Page 85 of Stormbreaker

Maybe if he’d asked me even once. Maybe if he’d cared at all about what I wanted.

He’s always claimed he’s the only man for the job as Fiama’s scion. The only one who has the stomach to do what it takes to keep us protected. But I’ve seen what he’s truly capable of now, and maybe Fiama would actually be better off in someone else’s hands.

I think of Trinity, my best friend who’s defended me and protected me for so long. She’s been with me through everything. I think of the look on her face just now when she thought she’d figured out a possible future where she could be happy despite her mistakes.

She really thought we’d switch Houses together.

And maybe it’s my turn to protect her for a change.

I think of Knox sitting outside, believing he has a right to know everything about me, and how I had to negotiate with him to remain in cadet training, like a prisoner.

He wants to control me and every aspect of my life.

My entire existence will become a series of compromises for my freedom. I’ve always understood that I’d move from the crush of my father’s hand to becoming another man’s property. A few weeks ago, I thought there was no avoiding it.

But a door to freedom has just cracked open, allowing in a sliver of light.

And I think about how cadet training makes me feel alive. Like I’m a part of something, and how, for once, I made a choice solely for me.

I can’t let them take all of that away.

If I become Mrs. Knox Arden in three years, that’s all I’ll ever be.

My eyes meet Devon’s, and they widen ever so slightly.

He doesn’t understand it completely, but he understands something.

I look at Stevie, and she watches me with her head tipped, her expression brimming with curiosity, like I’m an animal tethered to a pole and she can’t tell what I’ll do next.

She also doesn’t get it, but maybe someday she will.

“House Aria,” I say, lifting my chin.

Those two damning words ring between us, cementing my destiny . . . and probably my demise.

31

The silence in the room aches.

Devon and Stevie exchange a look, and then Devon speaks. “Poet, are you sure?”

No. Yes. I don’t know.

“I’m . . . sure,” I say, hoping I sound more confident than I feel. Probably not.

Devon shakes his head and rubs a hand along the back of his neck.

“You said I had a choice, and this is what I choose.”

I’m making a mistake. I’ll tear my family apart. This will put me so much closer to the Extinguishers and their scrutiny. But . . . Trinity needs me, and it might be what I need to get me away from Knox once and for all.

“Is this actually about Knox?” Devon asks, almost like he’s reading my mind. “Because you can’t throw everything away just to piss off your dad. I get that it feels good right now, but you need to think of your future.”

Is that what I’m doing?

But I don’t want to piss my dad off. That would be a trivial thing to do.

What I want is a voice in my own life.