Page 66 of Stormbreaker

I think again of that shape I saw in the shadows, trying to remember its exact size and weight. Was it large enough to be Rook? It was so quick, and the dim light and my momentary disorientation might have been deceiving me.

“The electrical currents you experience today won’t be exactly the same as those you might experience during an Empire Storm,” the doctor continues. “Since we cannot simulate the galvanic energy inside cloud bursts as they happen, we’ve developed the best approximation of them. Though it’s not perfect, it will help you build up your resistance over time, and our extensive studies have shown that it’s nearly as good as the real thing.”

A hand goes up. A student from House Tera. “What about . . . Will it make us . . .” She trails off.

“Go mad?” someone else asks. “Being exposed to Spark?”

“No,” Dr. Eze assures. “As I said, this isn’t real Spark, and even if it were, the tolerance required for Guard duty is orders of magnitude removed from what Keepers can survive. It would kill you long before you could channel enough Spark for it to affect your mind.”

That answer seems to ease several people’s worries.

“Anything else?” Henry asks.

“Why are they here?” someone asks. It’s Rook, and he’s watching the two Extinguishers who’ve remained silent during this entire exchange.

For the first time, Henry seems nervous. “Ah . . . there have been increasing reports of infected Keepers being captured in the city over the last few months. As a result, we’ll all be seeing more of the Extinguishers in our daily lives so they can identify risks as soon as possible.”

He doesn’t have to finish the thought. Most people don’t know if they’re infected unless they’ve been accidentally hit by Spark. They’re often the most dangerous type of Keeper, walking through life, unaware of how close they are to snapping. The Extinguishers are here to watch over us and arrest us if one of us is revealed.

I recall General Sol’s warning less than an hour ago, and suddenly, I don’t feel very well. Sweat breaks out on my forehead, and my stomach knots up. I knew joining the Storm Guard might mean exposure, but I’ve spent years reading everything I could get my hands on about the training process.

I already know most of what Dr. Eze just told us. That until we’re standing on those Storm Towers, we’ll never be exposed to real Spark. Years ago, I even “borrowed” one of Raine’s Spark wands and tested it out. Thankfully, I reacted exactly the same way any normal Breaker would.

It’s a risk that I’m willing to take.

After all, I’ve always felt like I’m living on borrowed time.

However, I didn’t factor the Extinguishers into any of my calculations.

Why are more people being reported lately? I have no sense of the total number of Keepers arrested each year because those details are kept a secret. How many people are living in fear every day of their lives? Is it more than I think?

Then Henry cracks the barest smile. I try to find reassurance in it as I’m quietly freaking out.

“Don’t worry, you’ll get the hang of it. It’s not all as scary as it sounds, but you must bring your best every moment of every day.”

He’s met with another wall of silence before gesturing to a woman who’s just appeared through a door. “Then let’s get started.”

A few are selected to begin, while the rest of us wait, and panic swirls in my chest.

Rook is one of the first to be chosen, and as usual, he looks relaxed and confident.

I watch as he lies down on a bed that’s covered in a clean white sheet. Dr. Eze then attaches a series of electrodes to his forehead, arms, and hands.

The Extinguishers march up and down the aisle, peering into the various glassed-in rooms. Their heavy boots seem to echo through the atmosphere, and my limbs start trembling as my heart beats in my throat. I try not to look too closely at them, hoping I don’t draw their attention. How will this affect me, and how will they know what I am? Do I walk out? Refuse their test? Surely if I do so now, they’ll know I’m hiding something.

I chew on the corner of my lip, my heart pounding in my chest.

The dark-haired one looks over, and it takes every ounce of restraint I possess to keep my posture loose, like I have nothing to worry about. He pauses, his gaze sweeping over me as I turn to meet his eyes. I blink and look away, staring at my feet, hoping this is how anyone would act. Let him think I’m just intimidated, not scared for my fucking life.

A moment later, he keeps walking, making his way down the line before stopping at Rook’s bed to watch. I hear him speaking to Dr. Eze. Something about Rook being a Solitude. Rook’s eyes flash; he’s clearly not a fan of being talked about like he isn’t there, but he keeps his mouth shut.

Someone knocks into my shoulder, momentarily distracting me from the spiral of my thoughts. Domino says, “I gotta confess, I wasn’t expecting to find you here.”

I don’t really look at her as I answer, “Why not?”

She holds up her hands and shrugs. “Aren’t you engaged to that blond guy? Knox?”

I inhale a deep breath at the reminder, then let it out. “What of it?”