cloudy with a Chance of freedom

chapter 18

I am so sorry minna! I was snowed in and it was too dangerous to visit the library until the snow melted (it's at the bottom of a steep hill). So to make up for being gone so long I'll post a double update!

Renato spat out a bit more blood, both thankful and hating the fact he was a Sun.

He was glad it was keeping him alive, but rather unhappy since it meant everything felt fresh when the thugs tried to 'loosen him up' when it came to their Sky. The woman had taken one look at him and there was this gleam in her eyes that made his skin crawl.

The fact he was too strong for her to subvert was a blessing though. He had heard things about how Skies could make their Guardians submit to them through their Flames...how the Harmony factor could make them little more than mindless puppets eager for their next fix.

So it was with great surprise that he heard an explosion that wasn't exactly in the distance, but wasn't particularly close either.

"What is going on out there?" demanded the pampered little Sky. He was really starting to hate her.

"It seems we're being attacked, my lady," said the Storm.

"Well deal with them! I am not losing this Sun!" she practically shrieked in her simpering voice.

Renato sneered at her. If this was what Skies were like, he'd be better off having nothing to do with them.

Some wanted him for his skills as a budding hit man. Some wanted him because of his abnormal strength in Sun Flames. Others wanted him because of his looks and the fact he was clearly growing into them or his contacts.

Either way he was being hounded by Families left and right and wanted nothing to do with any of them. The only reason they even took an interest in him was because he was starting to make a name for himself in very short order.

It took him a minute to realize that the explosions had stopped, but the sound of fighting hadn't. Then the door blew open and he had to stare at a sight he'd never thought possible.

Skull, the ridiculous self-named kid who had helped him when he was at his lowest, was practically wreathed in Cloud flames with his eyes glowing an ominous amethyst ringed with amber. He looked pissed.

Behind him were others, either fighting off the enemy or standing at his back. It was clear that the cloaked figure was Skull's right hand, and quite likely a Mist.

"Ren! Are you alright?" asked Skull with concerned.

"Who are you?" demanded the Sky shrilly.

"Dear Loki you're worse than a Weasley Howler," said Skull grimacing. Then he glared. "And you're the bitch trying to enslave my friend... no wonder those alarms went off."

Skull turned to the Mist at his side.

"I really don't want to get a reputation for hitting girls... Viper, do you mind?"

"Considering this is all her fault, not at all brother," said Viper evenly.

Viper stalked right up to the annoying Sky and punched her so hard that they broke her jaw.

"That felt oddly satisfying," said Viper, looking at their fist with amusement.

Skull made a sharp whistle, which drew the Chinese Storm he had found to the room. He made quick work of the bindings, and they put Renato on Skull's back, so he could concentrate on healing. Renato noticed with some interest there was another Cloud with them, which was rather odd as most Clouds preferred to be alone and tended to get snippy around others.