you might actually like it here,” Chrome said as we trudged the final steps toward the long-abandoned drive of the Elemental Hollow. It’d been a stressful journey, and I was ready to settle somewhere at last. But as we reached our destination, anxiety seized me at the idea of being surrounded by people I’d been trained to kill. They’d surely know who I was, so I worried about their reception of the Kinetic King’s assassin daughter.
Chrome insisted otherwise. “They knew who I was when I first arrived. And now, they’re my family.”
I swallowed the lump in my throat. The sound of our feet crunching down the long gravel drive echoed off the tree boughs. Hidden deep in the woods, the Georgia pines hugged us along the pathway. “Please forgive me for not trusting your word on this. There’re plenty of reasons why they’d want me to suffer.”
Chrome glanced at me as we walked side by side. “Gray, there’s more information you need to know. One person, specifically, has the answers.” He paused and returned his gaze to the path ahead, combing his fingers through his black hair. “He saved me. I owe him everything.”
A weight settled between us as he seemed to fall back into the clutches of his demons. I tried to imagine the horrors Chrome endured at the King’s Palace. The public abuse I had been subjected to couldn’t compare to what he must’ve gone through in private. Many of the punishments I experienced still haunted me, but gaining the notoriety that Chrome had achieved couldn’t have come without a heavy cost.
“The lodge and cabins are hidden from sight unless you’re granted permission. You’re safe here,” Chrome informed me. I wondered what Elemental magic allowed for that to be possible.
“It’s not the Elemental power that provides that glamour,” he added, as if he read my thoughts. “It’s my Kinetic ability. It prevents us from being detected so we don’t have to wear our bracelets all the time.”
“What are your abilities, by the way? I don’t think we’ve covered that. I keep meaning to ask.” My nails dug into my palms the closer we got to the Hollow, my anxiety climbing higher and higher.
“I’m an earth-metal Elemental.” I recalled our first meeting when he’d stolen my blades off my person, and how he wielded them against the Kinetics. Then, the liquid metal that had seeped from the Kinetics and beastie-bear’s orifices. “My Kinetic ability—it’s a lot more complex. I rarely use it because it can be volatile and…unstable,” he hesitated, straightening his shoulders. Unstable—I noted how he used that word again. “But I can control electromagnetic energy. It’s what gives the Hollow electricity.”
My brows rose, and I almost stumbled at the admission. “That’s…” I started, unsure how to react. “An extremely rare ability.” Not only was that ability few and far between, but for someone to power an entire building on their own at all times required an enormous amount of power. At the King’s Palace, it took an entire team of Kinetics with varying abilities to run all the electricity.
Chrome nodded. “Yeah, I know. Imagine trying to train with it…”
I fell silent, wondering how one would train such a rare ability. “So, how do you replenish your reserves?”
“I can absorb electromagnetic energy, as well as the others on the spectrum.” Like me, but my power was much different than his.
“How do you fight offensively with it?” I asked, curious about this unknown power.
“The most effective and controllable way to wield that energy is through pressurized pulses,” he explained as we neared a towering, intricate gate made of iron. “But it requires a lot.”
Something niggled in my mind at his words, but he stopped me from pressing further.
“We’re here.” Chrome twisted his hand into a fist, unlocking the gate. It seemed to recognize him and his magic, which granted us entry. “Brace yourself,” he warned. “Some are very excited to meet you.”
We stepped through the gate, and before us, a beautiful, dark oak lodge demanded our attention. Sitting atop the peak of a hill like a beacon of hope, stood an enormous lodge that resembled something from a dream. The lawn surrounding it was perfectly manicured, untouched by the world beyond. A large lake sparkled in the distance off the edge of the property.
Behind the expansive and lavish lodge, dotted smaller, but equally luxurious cabins framing the lodge on either side. They stretched around and bordered the lake along the tree line.
It was absolutely stunning.
Once I’d gotten the first glimpse of the Hollow, Chrome urged me along. “Come on.”
We walked up the black pavement leading to the front steps of the lodge. Beginning at the front, a large wrap-around porch encircled the majestic oak structure. A stacked wall of windows lined the tall, bottom floor.
