“I know. And trust me,” I said, my voice softening to show her I did understand, and she was safe with me, “you’ll get there far faster than what will ever be considered normal.”
Gray shook out her arms, loosening her muscles. “I hope so.”
“I know so. I’m proud of you. You should be proud of yourself, though.”
She cleared her throat and shifted uncomfortably. “That will never happen.”
It was like my heart dropped into a freefall at the realization she was probably right. She wasn’t used to others having pride in her, therefore, she didn’t have a clue how to be proud of herself. I didn’t know if that was something I could help her with, but I would try my best. “I hope to be around to see it when you realize that’s not the case.”
Gray chewed on her bottom lip, her black-and-white marbled hair matted to her forehead with sweat. Her gaze didn’t waver, as if trying to determine if she should believe me.
I only dipped my chin in confirmation. “You’ll see.”
“What’s it like?” she asked, catching me off guard.
I crinkled my forehead, not sure what she meant.
“To kill someone,” the princess added. “What’s it like to take a life?”
Thrown by the change of topic, my eyes widened. “Oh,” I said, a sigh following behind. Deciding I’d rather have this conversation while sitting, I sank to the sparring mat and crossed my legs. Gray joined me seconds later, a foot away.
“It’s not something you think much about in the moment. At least, for me,” I explained. “I can’t speak for everyone, but in myexperience, when it comes down to either your life or someone you care about versus the person who’s trying to kill you, it’s an easy choice.”
Gray’s eyes shifted to my biceps, where my Kill Marks branded my skin. My golden currents lit them up as they passed over them.
I reflected on my first kill, remembering the ease with which I took his life, but also, the sickness that overcame me immediately afterward for what I had done.
“What was your first kill like?”
I followed her gaze to my Kill Marks, settling on the first one I’d received a little over a year ago. Echoes of the excruciating ceremony burned to life at the memory. “It was an Elemental who wielded the power of fire. It had been only three weeks since I’d completed my training and was sent out into the field as an official Warrior. Chrome had been designated as my partner, and we hadn’t seen much action at first—until that day.
“Reports had been made of an Elemental depleting humans at professional football games. Kinetic Scouts had tracked that the next appearance would be at an Atlanta Falcons game, so Chrome and I were sent to find and bring the offending Elemental in for interrogation. Except, when we found the Elemental, he refused to leave with us,” I sighed, meeting Gray’s eyes, feeling her intensity boring into me as she listened and digested every word. “A fight broke out. Chrome fought him no problem until the Elemental’s companion that we didn’t know existed appeared to offer support, blindsiding me.
“While Chrome was an incredible fighter, he was new to the field at the time. He was occupied by the fire Elemental while I fought to recover from the other’s blow. Once Chrome realized what happened, he reacted. Something he learned a lesson from that day.” I rubbed the Kill Marks, as if trying to sooth the memory of the burn from them. “He abandoned thefire Elemental he was fighting to go after the companion. He couldn’t use his power within a building full of humans without risking bringing it down and harming innocents, so he lunged for my attacker with his sword, leaving his back open. While Chrome’s attack landed true and pierced the heart of the second Elemental, the initial one took the opportunity to launch a stream of fire at Chrome’s back.”
The smell of charred skin overpowered my nose, remembering when Chrome’s back went up in flames. “I didn’t think. I jumped from the ground and sliced clean through his neck. His head rolling across the floor didn’t seem real at first. But even then, my concern for Chrome won out. He’d managed to roll on the ground to put out the fire on his back. But once I realized he was fine and would heal, the reality of what had just happened sunk in, and my body rejected what I’d just done.” I chuckled before I added, “I threw up everywhere.”
The princess gave me an empathetic smile. “I don’t think it would bother me,” Gray said, turning her attention to a spot on the mat. “I don’t know what that says about me, but I like to think I could kill without hesitation if I’m in the position.”
“There’s nothing wrong with that. Being a Kinetic, I think that’s a necessary survival skill to have. Especially since your father plans for you to become an Assassin.”
Gray jolted, her eyes wide with shock and fear. “What?”
My mouth opened, but no sound came out of it as my heart burst into the furious “oh shit”rhythm that I hated. “Oh, gods. Your father hasn’t told you yet?”
Oh, fuck. I’m fucking dead.
“Of course he hasn’t!” Gray’s shock was soon replaced by her clenched jaw and flaring nostrils. “Fucking gods. I swear my hatred for that man grows every day. When does he plan to tell me? The day I have to pass the test?”
I couldn’t answer her. All I could do was stare blankly into empty space, filing through all the ways that I was going to suffer immensely for blowing something so huge. “Gray,” I said, my voice devoid of any emotion. “I’m not even supposed to know yet. So, please, you can’t let on to him that you know anything.”
Understanding flashed in her eyes before she settled her gaze on me. With her jaw clenched, she conceded with a nod. “I won’t.”
I blew out a stagnant breath. “It wouldn’t be just me who suffers the consequences.”
Chapter 27
Chrome
