Page 69 of A Touch of Gold and Madness

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’rehis 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, itsleaves 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, whorose 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.

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