Page 141 of Storm Caller

I wouldn’t blame him. I want him to be happy. But I also want to throw up.

I recall that look on his face right before he ran.

The remorse. The grief.

Was that really goodbye?

Suddenly, my breath turns to lead, and I sway on my feet.

“Poet!” comes a soft voice, as someone steadies me with a touch to my elbow. It’s Domino. She wraps me in a hug, and I throw my arms around her. We stand together, clinging to each other, both of us shaking.

“Journey,” I whisper. “I’m so sorry.”

I don’t entirely know what I’m apologizing for, but it feels like someone should be sorry.

“I know,” she says. “I . . . don’t . . .”

I take her hand and squeeze it. “We’ll get her out,” I promise, lowering my voice. “This isn’t real. She isn’t . . .”

“She isn’t,” Domino insists.

“It’s okay,” I whisper. “Everything will be okay.”

I’m not sure if I believe that, but it feels good to say it anyway.

“What about Rook?” Domino asks.

“We’ll find him.” I say it firmly, trying to believe that, too.

Domino leans in. “You were so fucking badass in there. The way you fought, giving him a chance to escape, was incredible.”

I offer her a watery smile and laugh. “He would have done the same for me. I only wish I could have helped Journey.”

Domino shakes her head. “Don’t do that to yourself. That wasn’t your fault.”

The news broadcast is still playing, and now it’s my face flashing on the screen.

“Poet Graves, daughter of Scion Graves, is known to be involved with the Solitude . . .”

The newscaster goes on to share most of my story. My switch to Aria. My accusation. My escape, my trial, and my eventual release. She talks about how my false imprisonment is stirring up public sentiment.

As a result, The Shield is promising more transparency, including due process and trials for everyone brought into Extinguisher custody. While that sounds promising, I suspect it’s all bullshit.

I notice several people have started giving me sidelong glances. Everyone saw what I did. None of them could be surprised that I helped Rook escape, can they? Except that he’s a Solitude. They already didn’t want him around. Even though they’ve known him for more than a year and he’s never given them any actual reason to distrust him, they still hate him.

And now they think he’s infected. That he’s on the run, hiding somewhere, preparing to retaliate or close to losing his mind and lashing out.

Some people are speaking up to protect Keepers, but that sentiment still doesn’t extend to a Solitude.

The voice from the news broadcast floats across the room.

“Patrol Captain Benjamin Smythe speculates that the Solitude is responsible for the numerous murders that have plagued New Manhattan for months.”

My heart rate speeds up, and my stomach drops as everyone turns to look at me.

Domino pulls away from our hug, and my chest cracks at the expression on her face. “Rook?” she asks, shaking her head. “It can’t be.”

That’s when I spot Trinity in the crowd, then Knox. My stomach pitches at the sight of his bloodred T-shirt. Of course, given the chance to join the Extinguishers, he would take it. Anything to exercise his petty brand of cruelty.