Page 85 of A Touch of Gold and Madness

“I gotta meet up with Chrome.” I tried to snag the plate back, but Onyx held firm.

Understanding chimed in his eyes. “Ah. Well,” he started, looking down at the table. He still wouldn’t release me. “Would you mind leaving me your leftovers?”

I gaped. His plate was nearly clean. The gargantuan midday meal he had? Gone. And he wanted more. “That can’t be healthy.”

Onyx shrugged. “I have a fast metabolism.”

I snorted and let go of the dish. “Fine.” I moved to walk away.

“See ya around, Gray,” River called out, her tone slightly lighter.

I paused, assessing her as she maintained eye contact with her food. “Sure,” I said, leaving the dining hall more at ease than I’d felt in a long time just by witnessing such a jovial interaction. It reminded me so much of the others I’d left behind.

An ache replaced that lightness in my chest at the thought of my friends. Then, the heaviness returned in full force at the thought of my next stop—meeting up with Chrome and Orion to test my Elemental abilities. I didn’t know what to expect if anything at all. I only knew permanent changes would alter everything within me.

Chapter 33

Gray

“Take off the necklace.”

In the training fields, Chrome stood poised several feet in front of me as if bracing for an attack. His Kinetic and Elemental forms were on display, ready to be unleashed if needed.

We’d decided that keeping my Kinetic magic contained while I discovered my Elemental powers would be the wisest choice. It was safer not knowing how I’d react or how my suppressed Elemental magic would respond to being freed at last. It could be quite destructive.

The afternoon sun warmed the skin on the back of my neck as a soft breeze weaved through my glamoured ice-blonde waves. I’d let them loose after the training session I’d had with Void. The smell of pine needles lifted my spirit enough to give me the courage to push through my fear of discovering an unknown part of myself. Or perhaps it was the fear there was nothing new after all. That this was all for nothing.

Chrome’s impenetrable steel gaze saw it all. He relaxed his shoulders, closing the distance between us. His quicksilver gaze never left mine.

With deft and gentle hands, he reached around the back of my neck, brushing my hair to one side. My breath faltered at the touch. Ever so slowly, he skimmed his fingers along the sensitive skinuntil he found the leather string holding the black stone in place. He fiddled with the knot and gave it a tug until the necklace fell loose. He caught it with one hand, while the other shifted to brace my neck, forcing me to hold his gaze.

Warmth buzzed through my chest, causing my heart rate to spike. His grip loosened, brushing sensuous circles on my nape, studying my eyes as if they held his soul within them. A shiver danced down my spine while my skin heated all over.

Chrome cleared his throat and finally broke our gaze. With visible effort, he forced himself to take a step back. Then another, followed by two more until he was a safe distance away. He remembered he still held the black crystal necklace by the leather strap and quickly stuffed it in his pocket.

“It might take a few minutes before you feel anything,” Chrome said.

I nodded and then hugged myself as I waited, feeling colder now that he’d put distance between us again. Guilt clawed at my chest as Slate’s bright smile crossed my mind.

Chrome lowered his brows in confusion at the same moment his metallic eyes sharpened on me.

I was about to question him when, without warning, a sudden gust of wind stormed me from within, making me gasp for air. I staggered back a few steps at the force of a wild gale. It built and built, snuffing out my air.

The wind was neither hot nor cold; it was the right temperature my body craved. But it continued to build, the pressure forcing me to my knees. I groaned and looked from beneath my lashes at Chrome. He watched me with untethered eyes, waiting to intervene.

The wind grew to a torrential whirlwind that moved to my chest. It was like sticking my head out the window of a moving car while trying to breathe.

I panicked, clawing at my chest and clutching my throat.

“Gray,” Chrome said with forced calm lacing his tone, “you can’t panic. Settle your emotions. Your power is in control of you right now. You gotta take it back.”

I shook my head at him, pleading for help. In a guttural voice, I asked, “H…how?”

“Close your eyes,” Chrome demanded. I didn’t, gasping for tiny sips of air instead. “Now!Do it, Gray! Close yourgodsdamneyes.” Power and authority poured from his entire aura.

I closed my eyes.

“Imagine forcing it to stop,” Chrome instructed in a calmer voice. A whimper escaped me. Fear overrode every sense I held. “You got this, Gray. Make it fucking bow to you.”

---