“This is the main lodge where we eat, celebrate, meet, and train. Only a few of us have our sleeping quarters here.”
“I assume you’re one of them?” I asked with an arched brow.
Chrome shrugged. “You assume correct, Princess.” The hint of a smile twinkled in his blue eyes, and I swallowed past the knot in my throat at the memory of him the night before, the tension between us searing me alive. Had he kissed me, I doubted I would’ve pushed him away.
His shoulders relaxed as he made his way to the front steps. However, anxiety warred inside me the closer we approached the towering, ornate double doors.
The second we stepped inside, a force almost knocked me aside, plowing into Chrome.
“Welcome back,” a deep voice said, arms wrapping Chrome in a full-body hug.
Chrome returned it, patting him on the back. “It’s good to see you, too, Onyx.”
I narrowed my eyes at the cropped, inky hair darker than Chrome’s. When Onyx stepped back, I noticed it swept to the side. Silver flecks dotted the pitch black throughout, reminding me of a clear night sky.
“Everything good?” Onyx asked, his brow furrowed. He still hadn’t acknowledged my existence yet, which was fine. I preferred to stay out of the spotlight. It usually didn’t end well for me otherwise.
Chrome snorted. “We’re fine. We had a late start this morning.” A smirk played on his sharp features, a light entering his eyes that hadn’t previously been there. “Where’s Orion? An urgent meeting needs to be called.”
A silence fell between them. Onyx narrowed his light amber eyes at Chrome. Then, as if realizing not one but two people walked through the front door, he snapped his attention to me.
A beaming smile, full of perfect teeth, slowly lit up his handsome face that was a warm russet-brown. “Holy shit, brother,” he whispered in awe. “She’s here.”
I wanted to hide. The staring made me feel exposed, but years of practice at the King’s Palace had me holding my chin high and meeting the bright eyes that stood out against his complexion.
Onyx’s face was familiar. I couldn’t place where I’d seen it before. I knew I had. “Onyx,” I began, “that’s a Kinetic name. And your hair seems to agree.” The black cloak he wore didn’t allow me to see if he had currents.
With a dip of his head, he said, “Yep. Onyx Valor. Son of Supreme Trainer Smokey Valor.”
I gaped in shock as recognition came to the surface. “You’re his missing son that we all presumed to be dead?” I asked.
His face fell, and Chrome stiffened beside me. “Yeah. Things happened.” Onyx cast a quick glance at Chrome. Chrome said nothing. “It wasn’t safe for me to stay.”
I wondered if he knew how hard it affected his father, Smokey. What could’ve possibly happened to make it unsafe for him—to the point he disappeared in the middle of the night? How did he end up at an Elemental stronghold?
Onyx’s broad shoulders dropped, and his gaze fell with them to stare at the dark, walnut floor.
Chrome placed a hand on his friend’s shoulder. “Where’s Orion? Can you call a meeting?”
Shaking off the heaviness that plagued him, Onyx nodded. “Yeah, I’m on it, brother.” He dipped his head to me. “Pleasure to meet you, Princess Gray. It’s my honor.” Then, he dropped at the waist to give me a proper bow before he spun on his heel and disappeared through the expansive living area and up a set of spiraling wooden stairs.
Chrome said to me in a low voice, “Like us, Onyx had no choice but to disappear. He worries about his father every day.”
Guilt gnawed at me at his words. Were any Kinetics truly happy under my father’s rule? Or were they all stifled and controlled with threats hanging over their heads daily, like it had been for me? I used to envy others for the freedom they must’ve possessed, not having been royalty. But perhaps no one there was truly free.
One thing was certain: my father was equal parts loved and feared by his people.
“Follow me,” Chrome instructed, following Onyx’s path. Striding toward the stairs, I took in more of the lodge’s interior. Dark logs were stacked atop one another to form the walls. Large, stained tree trunks acted as rafters high above. But it was the stunning oak tree standing as the focal point in the common area that caught my attention. The second-story landing was open, visible from either floor. The oak tree crested higher, its leaves draping over the balcony. And on the far wall to my left, sat a stone fireplace made of gray river rock, stretching to the peak of the lodge.
