Jade cried out as a sharp shooting pain tore through her side. She lifted her shirt, examining her belly and chest for wounds. Finding none, she tucked her shirt back into the waistband of her jeans and retrieved her knives from the nearby target board.<br/><br/>She walked back to the weapons cabinet slowly, wondering what the sudden pain had been and where it had come from. Replacing the weapons, she made her way to the library. She had practically lived in there for the past week and a half, using all her free time to search for any way to prevent herself from killing Damon. The subject was at the forefront of her thoughts so much now that she had begun to have nightmares about it.<br/><br/>Though she had found nothing of use yet, she had learned a great deal more about magic than her father and his tutors had ever taught her. She had taken to practicing small spells and element magic when she wasn't reading.<br/><br/>Astar entered the library with a plate and glass of wine, reminding her that she hadn't eaten all day.<br/><br/>"River must be on his way to forgiving you. He put together a plate for you." He set the plate on the table next to her and examined the book she had been reading. Setting the wine down, he took the book. "Magic is dangerous territory you know. There's a toll on you physically when you use it."<br/><br/>Jade nodded and lifted the wineglass to her lips. "I've been sticking to small stuff mostly. I've seen the toll it takes on Damon when he does larger acts of magic.  I'm just looking to be able to defend myself when attacked."<br/><br/>Astar smiled and set the book back down. "Wait until Damon returns to do any more." He turned to leave, paused a moment. "And please sleep in a bed tonight. You're starting to look awful."