Page 117 of A Reign of Chromes & Shadows

Ember was… using her power.

The flames ahead dimmed as they approached.

Rain dropped Briar and Rose to their feet and sprinted toward the chaos.

Renn stood trembling, clothes melted to his arms, skin blistered — but alive. Scarlet knelt in the dirt, sobbing, her back to everyone. Short and Hamish worked frantically on Renn’s burns. Ember stood nearby, horrified, her pillowcase dress scorched to tatters.

Rain stripped off his shirt, then his undershirt, and crouched before Ember.

“Ember, look at me,” he said gently. “Are you hurt?”

She shook her head, trembling.

“Here. You can wear my t-shirt.”

He slipped the shirt over her head. It swallowed her tiny frame, pooling around her ankles.

“You ate it!” Briar cried, wrapping her arms around her sister.

“She sure did,” Hamish said, glancing over. “She saved his life and mine. Scarlet woke too fast. I dropped her just in time before she exploded; straight at them. They were doused in flames. I thought they were goners, but Ember sucked all the fire up like a vacuum.” He made a whistling sound, “Cleaned them right up. Then she cleared the flames around us. Bloody impressive for such a tiny thing.”

Rain looked at Ember with awe.

“Wow. You did really well,” he said softly, rubbing her arms. She shivered violently, slipping into shock.

Scarlet sobbed to the left.

Briar clung to Ember.

Rose—

Where was Rose?

Rain scanned for her signature; fear spiked like a flare through his channels.

He found her.

Locked in Vass’s arms.

He had her pinned against his body, one arm cinched around her waist. Her delicate hands pressed against his chest as he stroked her face, brushing curls behind her ear as his lips dragged hungrily along her jaw.

Rage detonated inside Rain.

The girls had endured enough.

He would not allow them to endure more harm; especially not from his own men.

He sprinted.

He grabbed Vass by the hair and ripped him away from Rose. She fell back with a cry. Rain wrapped an arm around Vass’s throat, cutting off his air. Vass clawed at his forearm, choking.

“Rose—go to your sisters!” Rain barked. “Tell Short she is ordered to protect you at all costs. Go!”

She fled, terrified.

Vass slammed his elbow back, connecting with Rain’s ribs. Pain exploded through Rain’s side. His grip loosened. Vass tore free.

Rain lunged.