"You think she does, but she does not. Not as you know it," she said harshly when Daniel rose to his feet in furious protest. "The moment her consciousness is gone from this shell, she will cease to exist in all forms."
Before for Daniel could think of something to counter her assertion, her looked at her resolute expression and was taken aback by something on her face. "Are you crying?"
She wiped the tear off her face and stared at it in mild confusion. "I had forgotten how your race feels things so deeply. I rather dislike it." She looked back at him, her eyes perfectly dry. "They learned their lesson the last time they gave a shell a will as Andromache had one. The shell's personality fought for control and won. This one could not win as it was."
"As she was? What do you mean?"
"You made her a person. By finding a way to keep the barrier intact for so long, the shell has its own personality and desire to survive. But it is a spark on the wind compared to what it is up against."
"Stop saying it," Daniel broke in harshly.
A cruel smirk passed over her features. "You do not comprehend what I am trying to tell you," she muttered. "This body and what you think to inhabit it are not real. They do not possess true gender or identity. Earth may suffer the consequences of believing otherwise."
Bastet stood quickly, her visible spirit separating from Andie's body which for the time being sat up of its own accord. Daniel was shocked to note the imposing difference between the two of them. In a low, velvety voice, Bastet said, "I would offer you a word of hope in this futile endeavor, but that would be false hope, and that's just wrong."
Before Daniel could respond, Bastet disappeared and Andie's body fell forward to the floor. He caught her and helped her back up onto the bed.
A shaking hand clutched at his sleeve. "Don't leave me alone with her," she begged in a pathetic whisper. "Don't leaveā¦"
Sam rushed into the room and Andie threw her arms around her when she took Daniel's place at her side. "You're going to be fine," Sam assured her, her tone absolute. "Nothing is going to happen to you."
"I know," Andie said in a stronger voice, the tremor leaving her hands. Daniel felt a chill run through his body when her eyes locked with his. Her eyes seemed cold and distant. "I'm safe here."
