It will work as an energy reserve for you. Make use of it only when necessary, okay?"
She took the cloth from his hands.
"Let me see you try to drag strength from it"
Jade's brows creased. "Drag power from this...", she muttered.
Jade took a deep breath and closed her eyes. All her senses heightened. It was as if she hadn't closed her eyes. Jade could still see Bacchus.
[What does this mean? What is happening?], she thought. Then she saw what was in her hands. It was emanating such light... such glorious light. It was unbelievable.
Jade's eyes flew open, "Bacchus?"
Bacchus's gaze was fixed on her skin... which was shining as well. "You are a natural, Jade"
She looked around her body... her arms, her palms...
"I wouldn't be surprised if you were a fairy in your previous life. You look glorious"
She smiled. "Thank you for the flattery, Bacchus"
"This lady... I am not flattering you. It is the truth"
"Okay... I have heard you. Where did you get this from, Bacchus?", Jade asked.
Bacchus paused, he didn't know if he wanted to tell her. "Do not worry about that, Jade. The essence in that lasts for years. Now, give me a few strands of your hair"
Jade already knew what he wanted them for, and she trusted Bacchus completely.
"You know it hurts to pull one's hair, right?", Jade joked.
"Oh come on. Just a few"
"Promise not to scare me with your arrival next time"
"I promise. I need to go, Jade. This place isn't for me". Bacchus was beginning to feel nauseous.
* * *
"I didn't see anyone go in. Who is she talking to?", Rex asked... his ears pressed against Jade's door.
Rex had a stick in his mouth that he had been chewing on since the change of shift. He didn't see the need to keep watching the witch but [orders from above], he thought.
"Can you hear the other noise?", a boy that was no one than thirteen years old stood at the other side of the door opposite Rex.
"I am not deaf like your mother, Mike. Of course, I hear the other noise"
Rex had heard 'the noise' since the lady had begun to talk. "She is talking to herself in the mirror, like witches do", Rex whispered.
"Shhh... she has stopped talking"
They both took several steps back, away from the door.
"Stay in the hallway, I will go downstairs. Watch if anyone comes out or goes in. If you leave here, you are dead, Mike"
Mike nodded.
They both watched Jade's house till the next morning.
No one came out of her house and no one went in.
Meanwhile, as the shift changed that morning, Rex carried information back to Ajax. He had heard some key things from the lady which he knew would interest Mr. Ajax.