He falls back onto the stone. I run to the opposite side of the street, watching Sebastian brawl with the other Elvarran. Each step is precise, like a well-trained warrior. Sebastian disarms the man in three swift motions, the blade flying into the air before he effortlessly catches it. His arm is quick, pinning the blade to the man’s throat.
“Leave. Now,” Sebastian commands.
The man scoffs, pushing Sebastian’s arm away before taking a few sloppy steps back and walking away. Aurelia’s father rises to his feet, his hands curling into fists at his sides ashis jaw tightens. His eyes burn into me, a silent promise that I will come to regret this day.
“You’ll pay for this!” he yells, shaking his head as he walks away.
Adrenaline thunders through me like a storm. I hate fighting. Sebastian holds out his arm, returning my dagger to me. When I reach for it, pain shoots up my arm. Sucking in a sharp breath, I cradle my right wrist in my hand.
“What’s wrong?” Sebastian notices my distress.
“My wrist.” I breathe through the pain.
“Come.” He nods in the opposite direction.
I follow him, the two of us walking a short distance to a small wooden cabin on the south side of Khalessor. Sebastian unlocks the door, opening it for me to enter. Inside, I walk towards the hearth for warmth and sit on a wooden chair. On the small table beside me is an envelope and a stamp that bears the symbol of a broken sword emitting rays of light.
Still holding my wrist, I look down at the damage. The skin is bright red, but there are no surface wounds. Every time I try to move it, the ache grows.
Sebastian places another log on the embers to re-ignite the flame. He takes a knee before me. “Let me see,” he says gently.
Holding out my hand, Sebastian tests the joint by moving it slightly, causing me to wince in pain. Sebastian takes a long strip of cloth and wraps it tightly around my wrist, stabilizing the joint. My nerves begin to steady as his presence anchors me against the chaos of my evening. His steady breaths sync with mine as he works, and the frantic beat of my pulse begins to slow.
“I didn’t take you as the fighting type, Raelys.” Sebastian breaks the silence.
“That’s the first time I’ve been in a fight,” I admit, embarrassment flushing my cheeks.
“And did you cause this trouble?” He eyes me with suspicion.
I frown. “I did.” Sebastian laughs at me. “I can explain!” I quickly say.
“Explain.”
“That man was abusing his daughter! Using the little one to beg for coins in the street while he sat on his ass and drank all day!” I tell him, fury filling me. “I helped them escape.”
“That’s quite noble of you.” He returns his attention to my wound, moving his hand to check the scrape on my left arm.
“Did you manipulate the wind?” I ask, curiosity getting the best of me.
He smiles. “Yes. It’s a simple form of magic.”
“How?” I blink in disbelief.
“Magic is like breathing. Most Elvarrans source it directly from the earth, wielding the elements around us,” Sebastian explains. “But for the last thirteen years, it’s been limited… strained.”
“Because of the curse?” I ask, desperate for information.
He nods. “They call it a curse. I’m not sure I believe that theory either. It’s like the magic was purposefully sealed off.”
“Who would do such a thing?”
Sebastian sighs. “We don’t know who would commit such a heinous act.”
Silence falls between us. I don’t press him further. He is the first person to discuss the curse with me openly, and I don’t want to push the issue. The subject seems sensitive, as if the Elvarrans have lost a part of their soul without the full force of their magic.
“I have something I could use your help with,” I say.
“Yes?”
