Page 40 of Stormbreaker

Right. Yes, good. Me neither.

Finally, I turn to Rook.

“Thank you,” I say, hating that it sounds like a mixture of suspicion and surprise instead of the gratitude he deserves.

He must pick up on my tone because his gaze darkens. Then he scoffs—a sound I’m becoming far too familiar with—before brushing past me and heading down the narrow hallway, disappearing without a word.

I should go after him and offer an apology and a proper thank-you, but I’m suddenly too tired to stand. Between running the tower of fire, Knox, and my father, it feels like I’m wearing a lifetime of stress chiseled into every bone.

And now I’m terrified for my best friend’s life.

Instead, I sink down next to Edward, straining to hear what’s happening on the other side of the door. All I catch are the muffled beeps of medical equipment interspersed by prolonged stretches of silence.

Edward hardly blinks, like his entire life depends on keeping the door in sight.

“She’ll be okay,” I whisper, trying to believe it. Even if she comes out of this alive, she needs to be well enough to pass the next two tests.

Edward and I lean together, and a sob escapes my throat as the weight of everything cracks me open. Tears spill down my cheeks as I try to drag air into my lungs. Edward shifts, his arm coming around my shoulders.

“I love her so much,” he whispers, his body trembling.

“I know. I do, too.”

Then we both fall silent.

All I can think about is how much it will break me if I lose one of the most important people in my life.

13

I jolt awake as a door opens nearby. The sensation is disorienting, and it takes me several seconds to remember where I am. My neck cracks as I lift my head off Edward’s shoulder. He’s leaning against me, snoring softly.

Dr. Perez hovers over us as I wipe a spot of drool from the corner of my mouth, inadvertently shaking Edward awake.

“Trinity,” he breathes, his legs shooting straight out.

“It was close, but she’s stable for now,” the doctor says. “The infection had already entered her bloodstream, but I have her on a strong dose of antibiotics. I cleaned the wound and stitched her up. We can deal with the scar when she’s feeling better, but she’ll need to remain in the med wing for a week or so. Just until I can be sure the infection has cleared.”

Edward nods and shoves himself up, using the wall for support. I follow him into the room, where we find Trinity sleeping peacefully in a bed in a far corner. The lights sit low, and she’s loaded up with various tubes and monitors, which pump and hiss softly.

“I gave her something for the pain,” Dr. Perez says. “It’ll probably be a few hours before she wakes up.” She walks to the other side of the bed and lays a hand on Trinity’s wrist, testing her pulse before making a note on her chart.

“What time is it?” I ask.

“About three in the morning,” the doctor answers. “You should probably get some sleep. Classes will start up for the day soon.”

She clucks sympathetically as Edward shakes his head. “I want to be here when she wakes up.”

The doctor tips her head. “I can give you a note to get you out of class for a day, but that’s as long as I can extend it.”

“Thank you,” he says.

“Me too?” I ask, and she nods.

“But why don’t you take shifts? One of you should sleep. You can’t stay up all night and all day.”

“You go,” Edward says to me. “I want to sit with her for a bit. Get something to eat and a few hours of sleep, and then I’ll trade off with you.”

I’m about to protest, but I watch as he takes Trinity’s hand and gently strokes the back before pressing her fingers to his mouth. I think of the doctor’s words just now. It was close. We almost lost Trin, and I sense he needs a moment alone with her.