Page 115 of Storm Caller

He kisses me on the temple. “I wish I could tell you everything will be okay.”

I offer him a grim smile before I head to the mat where Domino and Journey are standing. They watch me as I approach, their expressions pinched with worry. After being betrayed by my best friend, I’m so desperate to believe in them right now.

“Hi,” I say, deciding we may as well get this over with. If they’re planning to reject me, then let’s rip off this bandage, skin and all.

Domino and Journey share a look, and my fists clench, bracing for impact.

Will they turn away? Will they pretend I don’t exist? Will they call me out right here? Scream for the Extinguishers roaming the halls? All it would take is a single accusation, and I’d be back in a cell before I could blink. Nothing would save me this time.

“Hi,” Domino says.

She steps closer, wringing her hands and then wiping them on her thighs.

Another step.

Then . . . she rushes toward me, throws her arms around my neck, and hugs me tight.

It takes me a few seconds to process it.

Tears prick my eyes because she doesn’t need to say anything. I understand what she’s trying to tell me. I can’t believe I doubted her for even a moment. Journey comes next, wrapping her arms around us and squeezing us both into a tight hug.

“We love you,” Domino whispers, and it’s all I can do not to completely fall apart.

When we all pull away, several people give us curious looks, and Rook watches us with a pleased smile. Domino and Journey head toward him next and don’t give him a chance to speak before he’s subjected to the double-hug treatment.

The surprise on Rook’s face is priceless, and I burst out laughing before Domino and Journey do, too. More quizzical looks circle the room, but I don’t care. I don’t know if I’ve ever been so relieved.

“Okay,” Brooklyn says, approaching from behind. “No idea what’s gotten into all of you weirdos, but can we get to work?” She offers me a wink, and I know that she understands what just happened, too.

Brooklyn assigns us all to a mat, and Domino grabs my elbow. “Can we talk more about it later?”

“I’m sure you have questions,” I say.

She shakes her head. “Only ones that ensure your well-being.”

“Yours, too,” I say. “I promise you’re safe with us.”

She squeezes my arm. “I never doubted that for a second.”

A hand lands on my shoulder, and I turn to find Journey giving me a serious look. “You know we’d stand by you no matter what, okay?”

Then they both walk away, and I wipe the corner of my eye with the back of my hand, realizing that I finally chose the right friends for the first time in my life.

39

Twenty-four hours later, I head underground with Rook, Domino, and Journey to rendezvous with Ada and the Fog. During our training session, we let Brooklyn know we had information to share, and she arranged for us all to meet.

Now we’re gathered in the same safe house where they first brought us. Henry has made a full recovery and welcomes us with a smile.

“I hear I have you to thank for saving my life,” he says after I enter.

“I don’t know about that,” I say. “I just saw you go down and . . . I reacted. I knew Raine would never have forgiven me if I let something happen to you.”

Henry’s expression softens. “It’s funny, because from the moment you walked into Amery, I’ve had the exact same thought.”

I glance around the room, aware of our audience, but I have questions that can’t wait another moment. “How long did you know?” I ask. “About Raine?”

“From the very beginning,” he says. “I was already working with the Fog when we met. He never became an official member, but he helped us where he could. He was worried that his proximity to your father could risk our secrets, so he kept his distance.”