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Chrome chuckled. “No, not at all.”

“So, after freeing my Elemental form yesterday, I’m now able to feel your emotions, it seems.”

“Looks that way. But I think when I go into my episodes, that it blocks it off from you. Like I’m losing my connection to the soul bond because of those parts of myself that are declining into devolution. My memories begin to fade, the good ones, because memories are attached to emotions that are engraved in our essence. Losing those alters me in the worst ways,” Chrome said, sadness creeping into his voice.

“We’ll figure it out,” I repeated.

He nodded. “We need to figure out what this bond is capable of. Clearly, it affects our magic. We opened a fucking portal, Gray. Orion and I suspected they existed, but what happened with the beastie-bear caught me off-guard. If we can do that,” he said, pondering out loud. “Then, I wonder what we can do to put an end to Forest.”

I sat up straighter, observing the wheels turning in his mind. “My father fucked up when he created us. His ultimate ambition will be his downfall,” I said, balling my hands into tight fists by my side. “How fucking poetic.”

We arrived back at the lodge to a group of warriors ready to spread out and assess, but they relaxed upon seeing us enter through the front doors. Orion and River made a beeline for us without hesitation.

I remembered the whole reason I left to begin with. Fuck.

“Where the hell have you two been? We’ve been searching everywhere. We were about to go on a battle-ready search party,” River scolded, chastising us with her intensity and sharp glare.

Chrome quirked an eyebrow at her, and she backed down a fraction, remembering who she was talking to. “They left. Gone. It’s safe. I secured the wards.”

I looked up at him from my side, wondering when he might’ve done that, but I wouldn’t question him in front of everyone.

River flitted her scrutinizing stare back and forth between us. “Good. I’ll pass word along to Onyx for them to stand down.” She turned and stalked back to the group of awaiting men and women as she sought out the starlight-haired Kinetic.

I spotted Kodiak and Void among the group. Void gazed straight through me. His thick locs were pulled half up while knives, daggers, and throwing stars adorned his waist and chest. He’d strapped a hefty bow to his back, joined by a quiver of arrows.

Orion remained before us in River’s wake, trying to assess what had transpired. “Everything okay?” His turquoise gaze questioned Chrome.

Chrome smiled reassuringly before peering down his shoulder at me. “Yeah,” he said. I nodded to him before he proceeded, “I think all is going to be okay, Uncle.”

Orion beamed at me. His sandy blond hair was sticking up on the sides. Onyx must’ve roused him from bed. Oops. “Great. I’m relieved to hear it.” He flashed me a subtle wink, no doubt referring to our conversation by the lake.

I offered an awkward smile and glanced away to study the expansive oak tree protruding from the floor in the common area.

“Harlow returned earlier, and she has some news regarding Sergeant Hogan,” Orion began, referring to Kodiak’s sister who served as theemissary for the Hollow. Apparently, she had just returned with information about the human militia leader. “Her source says he’s in possession of something vital to stopping Forest from ascending to the next realm,” Orion explained, mainly looking at Chrome, but he cast pointed glances at me as well.

Chrome stiffened and then scanned the dispersing crowd of warriors. He nodded. “Let’s meet in your office.”

Orion dipped his head before turning on his heel and striding toward the stairs.

I leaned into Chrome. “Am I welcome at this meeting?”

He made a face, suggesting I’d asked an absurd question. “Obviously.” Then he placed a gentle hand between my shoulder blades, urging me to follow Orion.

We weaved through the crowd of Elementals. I kept my chin high and dared a glance at the others as we passed. I assumed they’d be shooting me distrustful looks. So, surprise filled me when I was met with awestruck expressions instead.

I angled my head toward Chrome in question. He smiled in understanding. Leaning down, he murmured in my ear, “You’re not just my Rainbow. You’re theirs, too.”

I wasn’t sure what to make of that. In my experience, people at large weren’t fond of me, much less looked to me for hope. It was overwhelming knowing so many believed I could be the saving grace of our world.

Back in Orion’s office, Chrome sat beside me in the empty seat to my right rather than insisting on standing the entire time.

Orion offered us a drink, and we both declined. I’d had my share earlier. As for Chrome, I think he enjoyed not needing to be drunk in order to be functional.

I was exhausted—mentally and emotionally drained, to be exact. I pushed through the fog to learn what Orion had gleaned in recent hours.

“So, what did Harlow learn?” Chrome asked. He sat alert and poised to take in the news.

Orion gulped down the brown liquor, the glassthunkingagainst the oak desk. “Through her close contact, Jensen, she was able to get Sergeant Hogan’s location at last.”