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I rolled my eyes and sighed, “Godsdamnit, I’m so tired of hearing that.” While it’s partially true I want King Forest dead out of vengeance for killing my father, King Jonas, there was much more to it than any of them could fathom.

“Put the boy down.Now.” Two of the knives redirected themselves to point at the two warriors ahead of me.

Hard-Ass scoffed, “No. He goes with us,” he said, followed by a warmth spreading throughout my body, starting on my back.Infrared magic. It rapidly increased in strength until it became scalding. It sucked, but they didn’t know the history of my training, which prepared me for this—no one did.

With time not on my side, I sent the two knives aimed at the men flying like mini-missiles. At the last second, they diverged, one blade targetingHard-Ass and the other his sidekick. With a wetthunk, one of the knives embedded to the hilt into Hard-Ass’s eye, while the other sunk into his companion’s carotid. They dropped to the ground, leaving Dash to fall to the concrete in front of them in an unconscious heap.

Hard-Ass died on impact as the blade pierced his brain. To be safe, I sent another knife to his sidekick’s throat, gashing it open to ensure he couldn’t heal once I retrieved my knives. My darkness sang its victory cry, but as usual, it wanted more.

And it just might get it because more warriors and guards approached, their voices and magic scraping against my senses. I assumed they picked up on my energetic signature after I removed my bracelet.

Fine. I’d kill them all, then.

Using my magic, I removed the knives from the Kinetics’ bodies and brought them before me once more. The beast roared for what was to come as I summoned my other blades to encircle me while I slid my sword free, rotating it as my cold power pulsed through me. My element was hungry as it sensed the threats ahead.

My ears perked at the sound of a nocked arrow on the flat rooftop to my right. I sent a dagger upward. Shadows closed in both ends of the alleyway with the varying abilities of the guild, the most elite of them all.

The assassin from the roof plummeted to the ground with the grotesque crunch of bones.

My heart sang to the fierce call of death. Perhaps these offerings would appease the beast long enough to return to the Hollow with the princess in tow without losing myself completely.

Chapter 13

Gray

Silence greeted me when I exited the elevator to the lobby.

I searched for energies that lay in wait. Only one was nearby, and I knew his aura well.

He hid behind a corner a few paces away. I strode with relaxed indifference toward the exit.

I felt the energy of a weapon slice through the air, aimed at my back. Stepping aside, it whizzed past while I summoned blue electrical magic to my palms. I spun around to find Golden Figgaro’s arrogant sneer. His hair gleamed like a polished nugget from the California gold mines.

Cowardly piece of shit.

The reigning Kinetic Tournament champion glared at me with empty eyes. I gazed into the dark depths of a cloudy sea, wondering what Scarlett found attractive about him. Not a kind line marked his face.

“The king sent you as his last hope to stop me.” It wasn’t a question.

Golden’s grin taunted me while orange currents traced his arms and neck, indicating his infrared abilities. “You’ll never compare to the likes of Chrome. You didn’t even enter the Kinetic Tournament,” he said, reminding me of when my father denied me the opportunity this past year. “I’ll surpass Chrome’s legacy one day, but killing you will be a great startin earning King Forest’s confidence. He’ll wonder why he ever wasted his time on you.”

I cocked an eyebrow. “I wonder the same thing about Scarlett. Surely there are bigger dicks in the bag.”

Golden’s lip pulled back from his teeth, hurling a red, energetic spear at my chest. I sidestepped again, but this time, into the brawny arms of a warrior. Thick biceps curled around my throat in a tightening chokehold.

It caught me by surprise. However, I remained focused on Golden, launching a compact ball of my magic at him.

Judging by his inferior training, I assumed it was a guard that held me.

I kicked behind me with the heel of my boot, slamming into his shin. He cried out and loosened his grip. I ducked under his arm and spun, grabbing my blue-lit dagger from my weapons belt designed to kill Elementals, not Kinetics. The blade arced across his throat, and his eyes widened in shock. Sheets of blood cascaded down his throat and soaked into his black guardsman uniform.

His body dropped to the floor in a heap of pain. It wouldn’t kill him, but he was out of the way, at least.

My victory was short-lived, sensing an incoming attack from behind. I snatched a second dagger from my weapons belt and twisted to block the blow my magic felt coming. Blue blades clashed, clanging out in the palatial lobby. My right dagger collided with Golden’s broadsword. He had me at a disadvantage with his strength, so I turned to my agility. I sidestepped and slashed upward diagonally from his stomach to his chest. He retreated two steps, but it was enough for me to take the offensive.

With a flick of my wrist, I shifted the grip I had on my left dagger, angling the tip downward. I stalked toward him, finding his weaknesses.

Golden’s nostrils flared with a clenched jaw. Rage seethed within his barren eyes while he took a defensive stance with his broadsword.