Page 131 of A Reign of Chromes & Shadows

“I’m still allowed to touch you on the course, right?” he murmured bitterly into Jay’s hair. His heart clenched painfully. “Or is that off-bounds too?”

Jay stiffened. Wren shot Rain a glare. He didn’t blame her; he was being an ass.

“I just need to know if I’m carrying you through this like we planned. If not, fine.”

“Yes,” Jay said stiffly. “I’m still injured. I can’t take my full weight on my arms or climb the heights unassisted.”

“Okay. I’ve got you.” Rain leaned close. Jay’s energy fluttered; attraction sparking beneath the anger.

Rain hated it.

Hated the contradiction.

Was he supposed to fight for him or walk away?

The alarm sounded.

They surged forward.

Jasmine and Wren sprinted up the steep slope. Thomas, Rogan, and Sean dove into the tunnels. Rain followed the girls, using his power to push the team upward. At the top, he waved them on.

Jay stared over the drop; pale.

“Trust me,” Rain said, handing him the rope. Jay nodded, sitting on the edge.

“Drop off. I’ll take your weight with my power and ease you down. Just walk your hands.”

“Okay, I can do that” Jay whispered, more to himself than Rain.

“Yes, you can. I’ve got you.”

Jay’s breath shook. Rain squeezed his hand.

“Let’s win this. Then we’ll figure everything else out.”

Jay bit his lip and eased over the edge. Rain guided him down gently, then turned to the towering frame above.

Jasmine and Wren were already scaling it. Rain’s target was higher.

He climbed the ladder, then balanced on the top beam. Four diagonal poles formed a pyramid above him. Other teams were shimmying up the sides, but Rain positioned himself dead centre.

He inhaled deeply.

Bent his knees and jumped.

He caught the narrowing poles with both hands. His shoulders screamed. The crowd roared; to them, it looked like he’d narrowly avoided a deadly fall.

He climbed the rest of the structure, alternating grips until he reached the peak. He paused, scanning the maze below; Jay and Emily grabbed a flag at a dead end.

Then he snatched the highest flag, tucked it into his waistband, and launched himself downward, sliding along the poles and dropping onto the ladder.

Jasmine and Wren met him at the maze entrance, waving their flags triumphantly.

Rain grinned; breathless, adrenaline sharp in his veins and guided them toward the others, following the familiar pull of his team’s energy.

“Go to the platform. I’ll get the boys through the maze,” Rain ordered, passing Jasmine and Wren his flag. They nodded and sprinted off without hesitation.

Rain turned back into the maze, ready to scale the wall; when Rogan launched off the ledge above him.