Page 98 of Stormbreaker

“Can you . . . tell my mom I’d like to hear from her? I know she’s upset, but . . .”

I touch the necklace against my collarbone, flipping the jeweled mask between my fingers, thinking of the woman who tried to raise me.

After another awkward pause, Mrs. Arden answers. “Of course. I’ll let her know.”

“Thanks.” Then I hang up and tuck the phone into my pocket, my heart beating so fast that it’s making me lightheaded. I want to go lie down, but spending time in my dorm room doesn’t sound any more calming. I think of the atrium I found last night, but classes are starting soon.

I lean against the wall with my forehead pressed against it, waiting for my pulse to steady.

The bell rings, and I straighten up.

I should look for Edward and see if he’s okay. I should find Trinity.

I should get someone to look at my knee, which is throbbing painfully and seems to be getting worse.

But I don’t do any of that.

When I’m ready, I inhale a deep breath and limp to class, deciding to deal with all of it later.

36

Over the next two weeks, I keep my head down and my focus on my schoolwork.

Dr. Perez confirmed a tear in the ligament of my knee and prescribed a dose of painkillers. She showed me how to wrap it up and keep it protected at night, then ordered me to take it easy. Henry even altered my training schedule to focus more on upper-body work while my leg heals.

Trinity is also busy training with E-squad. It sounds a lot like cadet training if I’m being honest, but with the added bonus of learning how to torment other people.

Anytime I’m with Trin, her new friends tend to show up, almost as if they’re watching her, and I make myself scarce. They creep me out. And frighten me.

Sometimes I wonder if I’ll be scared of Trinity one day, too.

Edward isn’t faring well, either. He’s miserable without Trinity. I’m still upset by the way he spoke to me, but I try to remember we’re not always the best version of ourselves when we’re hurting.

I’ve also managed to avoid Knox, though he’s been desperately trying to corner me into talking. I’ve become a ghost, appearing in class just as the starting bell rings and then sneaking out the second it’s over.

My mom isn’t answering any of my texts, and I still haven’t heard from my father. The silence is the worst part.

Have they already forgotten me completely? Was I so unimportant?

Or is this some sick part of my punishment? Is my father plotting something that I can’t even fathom?

Trinity said her parents aren’t talking to her, either. Intrinsically, I understood what House lines meant and that they were the standard by which we all existed, but I refuse to believe they’re more important than a family’s love. Maybe I’m just being naive.

Through it all, I can’t stop an incessant itching from working its way under my skin. During an Empire Storm last night, the need to absorb the cloud bursts became a living thing beating against my ribs. I clutched the blanket and stared at the ceiling while my roommates slept silently.

I don’t know how much longer I can hold out.

The bright spot in my week was an email informing us about a special cadet training session happening this afternoon. Domino, Journey, and I arrive at the training facility after lunch, their excitement infectious, and for the first time in weeks, I allow myself to cast off my worries and focus on what’s in store for us.

However, when I spot the same two Extinguishers from our first day of training standing in the corner, a prickle of fear works its way up the back of my neck. They’re here to watch us again.

“Welcome to a special exercise we have planned for you,” Henry says. “Today, you’ll enter the contained training simulation for the first time to test your endurance and agility, and to get a feel for what to expect when you’re manning the Storm Towers.”

He steps aside for Dr. Eze, who’s clutching her tablet with a huge smile.

“And we have wonderful news,” she says. “Something extra special. For years now, Tempestade scientists have been hard at work trying to contain the specific electric charge derived from Empire Storms in order to facilitate enhanced training for current and future Breakers like yourselves.”

She says these words with pride, but something prickles up the back of my neck.