Page 13 of Storm Caller

After offering me a pitying look, she delivers us back to our tent, where a tray of food sits on a small table near the wall. Sandwiches, glass bottles of water, and cookies.

Rook hands me a plate, and we both settle onto our beds, eating in silence. The food is good and hearty, and I concentrate on chewing and swallowing, attempting to keep thoughts of home and everything we left behind at bay.

When I’ve eaten every last bite, I return the tray to the table, kick off my boots, and then, without another word, crawl into bed fully clothed and pull up the blanket. I tuck Teddy to my chest and close my eyes.

But as the camp settles into quiet, my thoughts grow impossibly loud.

I hope the people I left behind are okay. Domino and Journey. My parents. I can’t stop thinking about Edward’s lifeless, stunned body lying on the carpet in Mr. Robins’s office. I don’t think they killed him, but I can’t be sure. I’ll never forgive myself if he’s dead.

And Trinity . . .

My chest squeezes tight as I recall the look on her face when Lieutenant Dire dragged her into the ball with his arm cinched around her neck. The wideness of her eyes. The paleness of her skin. Freckles as stark as blood dribbled over freshly fallen snow.

Her words.

Her accusation.

The moment she sealed my fate.

She gave me up to the Extinguishers.

I’ve imagined moments just like it a thousand times since the day I discovered what I am. I just never thought my best friend would be the one standing on the other side of that accusing finger.

She must have seen me in the Central Park Tree Farm during our cadet exam. I recall that flash of red hair I spotted through the bushes.

I wasn’t sure. I am now.

The way she hugged me at the end and then walked away.

I should have known.

It was her.

She saw me, waited a full week . . . and then betrayed me in front of everyone.

Maybe she had no choice. Maybe she grappled with her decision. Maybe she was crying because she was sorry.

Or maybe she was just afraid of me.

I don’t know which cuts worse.

My stomach pitches, rage and hurt curdling in my gut. Trinity isn’t perfect, but I never thought she would do something like this.

A tear slips down my cheek. I knew we were growing apart. I was losing her to the E-squad. Or maybe I’d lost her already. Still, she is my best friend. I would have done anything for her.

Was. Was my best friend.

I have to accept that. Even if I could return home, I could never forgive her.

I use Teddy’s arm to wipe the moisture from my face and try to empty my mind. I need to sleep if I’m going to have the strength to face whatever comes next.

For now, I think I’m safe. Relatively so, at least.

Rook is here, and he won’t let anything happen to me.

In spite of everything, I believe that.

Just as I’m drifting off, the wail of a siren pierces through the night.