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That was liberating.

After basking in my minor victory for a few minutes, my thoughts returned to Chrome. What was going on with him? Surely he couldn’t be that drunk because of me? He’d said there was more that I didn’t understand. What more could there possibly be?

I didn’t know how long I’d remained on that large boulder. A couple of hours passed, judging by the sun. Along with my mood, it sank beneath the horizon, stealing the day’s warmth with it. I pulled my hoodie back on.

A weight sat on my chest, crushing me, as I recalled Chrome’s lifeless stare that said so much while he’d said so little. I had to make this right. I wasn’t sure how, but I’d do it because no one deserved that level of pain.

It was dark when I approached the front porch of the lodge. That didn’t mean it was abandoned. Elementals loitered about in conversation and laughter. Now and then, I’d see a shadow floating in the air, and after closer inspection, I’d see it was a piece of wood or stone being lazily guided by the wielder, as if it was their companion.

It grew more difficult to keep my Kinetic form hidden. The need to set my currents free and my magic flowing set me on edge. Onyx and Chrome liberated their Kinetic forms. Perhaps it would be accepted if I did, too. More than likely, I was overthinking the idea I’d step on toes too soon. I wasn’t willing to risk upsetting the kindness they’d granted me in providing a place to stay.

My boots clunked up the sturdy wooden steps of the vast front porch. Lights illuminated it in sconces, creating a cozy atmosphere. I rushed through the hulking double doors with plans to isolate in the privacy of my room.

“Gray!” A sharp voice caught my attention to my right.

My steps hitched, and I scanned the area for the voice.

River. And beside her sat Aella and Onyx.

I internally groaned. It wasn’t that I didn’t like them; I simply needed solitude. Especially after my encounter with Chrome. “Hey, I was just headed…” I cast my eyes toward the ornate, spiraling staircase.

“Over here,” River said. Onyx held his usual smug smile. Aella was stiff and looked at me with a wary gaze.

“I’m tired. I need to…”

“Come here.” River crossed her arms over her chest. Her severe expression left no room for argument.

Resigned, I sulked over to the three Elementals sitting within a group of lofty cushioned chairs. Glasses of brown and clear liquor sat atop the oak coffee table in the middle of their group.

I approached the trio. River sat stiff-backed in the chair with one leg draped perfectly over the other. Onyx propped his ass on the arm of Aella’s chair. Her elbow perched on the other arm, resting her jaw on her fist as she assessed me.

I raised my brows, my hands going to my waist as I faced them. “Is it important?”

River gave me a slow smile. It was Onyx, however, who answered, “Of course it’s important. You’re hanging out with us tonight.”

I sighed, noting the acoustic guitar leaning against the chair. “I’m tired and just wanna shower and go to bed.”

“Dude!” Onyx said. “Can I call you that? Or do you prefer your highness? Or lady? Or—”

“Shut up, O,” River piped in with a sharp eye roll.

“As I was saying…” Onyx cut in again. “It’s only seven. You can’t go to bed that early,” he said, appalled at the idea.

“If she wants to go, let her. Clearly she doesn’t want to be around us.” Aella narrowed her blue-and-white eyes as she addressed me for the first time. She had opinions, and it was obvious she didn’t trust me. I didn’t fault her for that.

I dropped my arms. “It’s not that I don’t want to be around you. I’m just tired, overwhelmed even. There’s so much I’m still processing.” I held out my golden palms as if that explained everything.

Onyx nodded in understanding and dropped his eyes. River’s violet gaze seared through me. “You need to decompress, Gray. Look, I’m not the social type either. Ask anyone. But even I need to be around others. Come chill with us.”

I dropped my shoulders in defeat with a sigh. “Fine. But I’m gonna need a drink.”

Aella cracked the smallest of smiles as if I’d passed some test I was unaware of. Onyx jumped to his feet. “I’ll go! We need refills, anyway.”

If Chrome could get blasted drunk in the middle of the day, then I could have a few. I think I was entitled to it after the past week.

Aella turned out to be fun. It was a pleasant surprise, considering her distant behavior toward me from day one.

After having consumed a few glasses of ‘shine, I loosened up around the trio. I found them rather easy to converse and joke with.