Page 93 of Stormbreaker

She nods and can’t seem to contain her smile. “My parents are thrilled I’m joining Society.”

A snort from the other side of the room blasts through her excitement, causing Domino’s smile to falter.

“Oh, shut up,” I say, and Silla rolls her eyes.

“I’m so happy to hear that,” I say, trying to muster some enthusiasm.

There’s a certain kind of irony in the fact that I’ve just fucked up my entire life, but Domino gets a real shot at something better. It’s a grim slap of reality and a reminder of the privileges I’ve been afforded . . . and possibly just threw away.

“I can’t believe we’re stuck with the losers and outcasts,” Cece says loudly, speaking to Silla.

“We’re accepting new members,” I say without missing a beat. “We meet on alternate Wednesdays. You’ll fit right in.”

My phone dings, and I see it’s a text from Edward, asking me to meet with him.

Cece scoffs, and I stuff my phone into my pocket. “I gotta go.”

I find Edward near the cafeteria. He looks terrible. His skin is pale and clammy, and his hair hangs limp in his eyes.

“Edward?” I ask, alarmed by his state. “What’s wrong?”

“Have you seen Trinity this morning?” he asks.

“Yes, about an hour ago.”

“She broke up with me last night,” he says.

Wait, what? Well, that explains his appearance.

“Why?” I ask. “What happened?”

“She found me after her test,” he says. “Said she was pledging to Aria and joining the E-squad. She said there was no future for us.”

I huff out a breath and lean against the wall.

“I’m so sorry,” I say. This is so unlike Trinity. What is she doing?

“You have to talk to her. Maybe she can still pledge to Fiama. This can’t be the end for us.”

“Edward, I don’t think she can do that. She’s made her choice. She seems pretty happy with it, too.”

“Why would she do this?” he asks, tears brimming in his gaze. “We love each other.”

I shake my head, wishing I had an answer. They don’t really have a future together. Breaching House lines will make things even more difficult, but I thought Trinity loved Edward. Would she really give him up so easily?

Watching him makes my stomach hurt, like it’s been filled with cement.

“Let’s go,” I say, throwing an arm around his shoulders. We’re accumulating an audience, and I drag him away, searching for a spot where he can have his breakdown in private.

I force him a few stumbling steps along a corridor and then duck us into an empty room. He slides to the floor and tucks up his knees, laying his head across his arms. I settle in front of him, bending a leg under me and giving him a moment.

I want to cry, too, but one of us needs to keep it together. It feels like my best friend changed overnight, and I wonder if this is my fault. Maybe I wasn’t paying close enough attention.

“Have you talked to her parents?” I ask. I wonder if they’ve been in contact with her. Did they notice something that I missed?

“They’re not answering my calls,” he says, wiping his nose with the palm of his hand. I press my mouth together. I’ve known the Robinses for years; I can’t believe they’d just abandon Trinity.

“I’ll try calling them,” I say. “Maybe they’ll talk to me.”