Page 192 of Stormbreaker

“Climb!” Rook says. I’m too dazed to resist. I follow him up and up, spiraling higher and higher until we reach the top floor. The sounds of the chase are growing closer as we emerge onto the roof of the building, where the wind gusts and red clouds churn across the sky.

Rook is moving behind me, using something to barricade the door. I see none of it. Feel nothing as I drift toward the edge to take in the city burning below. Flames flicker in the dark, where hundreds of Patrols direct the people of New Manhattan toward safety while others attempt to control the blazes.

I look out across the scarlet sky and to the Wastes—a black blot in the distance.

“Poet!” Rook shouts. “We have to jump!”

He points to the far side of the roof where the top of Amery sways a few feet away. No, not a few. Several. Close enough to potentially clear the jump, but it isn’t guaranteed. I remember this. My initiation. I remember thinking it didn’t seem that far. Now I think I must have been delirious.

A flash of red light illuminates the net I landed on far below.

“They’re coming for us!” Rook shouts, taking me by the shoulders, trying to wake me up. “They know what you are, Poet. Who I am! If they catch us, we’re dead. Do you understand me?” He shakes me gently, rustling me like a dried-out husk. “Poet, snap out of it. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you everything, but I need you to snap out of it.”

He cups my face in his hands, and then he kisses me.

That does the trick.

I shove him back and slap him across the face.

“You lied to me!” I scream.

“I did,” he says. “But I had to.”

I shake my head, taking a step away.

The wind tosses my hair and my dress, the fabric billowing around me in a cloud of creamy lilac.

“Please believe I never meant you any harm,” he says. “I swear to you, I never intended to hurt you, but we have to get out of here.”

The door to the roof is shuddering under the weight of the Guards.

It won’t hold much longer.

Rook reaches out his hand. “Please. Jump with me,” he says.

I don’t think I have a choice. They know what I am, and I’m already dead. I nod and reach for him, my limbs scooped dry.

“I’ll go first and catch you,” he says. “Okay?” He thrusts the stunner into my hands.

“Shoot if they break through. Don’t hesitate.”

Then he’s off. He races for the edge and leaps, suspended in the air, his arms and legs windmilling.

I hold my breath.

3 . . . 2 . . . 1 . . .

Until he lands safely in a crouch.

“Poet!” he screams. “Your turn!”

The door to the roof bursts open, half a dozen Guards spilling out.

I don’t think. I run. I toss the stunner to the side, and then I barrel at full tilt, my boots slapping concrete and my skirt twisting around my ankles.

I focus on Rook, who stands with his hands out, ready to catch me.

I’m here to protect you, no matter what.