I didn't let anyone see my hards as the rest of the caravan caught up and people, unknowing of the danger we just escaped, started to get ready for the night. Instead of trying to move me, Elias ordered for a fire to built near me as I stayed hunched over on my shins and letting out slow, shaky breaths. Once the fire was going, two guards stood on watch as Elias sat beside me, sitting quietly at first as I kept my eyes closed.

"Edwin told me what you did," Elias said softly, I could feel him watching me. "Did it hurt you?" I shook my head and slowly shifted so my hip was against the dirt and the second my wrists were in the firelight, I heard him gasp, "What did that?"

My wrists were black under the cuffs, raw. "I did," I whispered, bringing them back to my chest, hiding them from the firelight. "Is-Is Edwin okay?" I asked worriedly. I hadn't seen him, I didn't remember him being dismissed either.

Elias nodded, trying to get a look at my wrists, but didn't move closer. "He's fine, just a scratch on his cheek. He's better than you. Let me get an Enchanter?" I shook my head, "Why not?"

"They won't heal me."

"They can heal any wound."

"No, they won't heal me," I attempted to explain to him a bit better.

It took a second, but he slowly started to remember the conversation of how the other races didn't like me. "They'll do what I say if they know what's good for them," he actually growled and turned to the girl who I had spoken to last night around the fire. "Go get Agras," he ordered and turned back to me. "Annika, how did that happen?" His voice a bit gentler.

I glanced down to my own wrists, the charred pieces stuck to the metal and slowly tore away, revealing a red, raw, inner. I should be in agony, but I had burned away the nerve endings. "What did Edwin tell you?" I didn't want to tell a tale if Elias already had his suspicions.

"He said you created lightning from your hands. That the demon moved in the shadows, impossible to see, but you were able to see it and you single-handedly struck it down with magic like he had never seen before."

"So everything," I laughed nervously and shook my head. "I told you I was a half-breed: half-elf, half mage. My magic is different than pure-bloods. We're lucky it was a shadow demon, I don't know what would have happened if it was something else."

Elias shook his head, reaching out a hand for me, but pausing. "Don't sell yourself short, Annika. I've never seen or heard of anyone being able to do what you just did. You saved a lot of innocent lives today, be proud of that." He smiled at me, and motioned back to my wrists, "Why did you get hurt by your own magic?"

"Something to do with the metal. Lightning jumps between them and burns my skin. My Master put them on to ensure that if I did do something, I'd instantly be punished."

"Why didn't you take them off?"

I shrugged, glancing to the cuffs. I had stared at these a hundred times, spinning them around trying to find an end or beginning. There was no keyhole, no way of taking them off. "I don't know how to," I admitted smiled weakly, "Don't know what I'd do if they ever did come off anyways. I don't remember a time I wasn't wearing them."

That didn't seem to please Elias in the least, "You aren't a slave anymore. You don't need to wear cuffs like you are." He objected.

I didn't have time to reply as a man came running over, a bag over his shoulder. His black hair swung behind him, it touched the ground as he sat beside me. "I assume you're the one who killed that demon, who saved us?" White markings surrounded his neck and became hidden under his shirt.

Air.

I slowly nodded and watched him anxiously, "What happened? Let me see," he smiled sweetly, his eyes never once left my face to my short ears or seemed bothered by my light coloured eyes. I titled my head and hesitantly showed him my wrists, making him wince. "Looks painful, is it?"

Shaking my head, I sighed. "I'm afraid I lost feeling," I admitted.

He inhaled sharply, "Well, that may be a blessing," he finally shrugged, "Mind if I take these bracelets off?"

"They don't come off," I glanced up to Elias who shifted to get a better view of Agras' work.

Agras scoffed, "Of course they do," he glanced up at me, then back to the thick silver cuffs, "Just like this." He waved his hands over them, a few markings began to glow and a moment later, a seam appeared. The cuffs opened on their own and my eyes widened as they dropped into the dirt. Blacken skin clung to the inside and Agras frowned, "Well that's both disgusting and not good." He certainly didn't have a bedside manner.

It was good I could barely hear him. Tears gathered in my eyes and I fought to keep them back as my eyes locked with Elias'. He smiled reassuringly, nodding his head like he was telling me it was okay. It was an overwhelming rush of emotions which washed over me, all which ended up turning my stomach into knots. I didn't even know what to say, but Agras kept talking. "This may hurt a little before it gets better. I am going to heal everything, so, it may not feel great, just try to remain still?"

"Elias?" I found myself whispering and glancing over to him.

He moved quickly so he was beside me, his hand on my shoulder, "I'm here, just relax, it'll be over soon and you can get some rest." Despite everything I had hated about Elias over the last few days, I leaned into him and gave a hesitant nod to Agras. "We can get you a few pillows and blanket tonight, probably even a tent, but you like sleeping outside, don't you?"

I knew Elias was just talking so I wouldn't notice as Agras' hands hovered over mine and the skin slowly changed from red to pink under the black light emanating from Agras' hand. I closed my eyes, letting out a soft squeak before I bit my lip as the dull ache turned into throbbing agony. "I think the hunting party got some food, maybe we'll even get a stew tonight," Elias squeezed my arms as I leaned back more into him.

It took a few minutes for the pain to go away and when I opened mutt eyes again, Agras was sweating and darkened scars circled my wrists, scabs in a few spots. "I'm sorry, it's the best I can do," he said breathing heavily.

I shook my head, "No, it's fine..." it was strange seeing my pale skin nearly three shades darker in just that one spot,I found it hard to look away, but did realize how unconvincing I sounded. "Really, thank you Agras. You've done more for me than you know."

Agras smiled and the female guard helped him stand, "Get him back to his tent, see he is cared for," Elias ordered as I closed my eyes once again. I felt his breath on my neck as he ran his hands along my arms. "Are you alright?" He breathed and I nodded, exhaustion slowly setting in as my body worked on recovering my expended magic and tried to stabilize after the healing. "Get some rest," Elias whispered, but he didn't move out from behind me, instead, encouraged me to curl up against him.