CONTINUED // @argxntxus  !!
 All she could do was nod knowingly as she listened to his explanation. Crystal understood that he probably wouldnât be a deterred from pursuing this as sheâd hope. At the very least, she could play as if this had nothing to do with her. That was her past--something sheâd tried to run from and had failed miserably. She didnât want to return to those days. So, she giggled and beamed at him--acting as if this whole topic didnât phase her as much as he may have thought. âYeah, that makes sense, I guess. Since your whole job is tracking down baddies, right? Good luck, I guess!! Maybe youâll have better luck tracking her down.â
 He reached for his cup and she wondered for only a moment if she should order two more drinks. It was the least she could do, given how much cold she radiated. âWant another? My treat.â Her emotions were all over the place. Nervous and a little bit anxious didnât even describe it. If he truly meant to hunt down this woman, then she could be in danger. Which would inevitably lead to the fight sheâd been trying to avoid in the first place.
 Crystal was a changed woman--she was good!!--and she didnât plan on letting Glacies have her way anymore. So, why couldnât people just leave her alone? âMagical power, physical power, places of power, positions of power... Theyâre all the same, really. Or, at least, thatâs what I think. I have yet to run into someone who didnât want to â detain â me for playing a little prank. The look on their faces was totally worth it, though!â
 Then she started and addressed the topic he found so interesting. Despite not wanting to touch on the subject of her father, he seemed so intrigued in her ancestry. âI wasnât born an elemental--though, I think my village wouldâve said otherwise. I really liked winter and the snow--donât get me wrong--but I was born a human girl. I think it happened... when I was resurrected? See, Granny Dreadful tried a lot of spells on me before I got to where I am today. Vampire saliva, fairy teeth, mermaid hair, dragon scales, elf nails? She tried all kinds of potions and spells on my spirit, ooo boy, you wouldnât believe it.â
 âBut I guess the one that had the biggest effect on me was the Yuki-Onna tears.â Crystal shrugged. This was all such an awkward conversation for her. âAnd now I can will elements of winter to do as I say.â Another shrug.