Page 14 of Stormbreaker

Another spike of itchy energy fizzles up my arms, and I scratch my elbows, trying to make it look natural.

“I’m sure,” I say. “Let’s go find Edward.”

She hesitates for another moment and then stands up and crosses the room. Throwing her arms around me, she hugs me tight. It takes me a moment to hug her back.

“What’s this about?” I ask. She pulls away and smiles.

“I’m so glad we’re doing this together. I love you, Poe.”

Tears burn the backs of my eyes. I’ve waited for this for so long. The distance from my father. Being here with my friends while pursuing my dream of joining the Storm Guard.

“I don’t know what I would do without you,” I whisper, taking her hand and squeezing.

She grins and does a little hop. “We’re going to have the best time.”

“We really are,” I promise. “Let’s go.”

As we leave the room, I glance out the window once again. Tingles climb over my scalp, and my chest constricts. I don’t know how long I can hide this, but I have no choice.

My life depends on it.

5

We wind through the creamy marble halls of Amery Academy, passing carved statues, polished mirrors, and gilded paintings, many of them salvaged from old museums. A line of students files down a wide, curving staircase, including first-years like us, second-years marked by their green tunics and ribbon accents, and third-years marked by red.

Trinity and I exchange wary looks as a group of massive third-years barrels past us, their conversation loud and intrusive.

A group of Storm Guard cadets.

They wear sleeveless purple shirts that stretch over muscles to reveal defined arms and capable hands, bodies honed for combat and withstanding Spark.

Spark travels most efficiently through blood and muscle versus bone or fat. Thus, Storm Guards strive to be as lean and built as possible, maybe even taking it a bit too far.

“My word,” Trinity whispers, clutching my arm.

The men pass in a cloud of cologne and unwavering male confidence.

“Trinity,” I say, feigning shock. “You have a boyfriend.”

Obviously, I know she loves Edward with all her heart.

She grins and flutters her lashes. “That doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate the view.”

At that, we both cock our heads, staring at the extremely tight ass of one of the third-years as he lopes down the stairs.

“View, indeed,” I say, and we burst into giggles.

“What’s so funny?” Edward asks a moment later.

“Nothing,” Trinity says, throwing her arms around his neck. “Just that I love you.”

A line forms between his brows, but his hands come to her waist, and he kisses her before they break apart. “Hungry?” he asks us.

“Not really,” I say as my skin explodes with another rash of itching. I roll my shoulders as Trinity gives me a worried look. “But I think we’re expected to show up.”

We join the flow of students and approach a wide arch leading to a massive cafeteria where the delicious smell of home-cooked food fills the air. An aisle runs down the center, and the room is crammed with dozens of long white tables with little stools attached at equal intervals. Unsurprisingly, we’ve carefully and intentionally divided along perceived Society lines with Fiama, Aria, Asale, and Tera each occupying a corner.

The walls are lined with crisp white tiles, echoing the chatter against the high ceilings.