Despite his progress, Jace couldn't shake the feeling that he was still out of place in this modern world. He had learned how to blend in, how to interact with others without revealing his true nature, but the weight of his past and the bond with Anita weighed heavily on his mind.One evening, after dinner, Jace retreated to the small study that Anita had set up for him. It was a quiet, cluttered space with bookshelves filled with history texts and artifacts from the past. Jace found solace among the old volumes, their ancient wisdom a comforting reminder of his own history.Anita found him there later that night, sitting at the desk with a thoughtful expression on his face. The dim light of the desk lamp cast long shadows, adding to the solemn mood."Are you okay?" Anita asked gently, stepping into the room. She had noticed Jace's distant demeanor over the past few days and wanted to check on him.Jace looked up, his eyes reflecting the soft glow of the lamp. "I'm fine. Just... thinking."Anita took a seat across from him, sensing that there was more to his thoughts than he was letting on. "About what?"Jace hesitated, searching for the right words. "It's hard to adjust to this world. I feel like I'm a stranger in a place that's moving too fast. There's so much I don't understand, and I'm worried that I might not be able to protect you as well as I'd like."Anita reached across the desk, placing a reassuring hand on his. "You're doing great, Jace. I know it's a lot to take in, but you're learning, and you're here with me. That's what matters."Jace's expression softened, but his eyes still held a trace of uncertainty. "It's not just about fitting in. I'm concerned about the fox bead. Its power is linked to me, but also to you now. I don't fully understand what that means or how it might affect us."Anita nodded, understanding his concern. "I've been feeling the effects of the bead, too. The sensations have been strange, almost like it's trying to tell us something. But we don't know what."Jace sighed, leaning back in his chair. "The bead's power is ancient and unpredictable. It's been dormant for so long that it's difficult to gauge its current state. We might be facing something beyond our control."Anita squeezed his hand gently. "We'll face it together, Jace. Whatever comes, we'll deal with it. We've already overcome so much."Jace nodded, taking comfort in her words. "You're right. I need to trust that we can handle this. And I need to adapt to this world, not just for my sake, but for yours as well."Anita smiled, her eyes filled with determination. "Exactly. We'll figure this out. One step at a time."