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“Don’t,” I said through clenched teeth. “Don’t speak to her like that.” My magic thrummed through my body, both parts, electrifying me and wanting to burst. I shook trying to hold in.

Void slowly turned his head toward me, cocking a brow. The silence was heavy as everyone waited with bated breath to see how this would turn out. With a quirk of his lip, he said, “I knew it.”

“What?” I snapped.

“I guess this bond between you two is real, after all.” Void laughed deeply before turning his attention back to Gray. It was rare to hear his laugh. But when he did, it meant something. “I hate to admit it, Princess, but you’re growing on me. Just a little. If there’s anyone with bigger pride issues than you, it’s him,” he quipped, nodding his head in my direction. Void rubbed his bottom lip with his forefinger and thumb. “I’m still going to give you shit on a daily basis. Don’t think otherwise.”

The bond told me that Gray was confused by his acceptance of her, but I understood he could tell a difference in me since her arrival.

Gray bit her bottom lip, trying not to smile. “Sure. And I’m gonna continue to show off my charming personality until you officially crack. It’s my main goal here.”

“Your main goal?” I asked with a tilt of my head. What the hell went on in those sessions?

“Yes, Oh, Mighty Chrome, it is. I do not wish to elaborate, so if you have an issue with it, please…take the floor.” Gray swept an arm in front of her to elaborate her point.

Onyx leaned over to whisper to River, “What the fuck just happened?”

River shook her head, meeting Aella’s knowing expression as they communicated something silently to one another. “You wouldn’t understand, dumbass.”

I sighed and leaned back in my seat. “Onyx,” I said, grabbing his attention. “You and I need to fortify the wards over the Hollow to ensure Forest can’t find it and sneak attack us.”

“Absolutely.”

“How does your magic work for that?” Gray asked, looking between Onyx and me.

“The energy that auras put off are electromagnetic, so I’m able to suppress that output while Onyx’s infrared magic can suppress all of our heat signatures. It’s not perfect, but it’s enough to keep us off Forest’s radar to keep other Kinetic’s from digging further.”

Gray smiled. “Nothing like using Kinetic magic against the Kinetic king to hinder his goals. I’m here for it. Let me know if I can help.”

My heart swelled with pride to see her stepping into acceptance. I never doubted that she would.

“Shield!”

Gray struggled to wield her element as a weapon, either of the offensive or defensive variety. I launched daggers and knives at her without the use of my hands. It might’ve been a bit unfair as she wasn’t allowed weapons of her own to ward off my attacks. But she needed to gain control and mastery of her element.

Gray cursed, ducked, and dodged the blades that kept flying at her. And once I ran out of blades, I stole Orion’s. “You know you could’ve just used your fallen blades from the ground, right?” he asked from beside me, arms crossed over his chest as he watched the tragedy that was Gray unfold.

“Yeah, I know,” I responded as I slid another dagger from his belt with my element. He tried to grab it but wasn’t fast enough. “But this is more fun.”

“I'm gonna fucking kill you, Chrome!” Gray shouted at me as she leaped over a flying blade and rolled across the grass with surprising grace.

“Then you might wanna shield from me so that you can, Princess,” I retorted, a wry grin on my face. “Maybe one day, you’ll follow through on your empty threats.” Somehow, she managed to toss up the middle finger in the midst of a dodge.

“Should we stop? I feel like we should stop at this point,” Orion muttered.

“Nah, it’s good for her cardio.”

Orion just shook his head and tried to hide his laughter through his rolled-in lips.

Once all the blades were gone—Orion’s and mine included—and I’d recycled them from the ground for another round, I finally called it quits, letting Gray breathe.

“Why can’t you build a shield?” I approached her heaving form, hunched over and leaning her weight on her knees.

If looks could kill, she might have actually succeeded in my murder at that point. “Fuck off.”

“Wrong.” I inched closer, breathing the same air as her, reveling in the viciousness that thrived in her soul. I needed it to come out; I needed her to be prepared for it. “I’ll ask again, why can’t you build,” I paused, dropping my voice deep and quiet, holding her glaring rainbow eyes, “afuckingshield?”

Orion had been working with her, but she hadn’t managed it yet. If she couldn’t build a shield, then she wouldn’t be able to use her element as a weapon.