Page 68 of A Touch of Gold and Madness

“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.”

“Whatareyour 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 buttwopeople 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.

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