I shifted my attention to Talitha, studying her as she brought me an abundance of tranquility, imparting an awkward smile in thanks.
“Now,”Nell began, “since we’re unable to give you your tongue back, I’d like to try to teach you how to communicate telepathically.”
My eyes widened, and I pointed to myself in confusion. I had no ability to communicate through people’s minds. I’d tried many times over the years.
Nell grinned.“Yes, you, Cotton of Terraguard. It won’t be easy, but I think your Kinetic energy will be able to lend a hand with the proper instruction. Is that something you’d be interested in?”
I thought about it for a moment, dropping my gaze to my lap as I imagined what it would be like to speak with others around me. I had no idea if it was something I’d even be capable of doing. But I was willing to try. Looking up at Nell, I nodded.
Nell’s grin widened.“Oh, wonderful.”She sat back in her seat and continued.“It will take some time to learn how to manipulate the aether here in a way that will work with your magic. But I believe it can be done. Until then, there is someone here who can teach you sign language, which you can pass along to those around you who desire to learn.”
Sign language. Something so simple that King Forest had refusedme. Something that could’ve made my life exponentially easier over the years. Now, I had the opportunity. The genuine kindness cracked something in my chest. A staunch, hard wall I’d crafted years ago after my mother’s death.
I exhaled, nodding to Nell.
Nell rose from her seat behind her desk and walked to meet me, grabbing my hands in hers.“Welcome, Cotton. I look forward to working with you, my dear.”
I desperately wanted to respond to express my gratitude, but I doubted the conversation would work coming from my end. So far, the mental connection had only been one-sided, yet I wanted to try, anyway.“Likewise. Thank you for your kindness,”I said mentally, feeling foolish. Of course no one would hear it.
Nell beamed, her eyes lighting up in excitement. I straightened my spine at her response. She’dheardme.
Looking between Talitha and Nell, I decided to add,“You mentioned your people are trying to get Gray to join us here. Is there anything I can do to help?”
Nell turned and faced Talitha. I assumed she conveyed my question telepathically to her. Returning their focus on me, the two women smiled kindly, but it was Talitha who responded. “Not right now, unfortunately. All we can do is keep an eye on her and her people through our Seers.” When she spotted my disappointment, she went on. “At the moment, you and Scarlett should simply focus on yourselves. I have a feeling there’s a lot more to you than meets the eye, Cotton.”
Chapter Seven
Gray
“What else did he say, Lake?” I pressed one final time. A part of me felt remorse for pushing her for answers, not even twenty minutes after she had just witnessed her boyfriend being murdered right before her eyes. Aster’s corpse was still warm to the touch and hadn’t been moved yet. However, the urgent need to learn why Chrome had been here nearly drove me to neurosis.
“Gray.” Slate stepped up to my side, talking gently in my ear so none of the gathered crowd overheard. “Let’s breathe. We’ll figure this out together.”
For a moment, I forgot that Slate was supposed to be dead, and I was supposed to be pissed with him. I relaxed my shoulders, instinctively leaning into his arm. A habit. My safe space. I released the pent-up breath that kept my heart rate at an uncomfortably rapid speed as I nodded.
“Lake,” Slate said, his tone firm yet empathetic, an ability that had always been so natural for him.
The blonde Elemental’s eyes were red and swollen from the tears.I knew her pain all too well. Just seeing her wear her shock and grief made my heart sink lower. I sawmein her.
Aster is dead because of me. Chrome became Infernal to spare my life.
Gods, it really would be so much better for everyone if Chrome had just let me die that day. The Elementals needed him to lead them, not fucking kill them off.
When Slate first arrived at the Hollow, others were naturally suspicious, just as they had been with me. But they seemed to be growing accustomed to Kinetic refugees coming to them for safety. Slate, being Slate, didn’t take long to gain their approval and trust.
“I’m so sorry for what you just endured, Lake,” Slate said, his tone compassionate. “Trust me, I do know the pain you’re experiencing.” I looked up at him through my lashes, wondering when he must’ve experienced the pain of losing someone close to him. But then it broadsided me like a metal beam bashing into my face.
Hazel.
“I know you’re in shock right now, but if it wasn’t urgent, I wouldn’t dare ask you. But is there anything you remember from your encounter with Chrome?” Slate asked, his eyes locking onto her in a way that essentially imparted an embrace, offering her the safety he’d always given me.
Lake’s bottom lip trembled on a shaky breath. “All I–all I remember–him saying…” She struggled before gathering herself enough to speak through her strained voice. “Is that-that the wards are weak. And pro-protectyou. And if not—” She whimpered, burying her face in her hands before she could go on. “If not”—she turned her gaze on me, holding it there with accusatory betrayal—“he’ll kill someone new every day until he gets to you.”
My back stiffened, and my breath stalled in my throat.
Slate shuttered his eyes in solemn acceptance that his cousin seemed truly gone. Offering a tight smile, he cleared his throat. “Thank you, Lake. We won’t bother you anymore.” Holding out hishand to rest on her shoulder, his palm glowed, his golden currents igniting against his skin.
Lake sucked in her bottom lip, her head drooping at the light that Slate filled her with. “Tha-thank you.”
