Page 236 of A Reign of Chromes & Shadows

But he could not escape fate.

Rain would catch up with him eventually.

But Snow needed him now.

The snow deepened as they followed the carved-out path left by fleeing soldiers. Frosted mounds rose on either side, the terrain shaped by Snow’s earlier power. They rounded a bend and there she was.

Snow fought alone, locked in combat with two pyro-forged Reds, her breath misting in the frigid air, her stance unwavering.

Rain turned to Jay and Jacklynn. Their faces were pale, wide-eyed, mirroring the terror of the battlefield around them. He softened his expression deliberately, trying to look less like the force of nature he had just unleashed.

“Stay here,” he instructed, gesturing toward a towering mound of snow, high enough to conceal them completely. “Remain out of sight. Call for me at the first sign of danger.”

They nodded, moving stiffly, almost mechanically, as they slipped behind the snowy barrier.

Rain didn’t waste another heartbeat.

He surged forward, channelling his power outward. The nearest attacker was yanked off balance, dragged across the snow toward him. Themale twisted mid-slide, landing in a crouch only a few feet away, flames igniting around his hands as he prepared to strike.

Rain’s lips curled into a wicked smile. He beckoned him forward with a flick of his fingers.

“Those look awfully cosy,” Rain mocked, eyes glinting as the flames brightened, doubling in size. Shadows danced across his features. “Even better.”

He spared a quick glance toward Snow—she was holding her own—the pyro-forged male charged. A burst of heat slammed into Rain’s chest, forcing him back a step, but he barely reacted. The male laughed, adjusting his stance, readying another strike.

Rain brushed the lingering heat from his shirt as though dusting off snow.

The pyro-forged soldier hesitated. Confusion flickered across his face. His power should have burnt, singed, melted flesh; yet it hadn’t even slowed him.

Readjusting his approach the male rushed at him, his heat a white-hot blaze as he spun hit after hit. Flames kissed along Rain’s forearms as he effortlessly blocked each attack.

At the first sign of hesitation, Rain struck fast. A single, decisive blow sent the man reeling, clutching his jaw, disbelief etched across his features.

“How?” he rasped, spitting blood into the snow.

“What are you asking?” Rain grinned as he stalked up to him and grabbed him by the collar, anchoring him in place. The male grabbed onto his wrists; flames surged again, heat blooming between them, warming Rain’s frost kissed nose.

“Why isn’t it burning you?” he demanded, pushing his flames higher.

Rain’s smile sharpened.

“Oh, that? Are you even trying? All I feel is warmth. It’s rather pleasant, really.” The male growled, Rain laughed. “It turns out I’m fireproof,fucking glorious, isn’t it? Disappointing for you I suppose. Well, you and me both. Now… if your power inflicted pain, you’d be far more interesting.”

Frustration twisted the man’s expression. He extinguished the flames and clawed at Rain’s arm, desperate to break free. Rain tightened his grip, then delivered a swift, brutal strike that dropped him to the ground. The man groaned, dazed, struggling beneath Rain’s weight.

Rain straddled the male, pinning him between his thighs, the male squirmed and buckled, clawing to break free. He couldn’t.

He was inadequate in every way, barely worth the effort.

But Rain’s anger churned in his gut. He cracked his fist against the pathetic male’s temple.

“This is for your part in kidnapping my friend,” Rain said, voice low and cold. He struck again. “And this—this is for attacking my sister and this––is for”

He drew back for another blow—

“Rain, that’s enough!”

Snow’s voice cut through the storm. Rain froze, arm suspended mid-air. She stood exactly as he remembered her from the stadium: unharmed, unshaken, powerful.