Page 118 of Storm Caller

The longer this goes on, the more worried I am about Edward’s survival.

“I’m not sure,” she admits. “A few weeks? It’s tricky business.”

“We could get close to Dire,” I say. “He likes Rook.”

Ada presses her lips together. “I understand the general wanted you to use Trinity to gather secrets, but she isn’t important enough.”

“No, but he is. That’s how we knew they had Edward in the first place.”

She dips her chin as she flips a few more knobs.

“So we have to try,” I say. “If we get the card, can Rook and I join the rescue team?”

Ada peers up at me. “Very well, but don’t take any unnecessary risks.”

I blow out a breath.

“We have to find him.”

She searches my face and nods. “Of course. But be careful. I have a feeling that if we lose you, everything we’ve been working toward might all be for nothing.”

41

Rook, Domino, Journey, and I come up with a plan. A party at Amery. Somewhere removed where it won’t be discovered for a while. We decide that the cadet training gym would be ideal. There’s plenty of space, a good sound system, and it’s just far enough from the school’s main areas to offer privacy.

We explain the plan to Henry, and he assures us that our trainers will look the other way. He can’t do anything about Amery’s professors, but hopefully they’re busy with other things or we can finish our task before they arrive to break up the fun.

Our scheme includes planting a few disparate rumors so that no one can figure out where they originated.

It begins with Domino and Journey casually asking a few people whether they’ve heard anything about a wild party coming up. We fan the flames. A whisper here. A little gossip there. The hint that there will be plenty of booze.

Everyone’s invited.

The message begins to spread.

Then, the final nail in the proverbial coffin: I find Silver and Hazel. Act like it’s a big secret but I’m choosing to share it with them.

Predictably, everyone is whispering about it by the end of the day.

I text Trinity.

me: You coming to this party everyone’s talking about?

trinity: If I can!

me: You should bring Dire. Rook really wants to see him again. I think we have a bromance on our hands

trinity: Aw. That’s adorable.

Dire mentioned he’d be posted at Amery for the foreseeable future, and he’s been assigned sleeping quarters on the main level, along with several other Extinguishers whose job is to patrol Amery and the surrounding areas.

trinity: Just heard back. He’ll be there.

If we think he’s carrying the key card, we’ll hit him at the party. If not, we’ll use it as a distraction to sneak into his room.

It isn’t the best plan, and we’re kind of winging it, but if we fail, then we’ll have no choice but to wait for the Fog to come through. By then, Edward could be dead.

I’m trying not to dwell on it. He needs us to figure this out and keep it together. I will get him out of that cell. Alive.