Page 37 of Stormbreaker

12

After leaving the office, I keep my head down and shuffle through the halls. News travels fast in our circles, and I’m sure everyone already knows the scion of House Fiama was here. My only hope is that being sequestered away in Dean Withers’s office means they didn’t hear every word of my scolding.

I continue in the same vein through all my classes for the rest of the morning, saying very little and dreaming of a moment to myself when I don’t have to answer to anyone or be perceived at all. When I return to my dorm room, Trinity still hasn’t appeared, and now I’m officially worried.

Winter and Lacey both eye me from where they lounge on their beds before lunch. I recall what my father said about Trey Arden allying with Winter’s father instead, and I can’t help but feel a twinge of excitement at the prospect. But then I wonder if my father would need me at all if Knox married someone else.

“What are you staring at, Freak?” Winter asks, breaking through my inner monologue. She and Knox really would deserve each other.

“Have you seen Trinity?” I ask, pointing to her empty corner. Winter pulls a face of disgust.

“No,” she answers before returning to scrolling on her phone. I need to find Edward. I turn on my heel and head for his wing, ascending the staircase to find a hall similar to ours, bearing the distinct and ripe odor of teenage boys.

My nose wrinkles as I search for Edward’s room.

Unfortunately, that room also belongs to Knox.

After knocking, I enter to find him, Sal, and Jackson tossing a football among them. They’ve already overturned a chair and a lamp, the bulb lying smashed on the floor waiting for someone else to clean it up. I somehow doubt a single one of them has ever made their own bed in their entire life.

“Poet, where were you after class?” Knox asks. He sounds annoyed more than anything, but it doesn’t stop him from catching the ball and passing it off to Sal. “I told you to wait.”

“My father was here,” I answer, and his eyes widen. “He wanted to speak with me.”

“Oh, about the . . . thing?” Sal asks, wincing.

“Shut up,” Jackson says. “Leave her alone.”

“Was just asking.” Sal pouts, and Jackson rolls his eyes.

“I’m looking for Edward,” I say. “Have you seen him?”

Their gazes ping to his empty corner as if they’ve completely forgotten he lives with them.

“No?” Sal says, scratching his head.

“No?” I ask.

“I mean, I’ve seen him . . . I just can’t remember when.”

I sigh as my phone buzzes in my back pocket, and I reach for it. “Useless.”

A breath of relief expels from my chest when I see that it’s Edward, but that relief is short-lived.

edward: Trin

edward: Eighth-floor balcony

edward: Now

The hairs on the back of my neck stand up as I scan his messages.

I read them once and then again.

That’s when I start running.

. . .

I bolt through the hallways, hopping on an elevator. After asking for directions, I find the balcony Edward mentioned. My blood runs cold at the sight of Trinity on the floor, leaning against the railing, her body limp.