Page 190 of Storm Caller

Then he turns around and stomps out of the room. I’m so surprised that it takes me a moment to shout, “No you aren’t!”

I run to catch up, following him down the stairs.

“We’re doing this together,” I say. “You are not giving yourself up for me.”

“Go back upstairs, Poet,” he practically growls. “I’ll take care of this.”

“Rook, no!” I grab his arm. “I promised your father.”

That brings him to a stop a step below me. He turns around.

“He told me you’d probably try to sacrifice yourself for me, and I promised I’d stop you.” I swallow a thick knot. “Please don’t make me a liar.”

He clenches his jaw, his eyes darting around the stairwell before he fixes his stare on me.

“Please,” I say. “I want to do this together. I’m not helpless.”

He exhales a sharp breath and runs a hand through his hair.

“I know you aren’t,” he says. “I’ve never thought that.”

“Just a lot of trouble?” I ask, earning me a small smile.

“Worth every bit of it,” he answers, and then he holds out his hand. “Fine.”

We make our way to the main floor and burst into the cool night air.

The rain has stopped, and the sky is flashing and tumbling with amethyst clouds.

The storm is close, but I ignore the itching in my limbs.

When Journey and Domino spot us, they both dissolve into tears. I want to run to them, but they stand blocked by a pair of Patrols.

“We’re here,” Rook says. “Let them go.”

Sol lifts her chin. “I want your word that you’ll come quietly,” she says.

“So you can use us?” I ask.

“So you can help me,” she says, spreading her hands. “New Manhattan needs you. Everyone here needs you.”

“I don’t want to be a part of this anymore,” I say. “I thought I wanted to protect this city, but . . .”

“I will protect you,” she says, flattening her hand to her heart. “I swear to you that I will keep you both safe.”

I scoff. “You literally just threatened my friends. You turned a bunch of innocent people into fucking batteries! I’d be a fool to believe another word you say. Let them go. Let us go. You have no power here anymore.”

Sol’s expression darkens as I watch several emotions cross her face.

Disappointment. Fear.

And then anger.

“Fine,” she says. “If this is how you want to do it. Take them!”

Instantly, the Patrols start moving toward us.

Rook and I back up several steps. We’re unarmed and outnumbered.