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“You never tasted the kind that came from my lineage. It was refined and smooth. What I’d do to get my hands on it again,” he said wistfully. After a second, he nodded to the violin still perched in my lap. “Don’t let me stop you. I can sit, drink, and enjoy your music.”

I ran my fingertips over the neck of my instrument, appreciating the smooth texture that always helped ground me. With a nod, I picked it and the bow back up, beginning another mournful melody. This one represented my acceptance of the losses I was doomed to suffer after finally finding true acceptance and love.

Chapter 32

Gray

The next morning, I arrived heavy-eyed in the combat training arena. Pink hues peeked on the horizon, and the cold air seeped into my bones. I desperately craved the warm comfort of the jacuzzi in my bathroom oasis. The leggings and long-sleeved tee I wore provided little protection from the chill.

The arena was yet another wooden structure built by the Elementals. Chrome explained this to me yesterday during our tour of the property. It wasn’t designed like the lodge, where it breathed comfort and home. This place smelled of musk and vengeance.

Like the lodge, beautiful log beams lined the high, vaulted ceilings, but that’s where the similarities ended. There were no wall windows, decorative staircases, or natural oasis embracing its comforting arms around the building. Windows were kept to a minimum and installed near the ceiling. It was an open arena split up into designated sections for training. This place was designed for war prep.

Dummies bordered the oak walls. White lines marked the entire floor with sparring circles. A hallway led to the entry of the training room, where all the weapons were stored and cleaned.

Rows upon rows of built-in nooks stored a cache of various small blades near the dummies. Sorted by their blade styles and sizes, I selected an array to test—three knives, two daggers, and five throwing stars—and slid them into my weapons belt. I backed up to the marker line on the floor to stand near the opposite wall.

I hadn’t stretched, but it didn’t matter. In real-world situations, I never got the chance to warm up before a fight. I wielded the knife in my hand, growing familiar with its hilt in my palm. Its blade had a slight curve to it, making it different from what I was accustomed to. The throwing blades Kinetics used are shaped similarly to the kunai. Its blade weight was heavier, whereas the one I held was lighter and more balanced.

I closed my eyes and breathed in deeply, imagining the knife’s tip piercing my target between the eyes. I shifted my body into the proper stance, holding the hilt in the correct grip. When I opened my eyes, I released my breath. On the exhale, I launched the knife with power and ease. It cleaved the air apart while it sailed and rotated into the target. It didn’t hit the perfect mark, but it was close. The curve and the weight difference in the blade threw me off.

Void’s baritone voice vibrated through the weapons’ area. “Not bad for changing blade styles.”

Elementals strolled in as others prepped their blades and stretched their muscles to begin their training for the day.

Void stood off to the side of the blades’ cache with his dark, corded arms crossed over his chest. His vacant stare assessed me, and I squirmed under his scrutiny. He’d pulled his locs back into a low ponytail that draped down his back.

I shrugged. “Throwing blades have always been my favorite.”

He maintained his vacant stare. “You are too unaware of your surroundings,” he finally said after several quiet beats.

I raised an eyebrow and shifted my stance to square my shoulders. “That is not true.”

“I have to disagree, Princess. You were trained in the art of combat and to wield your Kinetic powers, but they absolutely failed you in the art ofawareness. You have enough to get by, but it would be most beneficial for you to improve those skills.”

“My ability allows me to sense any movement, sound—” I began.

“Yes,” Void cut in, “but that’s the problem. When rendered without your abilities, you’re left vulnerable. You depend on your abilities too much. From Chrome’s account, every situation you found yourself in, you were caught unaware without your abilities. It’s almost as if your father designed that little programming flaw as a failsafe for him to exploit. It’s your weakness. So, let’s fix it.”

My stony mask fell into place as I combed through his words, reflecting on all the events that led me here. I’d been unaware when Chrome—posing as Griffin—got the best of me. I’d been unaware of the redfern in my drink at the revel. I’d been unaware when ambushed outside of the tattoo parlor, while Chrome had already picked up on it.

Was it possible I could’ve avoided the beastie-bear’s paralyzing blow if I’d been more aware?

I shoved my bruised pride aside as I studied Void. He emitted an unsaid strength. I wondered why he was so qualified for this sort of thing. “So, what makes your training any different from a master trainer?” The question wasn’t meant to be snarky; I was genuinely curious.

Void took a step forward, then another. Each step, meticulous, until he stood inches in front of me. He breathed in a slow, deep breath. “Look into my eyes. What do you see?” he asked.

It was uncomfortable, staring into a stranger’s eyes with intensity. Aside from the black eyes ringed in silver, his gaze remained vacant, devoid of life. I gasped. “Nothing. I don’t…see… anything.” I searched between each of his eyes, trying to figure out what I was missing.

He gave a curt nod. “Exactly. It is because I can’t see. I’m blind.”

“That’s impossible,” I said, shaking my head. But he knew I’d almost hit my mark… “How? Elementals can heal…”

“It was a Kinetic ability that eradicated my vision.” His expression was flat. “But it is why I’m able to help you with this skill set.”

Understanding slammed into me as I overcame the shock of a blind Elemental. I’d never heard of a case where either race was robbed of their senses since we could heal. It shouldn’t be possible.

“What kind of power caused it?” I asked, curiosity getting the best of me.