Page 126 of Stormbreaker

“Who’s that?” I ask. “You’re dating someone from E-squad?”

Trinity tucks a strand of hair behind her ear. “We’ve been getting to know each other,” she says. “He’s funny, and Skies—” She cuts off, leans in closer. “Well, he’s nothing like Edward was in bed. He’s so . . . hungry.”

Despite myself, I snort and cover my mouth, and we both giggle.

“So that’s it? You’re done with Edward?”

Trinity shrugs. “I loved Edward, but we can’t be together anymore. He has his mom to look after, and if he stayed with me, it would cause too many problems.”

I suppose she does have a point.

“I don’t think he’d care. He’s been pretty miserable without you.”

She waves a hand. “He’ll get over me soon enough.”

“I guess,” I say, wondering if I know who this person is anymore. “So, you’re still sure about this E-squad thing? I’m worried about you. They’re not—”

Jared returns with Trinity’s drink, and I stop talking. He passes it to her and slides his hand to her lower back. “Sorry to interrupt, but Ruby wants to see all of us.”

“About what?” Trinity asks, taking a sip from her glass.

“Not sure, but she said we should meet at the far end of the boat.”

“Sure,” she says, turning to me. “Sorry. I gotta go. Let’s dance later?”

“Of course,” I say, and I watch as Jared hustles her through the crowd, disappearing from my sight. I don’t like this. I thought I could talk her out of E-squad, but she’s only becoming more and more ingrained.

I promise myself to talk to her more seriously tomorrow, then go searching for Domino, who’s now dancing with the guy she told me about earlier: Calloway, another Society-born Storm Guard cadet who also pledged to Aria tonight. They’re moving together, his big hands on her hips and her arms looped around his neck. He’s a few inches taller than Domino, with broad shoulders, russet skin, and natural hair, shaved on the sides and curly on top.

She spots me and grins. I return it, then find a seat, content to watch everyone having fun. A few people are getting drunker. Someone climbs onto the roof of the boat, a guy from House Tera whose name I don’t know. He rips off his shirt, swinging it overhead and shouting as everyone raises their glasses and cheers.

It’s fun, and it’s light; no one is paying me any attention, and maybe this could be my future. People are far more concerned with their own shit anyway.

As Domino said, everyone will eventually get used to this new reality.

Until then, I’ll do my best to blend in.

I sit back, sip my drink, and watch the sky, my heart lighter than it’s been in a while.

That’s when someone screams.

46

The music cuts off as everyone stops and turns toward the sound. I hadn’t even realized the boat had stopped moving. We’re now floating in the middle of the canal, bobbing several feet from the shore. The dim sounds of the city continue in the distance, oblivious to what’s going on.

What is going on?

I stand up on the bench, trying to see over everyone’s heads. I catch the flash of lights from the water coming off a small red boat that appears to be the reason we’ve stopped.

My heart drops to my feet.

Whispers float through the crush of people.

Extinguishers.

The crowd slowly parts, revealing two men and two women dressed in bloodred uniforms. Their boots echo against the wooden deck as they approach the dance floor, and I sway, suddenly lightheaded.

I have just enough presence of mind to search my surroundings for an escape route.