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dangerous concoctions by sight and name after a few hours.
    When she felt her hands tingling, she got to her feet and went outside to the rock pile. It took a few attempts to wrap her hands properly, but she was ready to crush rocks deliberately for a few rounds.
    She focused on the pressure she was exerting and waited for the crack as the rocks disintegrated. The second time, she was able to exert far more pressure in a slow and measured manner. It felt good to be able to control how hard she pressed when she made a fist.
    Her forearms tightened without effort, and her hands followed suit. Watching the actions and the effect that her new strength gave her an understanding of the changes.
    When the light dimmed to the point where she couldn’t see her hands anymore, she sighed and went inside.
    “Your clothing is set to arrive any moment, as well as the equipment I ordered. It is a good thing you came in as it is going to be dropped from a high altitude.”
    She perked up. “Really?”
    Mila hated to think it, but she was really sure that she wanted a new outfit. Perhaps something that would match her new situation would be in there.
    Hrakin took her by the shoulders and aimed her toward the wide yard near the gardens. “It will land there.”
    Mila was a little surprised when a box with small jets attached landed in the spot he had shown her. It was a surprisingly big box, but she had been anticipating a huge thud when it landed, not a gentle hiss.
    Hrakin took her hand and brought her outside to open the parcel.
    She yawned and covered her mouth.
    “Am I boring you?” He chuckled.
    “No. Sorry. I just started getting sleepy. I must have tired myself out today.”
    “Good. The more you can get into a routine of working out and resting when tired, as well as regular meals, the faster you will be up for whatever else we can come up with.”
    He pulled her to the box and opened it. It folded open along the top and the side facing them. They had full access to the contents.
    Neatly folded clothing, a few small chests and some links of chain were all tucked into the box.
    “Hold your arms out.” Hrakin lifted out the folded clothing and turned to her.
    She stuck her arms out, and he piled the clothing in the waiting embrace. Then, he added three of the boxes, draped the chains over his shoulder and scooped up everything that remained.
    “Back to the bedroom so we can examine the supplies.”
    Mila wondered at the location but followed him. The clothing that she had was similar in shape to what she had on, but the coloration was black and silver to match what Hrakin had on.
    “Very pretty. I look forward to putting that on tomorrow.”
    He smiled. “If you feel up to it, tomorrow we will do some rock climbing. I got you these.”
    The box in his hands opened, and a pair of lace-up boots was lying in the carved wood. The soles were soft but had thick grips.
    “For climbing?”
    “Yes. They will protect your shins while we are creeping over the rocks. We will begin on an angled slope and work our way up to the sheer slope.”
    She grinned and nodded to the other boxes. “What is in those?”
    “Gloves for climbing and working on the rocks. The last box is a set of wide cuffs to pin your hands over your head in bed.”
    Her shocked gaze fixed on his face. “What?”
    “Well, your strength kicks in during moments of adrenalin, and there is nothing like a good session in bed to get the body ready for anything. We don’t want you crushing anything.”
    “Show me.”
    He raised his brows. “The cuffs or do you want to roll around with me?”
    She sighed. “Show me the cuffs, and I will decide.”
    He chuckled but opened the dark, inlaid box.
    The cuffs were leather and what appeared to be suede. She took them out of the box and examined them, trying the left one on for comfort. They were four inches wide, padded and her skin welcomed whatever was lining them.
    Hrakin took the second cuff and put it on her right