Page 165 of Stormbreaker

“I don’t know. I have to tell you something after.” He gives me a quizzical look, but I shake my head imperceptibly. “Later.”

Not only is there the question of whether someone saw me or not, but there’s the added puzzle of us both fooling the Extinguishers’ new contraption.

Something isn’t adding up.

We both face the finish line and wait for everyone else to arrive. When Domino and Journey both cross, we give each other hugs and high fives, and I even get some congratulations from my former Fiama and new House Aria colleagues.

Storm Guard over Society. That’s what Henry promised.

We are becoming a team, slowly but surely, and I try to muster excitement, but my stomach is churning. I notice the same Breaker I spotted during the course, her bright red hair glowing in the sunlight. I try to catch her eye, but she doesn’t look my way.

“Cadets!” Henry shouts after everyone finishes. “Well done! Every single one of you made it. It’s been years since the Storm Guard had a full class complete the course.”

Everyone else cheers at that, and he grins, giving us a moment to savor this victory.

When we’ve all quieted, he holds up his tablet. “And for our winners.”

Everyone shares nervous glances around the circle. I have no idea how my time stacked up. I wasn’t the fastest, but it’s clear from everyone’s haggard state that I wasn’t the only one who struggled today. One girl’s hair is still smoking, a few people are soaking wet, and others nurse bruised knees and elbows.

He goes on to name the top three rankings from Fiama, Asale, and Tera. There’s a lot of cheering and back slapping. Smiles and congratulations.

“And finally, Aria,” he says. “In third place with thirty-one minutes and forty-three seconds . . . we have Poet Graves!”

I’m so shocked that I don’t register my name at first, but Domino and Journey are both hugging me. Everyone else joins in as Henry gestures me up to the front. I approach, and he grins as he holds out his hand.

“I knew you had the Graves’ Storm Guard gene in you,” he says with a wink. Then he peers at me. “Are you okay?”

“Sure,” I say, still conscious of the Extinguishers intruding on our celebration.

“Okay, well done,” Henry says, gesturing for me to stand to the side as he consults his tablet again.

“In second place with a time of twenty-nine minutes and twelve seconds, we have . . . Domino Parsons!”

Domino shrieks, and I shriek, too, as she runs over and tosses her arms around my neck.

“Ahhh!” I shout, lifting her and spinning her in a circle while she screams. “You’re amazing.”

When I set her down, Henry shakes her hand and offers some praise before consulting his tablet again.

“And in first place, with an Amery record–breaking time of twenty-five minutes and fourteen seconds, we have Rook Athira!”

A chorus of cheers goes up, and Rook blinks, slowly unfolding his arms before he shakes his head and saunters over. His posture is casual and collected, but I can read his shock in the set of his shoulders. I think I’m learning to understand his body’s cues.

He cocks a half smile as Henry vigorously shakes his hand.

“Well done,” he says. “I’ve never seen someone run like that.” He slaps Rook on the shoulder and then the back, and Henry looks like he’s about to burst with pride. It’s not lost on me that three of Society’s outcasts were the fastest. I have no idea how I managed to do that.

But for now, everyone is happy for us.

“Not only have you all won yourself a place in second-year training,” Henry says, “but you’ll be honored at the graduation ball by The Shield themselves with a special token of your achievement.”

While everyone celebrates, I summon a smile for the others’ sakes and try to look happy about it.

After all, I just scored a spot in second-year training.

This is what I’ve always wanted.

As another round of congratulations ensues, I shift on my feet, uncomfortably aware that someone saw me. The longer I sit with the thought, the more I’m sure of it.