This place embraced me with its comfort. I imagined curling up with a book or a sketchpad and pencils in one of the many cushioned chairs for hours.
Tree branches formed massive chandeliers, hanging at differing lengths throughout the main floor’s common area. Warm light lit the space in a welcoming fashion as the aroma of cinnamon melted me from within. If I hadn’t been on edge, I would’ve savored the space more.
I followed Chrome up the stairs and along the open landing at the top. When I glanced down, I didn’t see any other Elementals striding about.
We entered a long hallway lined with rooms. Natural light streaming in through tall windows exposed the beautiful scenic view outside.
We walked in silence, apprehension once again rising in my chest.
I adjusted my duffel across my shoulder and stopped as we approached a door at the end of the hall. Chrome opened it, waiting for me to walk in first before he strode inside. The door shut with a soft click behind us.
A long table constructed from walnut sat in the center of the room.
Chrome dropped his bag against the wall, gesturing for me to do the same. “I’d take that one,” he said, pointing to the head chair at the end of the table before sitting down on the opposite side.
I took my seat in the wooden chair he’d instructed. My feet and legs screamed with relief after the long journey we’d made that morning. I took a deep breath, trying to keep the rising nervousness at bay.
Voices sounded down the hallway, and my heart rate spiked at the thought of being exposed to new people. I’d never really had the best experiences with them.
Chrome straightened his shoulders at the sound, a mask of strength washing over his tired features. He was looking pale again, and I grew concerned at the memory of the night he’d been in the throes of what I’d deemed a traumatic panic attack.
The door flew open. A man with light blond hair and gleaming gold skin swept into the room. He beamed in relief as he spotted Chrome, who rose from his seat and greeted him with a hug. “So good to have you back, nephew,” the man said into Chrome’s shoulder.
Chrome nodded and pulled his face into the tight mask of control again. “It’s good to be back.”
I watched as others filed inside the doorway, but before I got the chance to observe them, Chrome turned and gestured toward me at the far end of the table. The man standing beside him turned his attention to me, and pure emotion overcame his handsome face.
“Aeran?” the man nearly whispered. I looked around, confused. I didn’t speak.
“She doesn’t know that name, Orion,” Chrome explained. “She goes by Gray, her Kinetic name.”
The man—Orion—took hurried steps to close the distance between us. Everyone in the room was silent, staring…at me.
I wanted to claw out of my skin. I hated this attention.
“Gray,” Orion said as he stood next to me. I looked up, meeting eyes the color of warm tropical seas. He was an attractive man—with a scruffy jaw and sharp cheekbones—appearing to be in his early thirties.
I nodded, focusing on the sting of my nails as they dug into my palms.
“I’ve waited so many years to meet you,” Orion said.
The mood in the room turned solemn, and I didn’t know why. What didn’t I know? I hated feeling like I was being kept out of the loop.
“Nice to meet you,” I said and cleared my throat. “Thanks for allowing me refuge in your Hollow.”
“It’s not my Hollow, dear one.” The beige skin underlying the gold-flecks on Orion’s forehead wrinkled, like the ripples in light, beachy sand. He shifted his confused expression to Chrome. “It’s Chrome’s.”
My eyebrows rose to my hairline. “Oh.” My cheeks flushed red from embarrassment. “That… knowledge,” I said, shooting daggers at Chrome with a glare, “was conveniently withheld.”
Orion gave me a compassionate smile despite my tight one. “No worries, dear,” he said, and placed a gentle hand on my shoulder. “After this meeting is adjourned, and you’re settled in, I’d like to discuss many things with you. If that’s okay? I’m sure you have a great deal of questions.”
With a snort, I mumbled, “No shit.”
“Colorful, I see.” Orion smirked.
I looked away, his scrutiny overwhelming me.
Chrome tried to hide his smile before he cleared his throat. “Okay, everyone. Please sit. There’s much to discuss.”
Roughly ten people filed in, but a few stood out. I caught Onyx’s star-speckled hair. His tall, broad body sauntered to the chair on Chrome’s left while Orion took the right.
