Page 106 of Storm Caller

“Skies,” I say. “We have to help him.”

36

“So, who’s absolutely terrified?” Domino asks as she walks between me, Rook, and Journey as we make our way to the cadet wing for a special training session.

“No way! I can’t wait!” Journey says, doing a little hop.

It’s been just a few days since our night at the Grotto, and Edward still hasn’t appeared, not that I expected him to. I can barely sleep from worry, but we have no one to ask or turn to without drawing the wrong attention.

“Can’t wait to die?” Domino asks wryly.

“I’m sure it’s perfectly safe,” Journey says. “They wouldn’t let us do this otherwise, right?”

Domino snorts. “I wish I had your faith in how much they value our lives.”

Tonight’s training includes heading out to a Storm Tower and watching the Breakers at work. Clouds have been gathering all day, and that familiar prickle has been working its way up my back. Thankfully, Rook and I snuck out to touch Spark only a few days ago, so it isn’t affecting me too much. We also tried implementing some of the techniques Sol showed us to gather and harness Spark. Our progress has been slow, but I’m determined to keep trying, even though we haven’t heard much from her, either.

We enter the facility to find Henry, Brooklyn, Chandler, and a group of Storm Guards wearing their uniforms and shiny purple harnesses. Among them is Lieutenant Danica Stephens, the same woman who saved my ass during my trial. I catch her eye, and she presses her lips into a quick smile before dipping her chin.

“Welcome,” Henry says, his hands clasped behind his back. “I know you’ve all been eagerly awaiting this.”

Several murmurs ripple through the room, mixing fear and excitement.

“This will be your first chance to get a true glimpse of what Guard life is like,” he says. “You’ll be relatively safe inside your respective Storm Tower control rooms while the Breakers conduct their work, but I won’t lie—this will put you as close to danger as you’ll ever be during your schooling.”

Another flurry of whispers circles through the crowd.

“But if being a Breaker is truly your goal, you need to understand what you’re in for.”

Without further preamble, Henry splits us into groups. I’m matched with Rook, Domino, and Journey, and assigned under Henry and Danica. We’re all issued a pair of goggles with purple lenses to shield our eyes from bright flashes of light, and then we’re on the move, heading toward the edge of the city.

Henry fills us in on what to expect as we travel, while Journey peppers him with a million questions. We reach the outskirts and make our way to our assigned Tower. I scan the horizon, noting the neighboring structures standing in the distance.

Rook and I stop at the base and peer up. Made of iron and steel, the Tower stretches high into the sky. Several Guards are already stationed at ground level, keeping an eye on the Tiera Frais, while about half a dozen Breakers are staggered on the various platforms, each gripping the rubber handle of a glowing Spark wand.

A staircase on the side winds around the base, and we begin making our way up to the lowest platform. It’s the largest, with a small, enclosed glass room and a bank of monitors and buttons running around the edges.

Several screens reveal various parts of the city, including greenhouses on the south end of the island and factories in the north, where more Towers are placed atop the various buildings to help keep everyone inside safe.

Another screen shows a close-up of General Sol standing atop the Citadel, her dark hair blowing in the wind. She appears fearless and confident as she takes her position at the center of the roof with a ring of her Circle Guards facing her.

The clouds are gathering, rolling together, flashing with lilac and amethyst. Rook’s pinkie hooks into mine as shivers race over my skin. We’ll be so close to the storm here. Probably feel it when it hits the Tower.

“You okay?” he asks in a soft voice, and I nod.

“I think so.”

“Don’t go out there,” he says, and I understand his worry. If either of us is hit, we’ll be exposed. Without our own Spark wands to gather the current, we’ll become the conduit. “Concentrate on driving it away from you. Remember what we’ve practiced.”

“Okay,” I say softly, and then we turn to face the window.

Domino and Journey are already standing with their faces nearly pressed against the glass, peering at the swelling clouds blanketing the city. I imagine people far in the distance running for cover, hiding themselves.

In the distance, I can see Fiama Society Tower A, and I wonder what my parents are doing. Are they at home or having dinner with friends? The Storm Tower atop their building glows, ready to protect them. I wonder what it might be like to stand there someday and keep them safe, knowing they want nothing to do with me.

But this is what I signed up for. I wanted to help. I wanted to be useful. I wanted to protect everyone who can’t protect themselves, regardless of how I feel about them.

More clouds tumble and gather, and Domino whistles as we all stare up at the sky. “This is gonna be a big one,” she says. “I guess we were due.”