Page 87 of Stormbreaker

Probably.

House Aria. I’d never really considered it until a few minutes ago.

This might be my chance to escape.

Maybe.

Or I might actually be building myself an even smaller cage.

“Okay, you can go then,” Stevie says. “Welcome . . . I guess.”

With that resounding endorsement, I leave the room to find Knox pacing outside. He stops when he sees me, and suddenly, the implications of my decision become a roundhouse kick to the chest. “Well? What happened?” he asks.

Trinity waits beside him with an expectant look on her face.

My mouth opens, but I can’t make the words come out.

He must read it in my features because his eyes widen. “Poet, tell me you’re pledging to House Fiama. Tell me!”

I shake my head, tears pressing the backs of my eyes. “I have to go,” I manage to choke out, then I turn and start walking. When I sense Knox behind me, I stop and spin around. “Don’t follow me. I need to be alone for a minute.”

For some reason, he listens. He’s probably in shock.

I take the opportunity to flee, walking as quickly as I can.

“Poet!” he calls. “Come back!”

But I can’t.

My decision has been made.

Now it’s time to face the consequences.

32

It takes me an hour to stop shaking. I pace up and down various empty halls, searching for a quiet corner to freak out.

Finally, I find myself inside an atrium filled with plants and flowers, buzzing with bees and butterflies. This must be where second- and third-year biology classes take place.

Mercifully, it’s empty and silent, except for the gentle trickle of water from a few small fountains decorating the space. I inhale the humid air and the earthy scent of soil mixed with the fresh smell of flowers. This is exactly what I needed.

I approach a window and peer out, noting we’re high above the ground. New Manhattan stretches before me, twinkling with lights. I notice a few sections where the power has gone out, leaving everyone in the dark until the next storm arrives and General Sol siphons more Spark.

Fiama Society Tower A stands far in the distance, high above the world like a reminder and maybe an accusation. I have to tell my father what happened. Despite everything, he deserves to hear this from me.

I pull out my phone and stare at the screen, thumb hovering over his name. I don’t think I’ve ever been this nervous in my life.

I inhale a deep breath.

Then I chicken out and text my mother first.

I just made her life harder, too.

Maybe it was selfish of me, but she also refused to protect me. She never said a word against my marriage to Knox or supported my desire to join the Storm Guard.

And though my father would have steamrolled over her objections, the effort would have been noticed and appreciated.

me: I need to talk to you.