The next few days were a blur for Anita as she tried to adjust to the new reality of carrying Jace's fox bead. The sensation of its power within her was constant, a soft warmth that pulsed in time with her heartbeat, reminding her of the responsibility she now held. She could sense its presence even when she wasn't actively thinking about it, like a second pulse of energy flowing through her.At school, she found it difficult to focus on her classes. Every time she looked at Jace, who had taken to following her more closely than before, she was reminded of what had happened on the mountain. He was still weakened, though he hid it well, insisting that he was fine whenever anyone asked. But Anita could see the strain in his eyes, the way he sometimes had to steady himself when he thought no one was looking.Her friends were just as concerned. They had all banded together, subtly keeping an eye on Jace during the school day and making sure he wasn't left alone for too long. Liam even created a small gadget to monitor Jace's vitals—an invention that he claimed was just for fun but which he used to discreetly check on their friend's health.Despite their best efforts, though, Anita couldn't shake the feeling of dread that had settled over her. What if something went wrong? What if the fox bead couldn't protect her the way it was supposed to? What if Jace's condition worsened before they figured out how to return the bead to him?As the days passed, these worries gnawed at Anita, making her feel restless and anxious. She found herself researching everything she could about fox spirits and mystical artifacts, spending hours in the library and scouring the internet for any clue that might help them. But most of what she found was either too vague or too fantastical to be of any real use.One evening, after yet another fruitless search, Anita sat in her room, staring at the pile of books and notes scattered across her desk. She felt a growing sense of frustration and helplessness, and for the first time, she began to doubt whether she was capable of handling the situation.Just as she was about to give in to despair, there was a soft knock at her door. Startled, she looked up to see Jace standing in the doorway, his expression concerned."Anita," he said gently, "you've been working yourself too hard. You need to rest."Anita sighed, running a hand through her hair. "I just... I don't know what else to do, Jace. I'm trying to find a way to help you, but I'm not getting anywhere."Jace stepped into the room, closing the door behind him. He crossed the small space to stand beside her, his presence comforting despite his own weakened state."You've already done more than enough," he said, his voice reassuring. "I never expected you to take on this burden, and I certainly didn't want to put you in danger. But you're not alone in this, Anita. We'll figure it out together."Anita looked up at him, her eyes filled with uncertainty. "But what if we don't? What if something happens to you because of me?"Jace shook his head, a soft smile on his lips. "Nothing will happen to me that I can't handle. I've survived centuries of imprisonment; I can survive this too. And I trust you, Anita. I trust that you'll do what's right when the time comes."His words, filled with quiet confidence, eased some of the tension that had been building inside her. She took a deep breath, trying to let go of the fear that had been holding her back."Thank you, Jace," she said, her voice steadying. "I needed to hear that."Jace nodded, his eyes warm. "You're stronger than you think, Anita. We both are."As they stood there, side by side, Anita felt a renewed sense of determination. The road ahead was uncertain, and the challenges they faced were daunting, but she knew one thing for sure: she wouldn't let fear dictate her actions. She would protect Jace, and in doing so, she would discover just how strong she truly was.