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I soaked in the brief quietude that always existed in Cotton’s presence. He appeared calm and composed, but the heaviness in his eyes exposed his anxiety.

We were safe for the moment, but I wasn’t sure how long it would last. I used the reprieve to take deep, slow breaths and to savor my magic’s return.

I shook my wrists where the cuffs had bound me. Plan A was an absolute failure. I was only meant to prevent Forest from sending a search party after me while Cotton held off the guards and Scarlett got weapons, but that plan got turned sideways with Grim.

The elevator came to a standstill.

I braced for any surprises waiting on the other side of the doors. The doors ground open, and…thank the gods, no one was there to ambush us.

Cotton glanced at me and nodded, signaling for me to take the lead. I didn’t hesitate.

Running feet sounded levels below. But with our limited time, we were clear.

Ascending to only a few floors below the King’s Suite, I knew we were on Cotton’s floor, where the higher-ranking Kinetics resided. After having left his suite only an hour earlier, I recognized that the door at the end of the hallway belonged to him.

Struggling to balance Scarlett in his arms, he typed in the code on the keypad to his suite.

Once inside, I followed Cotton into the guest room, where he laid Scarlett on the bed I’d previously occupied.

“Is she okay?” I asked, walking up to the bedside and taking in her unconscious form. The reality of what we had just gone through hit me as I gazed at her.

After one final scan, Cotton nodded and exited the room. He beckoned me to follow him with a wave over his shoulder.

Cotton padded through the spotless suite to the main bedroom. Like the rest of the King’s Palace, it was lavish, with a white marble kitchen floor, high-end appliances, and fine furniture from the renovations pre-Devolution Day. It was much smaller than the King’s Suite but larger than the commoner’s because of his inquisitor position.

I stopped in the doorway of his bedroom, observing his living space. Like the guest room, it was bare of anything with personal value.

I didn’t comment as he rummaged through his closet. Moments later, he reappeared with a stuffed duffel bag and shoved it in my arms. He nodded to the bag, indicating for me to inspect the contents.

I found black leathers, cowls, and fingerless gloves that I usually wore for missions. Scarves, thin hoodies, and combat boots were shoved in there to accompany them. Mixed in were comfort clothes like leggings and tees I’d need to blend in amongst humans. They’d also stuffed other essential amenities within the smaller pockets. Hidden at the bottom were my weapons of choice: Kinetic daggers and throwing knives designed to weaken and kill Elementals, along with magnetic bracelets to hide my nature.

I looked up at Cotton, relief pouring through me. Cotton dipped his head in response before brushing past me into the kitchen. I trailed him to the counter, where he scrawled on a pad of yellow paper.

The guards are cleared. I threw them off course. Told them to watch the east exit. At least, that’s where they were heading before I found you in the training room. You need to leave now.

I nodded in agreement but noted the ruined dress that clung to me in tatters. I needed to change. Cotton understood and pointed in the direction of the bathroom.

Rummaging through the duffle, I snagged the leathers and mission gear before jogging to the washroom. After about five minutes, I was finished and returned feeling much more capable of facing whatever obstacles lay ahead.

I studied his profile. His light olive gaze found mine. Hardened lines ingrained his forehead from frowning in thought as if he was always looking between the lines. A silver scar marred the crease of his lips in an inward arc. It was the first time I’d noticed it, and I wondered what the cause had been.

“Is it possible for me to absorb some energy before I leave? I have a feeling I’m going to need it,” I asked, redirecting my attention back to his intense gaze.

Cotton furrowed his brows and looked up at the ceiling. He pointed a finger at the lights as though questioning whether that would suffice or not.

I nodded. “Yeah, that’s perfect. Thanks.” Scarlett would need his energy to help heal once she regained consciousness, so I didn’t blame him for not wanting to energy-share.

Taking a deep breath, I focused on the light waves that emitted from the LED bulbs in the fixtures and absorbed them. The lights in the room flickered and dimmed before blacking out for several breaths. I turned my focus to the ultraviolet light streaming in from the windows until I felt another rush of energy rejuvenate me. Sunlight was always a potent source, but I had the unusual luxury of being able to absorb different forms of energy on the spectrum to replenish. And finally, I listened for the hum of the electricity and drew it into my aura.

With my energetic magic fully restored, blue currents sped up and down my arms.

I let out a sensual moan at the euphoric feeling, forgetting where I was. I peeked an eye open. Cotton sported the smallest of smiles, which transformed his face into the attractive man he truly was.

I cleared my throat and looked away. Cotton’s knowing smirk teased me, furthering my embarrassment. “Okay,” I said, holding up a hand. “Just because you’re exceptionally great at reading people doesn’t mean you can taunt me like that. It’s been a while since I’ve had a good fuck.”

Cotton bit his bottom lip while running a hand over his mouth to hide his smile. This would be the second time within a three-hour time span I’d gotten aroused in his presence. He was going to get the wrong idea if I wasn’t careful.

Selfishly, I wished he could talk so I didn’t feel compelled to. Squeezing my thighs together, I looked at the door as if it would save me from this humiliating situation.