Lina's anger poured over him as his cheek began to sting.

"Xellos," she growled, "you've pulled some dirty tricks in your time, but this is the lowest."

"Honestly," Zel murmured, trying to collect his thoughts, "Lina..."

"What the hell do you think I am, dumb or something? 'I'm not Xellos'. Sure. And this here isn't my right arm. Even Gourry wouldn't fall for that one."

"Lina--" He did his best to shut her emotions out of his mind, then met her angry gaze. "You have to believe me. It's the truth, I swear to you."

"Yeah, well, forgive me for saying so, but you have a bad track record where the truth is concerned."

He couldn't take any more of this. In one movement he grabbed Lina's shoulders and pulled her in roughly.

"I'm trying to tell you the truth, dammit, but you won't listen!" he hissed, shaking her. "Look at my eyes. I'm Zel! Don't you recognize me at all?"

"You're sick," she shot back, but he sensed a twinge of doubt.

"Ask me anything, Lina. Ask me where we first met, ask me what we've fought, anything at all. Don't you get it? He switched us around. He charged me with the staff and now I'm stuck in his body. I don't know how, or why, but it's done and I don't know how to reverse it!"

"Let go of me." She squirmed in his grip; his injured shoulder weakened under the movement, and he had to release her.

I don't get it, he thought, gingerly probing the bruise. I should be healing by now. Even if I did hit him hard, this should have gone away...

Then an idea struck him.

"Lina," he said, taking a deep breath, "I can prove that he switched us."

"Sure. And pigs might--"

"Cut me."

Her shoulders went stiff in surprise. "What?"

"Cut me," he repeated, holding out one hand. "Go ahead and do it."

"You're out of your mind." Despite the strength in her voice, he sensed a wave of fear and confusion.

"Look, if you won't do it, then I will."

"Okay, all right... fine."

She bent down, keeping her eyes trained on him, and removed a small blade from somewhere in her boot. Zel took a half-step closer as she straightened up, keeping his hand outstretched.

The cut was so quick that he barely felt it: just a breath of air against his palm, then a sharp sting--and then a thin line of red began to well up on the skin.

"Blood," he muttered, almost relieved to see it. "Xellos messed up when he cast the spell. He did switch us, but not completely--he made himself part human." He looked up. "Still think I'm kidding around?"

Her eyes went from his bleeding hand to his face; she gave him a very long and searching look, and he faintly sensed a tangle of varied emotion.

When she spoke again, her voice was very quiet.

"I believe you," she said. "For now."



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