Chapter Twenty-One
Chrome
The Kinetic Guard dropped to the pebbles in a limp heap, his soul flowing from his aura to fuel me. Forest stood a few feet away, arms crossed over his chest as he rolled his eyes at my replenishment. The weakness in my arms and legs subsided, replaced by overwhelming strength that carried me forward. Meanwhile, euphoria expanded in my head and chest like an inflating balloon until I swore I would implode from within.
“Are you done? Can we move along now?” Forest griped, still pissed about the grin I’d given him back in my chambers at Goshen Castle. After we’d landed in New York, he’d managed to find a water fountain to clean the blood from himself while he healed.
“You’re lucky I don’t kill you next,” I said, breathless.
“Just because you’re a death-bringer now, doesn’t mean you can kill me. I still own you, boy.”
I popped my neck, tilting my head from side to side. “Only because I allow it.”
Forest grunted, choosing to ignore my jab as he turned to walk into the skyscraper overlooking the desolate and littered New YorkCity skyline. The apocalyptic scene warred with the once-bustling city that I’d frequented many years ago. The only people who thrived here now were Kinetics and black-market runners.
Forest held his palm to the screen at the side of the tall black door, letting it acknowledge his signature—a newer feature that I’d seen beginning to spread to different domains. Once it beeped, the lock clicked, and Forest let us inside.
In usual Kinetic fashion, ornate and grandiose decor glistened around us. Crystal glittered from the tall ceiling in the foyer, and gold lined the spiral staircase rails leading to the multiple floors of the high-end apartment building. All the pretty things could never mask the depravity that burrowed within them, despite how much they tried.
Forest straightened, pushing his chin out as he impatiently searched the empty domain for a greeting. I smirked, seeing his thinly veiled unease materialize in his white-knuckled, fidgeting fingers. If Royal’s reaction to seeing him at the Charleston Domain indicated anything, it was that he had some groveling to do with his people before he went around demanding favors. His arrogance hadn’t allowed him to consider the fallout of his decision to abandon the Kinetics for his quest to find the Seraphite Stone.
I crossed my arms over my chest, growing impatient as the minutes passed. Where were the Kinetics? Why hadn’t someone clocked us being here yet?
“I’m about to leave. This is pointless,” I hissed—such a waste of time.
But no sooner had the words escaped my lips than a male voice came from the carpeted landing. “Ah. How lovely of you to grace us, Your Majesty.” The familiar man, clad in leisurely black attire, came into view. His fake smile hid all the hatred I knew festered deep within his soul for Forest. “How can I be of assistance to you today?”
“Sage,” Forest greeted. “It’s been a few months. I apologize for my extended absence. I hope all has been well here in New York.”
Sage Sjodin narrowed his eyes, shifting them between the two of us as he worked to piece together what was happening. The last time I saw Sage, I’d been only sixteen. According to Slate, Forest had transferred him to the New York City Domain not long after I disappeared from the King’s Palace, due to growing conflicts of interest within the higher ranks. But I always suspected there had been more to it. Sage had been part of our small insurgency back then, so I was sure it was quite the surprise to see me standing at his side now, much less alive.
“Oh,” Forest started, as if he just remembered he had me there with him. “It seems our Chrome has been playing a little game of hide and seek all along.”
“What of Griffin Silas then? And what of the Royal Domain?” Sage’s jaw clenched. “What have you done this time, Forest?”
“All in good time, my old friend. There are a few things I need to handle first before we can begin the rebuilding efforts.”
I cocked my head to the side, chewing on my inner cheek, remaining silent in this exchange.
Sage cleared his throat before he finally decided to descend the staircase, taking his time as he went. When he reached the bottom, he approached his king, only a few inches separating their chests. “Where’s my son?”
Forest chuckled, a hint of nervousness quavering in the deep baritone of his rumble. “I haven’t seen him, but I’m sure he'll be fine.”
I smiled to myself, knowing exactly where Cotton was, but I felt no need to elaborate for either of them. Cotton wasn’t part of my mission, and neither was appeasing a washed-up king. “We’re here for a reason, King Forest. Please, try to stay on track.”
Sage cut his gaze to me, eyes pinched in suspicion. Little did he know that my loyalty didn’t go to anyone. Only to Gray. But still, a part of me really wanted to tell him I didn’t stand with Forest any more than I had ten years ago. The idea of willingly working with Forest revolted me.
Forest took a step back from Sage, placing his hands into the pockets of his blazer as he leveled him with his usual impassive stare, the one that demanded obedience. As if he remembered who he’d been prior to the collapse of the Royal Domain, he said, “You’re coming with me. I’m reappointing you to another location. You’re now the Lord of the Charleston Domain. Pack your things.”
After an hour of waiting,I traveled the three of us back to the Charleston Domain. All I wanted to do was dump off Sage on their doorstep, grab Royal, and travel back to the Goshen Kingdom. But naturally, Forest had to put on a show like he actually gave a fuck about his people, so that required conversations. Conversations that I wanted no part of. My presence alone demanded answers that I was tempted to give, regardless of how counterintuitive it would be.
I drifted away from the others, letting Forest and Sage get acquainted with everyone. The white mansion was beautiful and lavish, as Kinetics were in their tastes. I decided to wander through the premises, wondering how my life could’ve fared differently if I’d grown up here instead. It seemed somewhat peaceful, considering it was a Kinetic domain. It resembled something that Elementals would live in.
A Spanish moss oak tree bloomed and wafted over the front lawn, the primary focal point of the landscaping. Crickets and cicadas called out into the night, and frogs croaked a symphony of mating calls. I took a seat beneath the tree, letting the moss shield me from the others’ view. I propped my forearms on my knees, not leaning against the trunk. My sleeve rose up my arm, exposing my blackened veins that I kept hidden from the public.
While I missed my silver currents and my connection to my element, I was growing more acquainted with my death-bringing abilities as time moved on. The connection I felt toward the Elementalsand Kinetics had severed not long after I’d taken the oath to Celanea. I craved power, and I craved Gray. And I would have it all by the end of everything.
As if the thought of Gray summoned the waning bond we shared, I felt a jolt from her end, stronger than before. The emotions struck me. An overpowering shock of lust had me hardening within my pants. A smile grew on my face as I remembered how addictive she tasted. How her body felt pressed against mine. How her pussy felt squeezing my cock.