A beautiful, petite woman with rich, deep-brown skin beneath a radiating layer of gold flecks entered the room. Textured curls of her long, black hair bounced with each movement. She moved with fluid strides to a seat beside Orion. Her posture exuded a quiet confidence and the promise to inflict pain upon any threat. She wore a mask of steel, but her eyes….
Baby-blue irises laced around white pupils landed on me, almost appearing to glow.
A hulking man scraped a chair across the hardwood floor before plopping into it. His physique was in the shape of an inverted triangle, with muscles birthing more muscles. He folded his beefy hands together, resting his elbows on the table. He focused his astute attention on Chrome. Shining, gold-flecked skin layered atop a sun-bronzed complexion complimented his short brown hair.
In fact, everyone, minus Chrome and Onyx, had their gold skin and unusual eyes unglamoured. I wondered what my eyes would look like.
Both magic inhibitors were still in place, but was I ready to test out my possible Elemental side? Not seeing the physical proof still allowed me to believe all of this was some sort of mistake. That maybe I wasn’t some fucked-up hybrid my father was hell-bent on using and destroying.
Deep down, I knew that was a lie.
“As you can see,” Chrome started as all the seats in the room filled. He glanced around the table once he had everyone’s undivided attention. “I have brought Princess Gray Monroe before you all.”
I cocked my head to the side, narrowing my eyes. I didn’t like the way he began this meeting.
Chrome ignored my expression and continued on. The powerful energy of a leader pulsed from his aura. “King Forest has decided that her usefulness ran out when she failed to kill me. On the journey back, however, several developments took place.”
The Elementals surrounding the table listened to every word as he recounted all the… developments. Some of it was new to me, as he explained the interaction with Jesse at the speakeasy. He’d noticed him acting dodgy, and it hadn’t sat right with Chrome. He was sure that the attack outside of the abandoned tattoo shop was by his design. When he reached the part about the beastie-bear, everyone fell still. Tension rolled across the table in such thick waves that it nearly suffocated me. But the dense layer of tension pivoted to me when he told them about the portal we’d somehow opened and sent the horned bear back to its realm.
I shifted in my seat, but straightened my back, refusing to show fear or discomfort to this room full of strangers.
Someone cleared their throat. “Has she removed her glamour yet?” It was the petite woman who’d caught my eye. She glanced at me before returning her focus to Chrome, speaking about me as if I wasn’t sitting at the same table as everyone else.
“No,” Chrome responded. The power within his feline-shaped eyes held me in place, like he sensed my desire to quip a smart-ass remark and dared me to keep my mouth shut. “It’s been quite a shitshow. Untested powers in an uncontrolled environment would surely take that shitshow and turn it into an absolute nightmare. Didn’t wanna risk it.” His mouth opened, then shut again.
I squinted my eyes, wondering what was on the tip of his tongue.
Everyone at the table nodded in agreement.
“I assume you and Orion will train her magic?” a voice heavy with bass asked. The owner belonged to a man whose skin was deeper than the woman’s. Thick locs twisted neatly to rest against his broad chest. He held himself carefully composed with his hands in his lap. He sat pin straight so his back didn’t touch the chair.
“Yes,” Chrome said, still speaking about me as if I wasn’t present, yet he never broke eye contact. “But you’ll take part in her combat training.”
I lifted my hand to halt the conversation. “Hold on,” I said. “Combat training? You realize I’m…”
“Yes, but there’s more you could learn. Void has a particular skill-set that will prove advantageous for you in the future,” Chrome explained. “Seeing as you have so many enemies now, you might want to jump on the offer.”
I slumped back into my seat. “Fine.”
“Well, isn’t she just full of rainbows?” someone chimed in. A younger male sitting a few spots down from Void. He looked at me with bright eyes that danced with amusement. Those eyes glowed orange like an Elemental blade. They contrasted with the Native-brown skin gleaming beneath the gold, and the silken black hair pulled into a loose bun. The mischievous grin he wore promised this wouldn’t be our last interaction.
Chrome snorted a chuckle. Everyone looked around the table, eyes shifting in confusion at his reaction as if it were an unusual thing for him. “You have no idea.”