Page 84 of Stormbreaker

The words slip out, and I regret them the instant they’re out of my mouth.

Knox’s eyes flash, and he snarls, “For fuck’s sake, what happened—”

The door to the room opens, rescuing me from his questioning. Several people file out, their masks clutched in their hands.

“They’ll see you now,” Anan says. I can’t tell from his tone how much trouble I’m in. Regardless, I leap up, grateful for the chance to dodge Knox and Trinity.

I don’t look back, sliding past Anan and entering the room.

Devon and Stevie stand in the center of a salon decorated entirely in emerald and gold.

“Close the door,” Devon says, and I turn around to do as he says, then stare at the floor before I will myself to face them again.

“Approach,” Devon says, and I clutch my hands as I take a few careful steps across the plush rug with my heart pounding in my temples.

“You really made this hard for us tonight,” Devon says.

I don’t reply. I don’t think he’s expecting me to.

“But we’ve discussed it with Chancellor Marks and General Sol.”

He glances at Stevie, and she continues. “Your test concludes with this—what do you choose, Poet Graves: House Fiama, the House of your heritage, the House run by your father, or House Aria, the House you were never intended for?”

I blink, caught completely off guard.

Despite their assurances that it’s my choice, I wasn’t really expecting anyone to ask me what I wanted.

“You’re letting me choose? I’m not being kicked out?”

Devon sighs and shakes his head. “Apparently. Those are our orders. Your brother was a good guy, and he spoke so highly of you. I’m not sure why you’re doing this, but I also know you aren’t reckless, and you might have your . . . reasons.”

His gaze flicks to the doorway, where I presume Knox is still waiting, and I wonder if he understands.

“Plus, the general doesn’t want to prevent you from joining the Storm Guard,” he says. “Technically, you did what we asked—we never said you couldn’t save them both.”

“Truthfully, we never thought anyone would do that,” Stevie says, scanning me from head to toe with what might be a touch of admiration.

I inhale a deep breath.

They’re letting me choose.

I can’t decide if this is a gift or a minefield because, whatever my choice, I can’t blame anyone but myself.

A lot of things cycle through my thoughts.

My father and his warnings, first and foremost. Of how he threatened me in Dean Withers’s office.

He could lose everything if I do this.

If I don’t pledge to Fiama, Knox will marry Winter Jenkins instead.

I understand he meant it as a threat, but presented with this choice, it becomes a lifeline. A chance to escape.

Winter wants him.

For whatever reason.

And my father’s ambitions have never been my responsibility.