Page 154 of A Reign of Chromes & Shadows

“Or send the slowest first and make up time,” Jasmine offered.

“That’s risky,” Rain said. “Wren’s plan is better. And I don’t think my power can help us this time. We’ll need to win on our own merits.”

Jasmine’s eyes widened.

“What if there are falls? Can you help prevent that?”

Rain sighed.

“Maybe. I could cushion a fall. But I can’t be everywhere at once. And trying to speed someone up from a distance? Too dangerous. My nudges push people faster than their legs can handle. And in a crowded arena, with my empathic power stretched thin… the risk is too high.”

He lifted his hands in surrender.

“No shortcuts this time.”

“Ok, so we win this the old-fashioned way. No problem!” Jasmine said through gritted teeth, punching the air in a half-hearted cheer. Her ponytail bounced with the motion, but the strain in her smile betrayed her nerves.

“Alright, let’s hit it, guys. Three laps around the field, meeting back here.”

She flashed a quick grin and took off, her strides long and confident. Wren followed close behind, her braid whipping against her back like a metronome.

Rain fell into step a few seconds later, easing into a fast jog. The morning air tasted crisp, tinged with the faint scent of cut grass and the rubbery tang of the track. His boots thudded rhythmically against the ground, each impact sending a small jolt up his legs, grounding him, steadying him.

He kept a deliberate distance from Jay.

Being near him was suffocating.

Being far from him was agony.

But this middle ground, was survivable.

He could have put up his shield, shut out Jay’s emotions entirely, but he couldn’t bring himself to sever the connection. Even muted, Jay’s aura tugged at him like a frayed thread caught on his ribs. The warmth that used to pour from him, he feel of home, was gone. But what remained was still… familiar. Still Jay.

During warm-ups, Jay’s emotions had flickered wildly:

Regret.

Longing.

Annoyance.

Resolve.

Fear.

More longing.

It was a storm Rain couldn’t ignore, no matter how hard he tried.

Now, with distance between them, Rain could finally breathe. His lungs expanded fully for the first time that morning, and the tension in his shoulders began to melt. He focused on the rhythm of his steps, the burn in his calves, the wind brushing against his cheeks. He let the physicality of the run bleed out some of the stress coiled inside him.

By the time he finished his laps, he felt… good.

Lighter.

Almost himself again.

He even felt the familiar itch; the pull to get back into a session with Raymon, to push his body until his mind quieted completely.