Page 51 of Storm Caller

“As long as they control the cure, they control the city. If dozens, or even hundreds, of other people could survive the storms, their positions would be threatened. The entire structure of Society would be at risk.”

“All this because they don’t want to let go of their power?” Rook asks, his jaw feathering in frustration.

“Men will do anything to hold on to their privilege,” Sol says, her voice edged with disdain. “I felt the same once, but I’ve realized the error of my ways. It’s what destroyed the world so many centuries ago, and it seems that even with the lessons of the past to guide us, humanity continues to fall into the same pattern again and again.”

I’m not sure what to say to that. I glance at Rook, who appears equally perplexed.

“So, how do we find their research?” he asks.

General Sol’s expression goes distant, like she’s peering into the regrets of her past. Then before our eyes, she straightens, shifting back into a member of The Shield with a plan and an agenda. “I need you to return. Infiltrate the social group around the Extinguishers. You’re friends with the Robins girl, and she’s being lauded as a hero for what she did to you. Gain their trust, learn their secrets. The Extinguishers recruit the weak-willed for a reason. They’re easy to manipulate.”

“Send someone else,” Rook says. “They tried to have Poet killed.”

“You think I haven’t tried?” Sol asks. “But there are very few people I can trust with this knowledge.”

Sol pauses, waiting for us to react.

Eventually, I clear my throat. “So . . . you want Rook and me to go back to school as if nothing happened, convince everyone I’m totally not a danger to anyone, and trick the person who tried to get me murdered into telling me what the Extinguishers know about The Shield’s secret research. Oh, and keep your secrets so New Manhattan doesn’t crumble. Do I have that right?”

General Sol tips her head and nods, offering me a penetrating look that I feel straight to the marrow of my bones.

“Well, okay,” I say, my tone dry, as reality clamps around my wrists like manacles. “As long as I understand the assignment.”

17

“Why should she do any of that?” Rook demands. “You’re sending her, sending us both to our deaths if the chancellors learn what we are. I don’t owe a fucking thing to New Manhattan.”

General Sol’s brows draw together. “You’re correct. I have little right to ask this of you, and the choice is yours. You could remain here and live as you’ve always planned, but I know that you and your father want to find a cure as badly as I do. I will share it with you once I recover the research. I also know you are Summit’s son, and you wouldn’t walk away from the chance to do the right thing for everyone.”

Rook scoffs. “Don’t try to test my sense of morality. You’re the one who stole the research.”

Sol places a hand to her heart. “I’m offering all of my knowledge, Rook. You are a Caller—I’m sure you want to know how I power the city. I can give you that.”

“You’re bargaining with me?”

“You must admit, it’s a tempting offer. The cure and a literal lifeline for your people.”

Rook huffs but doesn’t reply as Sol turns to me. “And Poet, the city is your home. Your parents are sick with worry about you. Don’t you want to see them? Won’t you help me protect them?”

“How are they?” I whisper. “How’s my mom?”

“Missing you terribly,” she says. “Wondering if she’ll ever see you again.”

“My dad knew about me all along. And he really wanted to protect me?”

“Because he loves you,” she says. “I would have done the same for my own children.”

“Maybe,” I say, but I won’t agree to anything until I ask the question that’s been burning on my tongue since the moment I saw the general.

“You took my brother’s body,” I say. “The night we broke into The Shield’s computer, I saw you on the video feed.”

General Sol studies me and blinks. “I remember that night. Such a terrible tragedy.”

That’s when I start trembling. “Why did you tell us Solitudes took him? You took him.”

“I did take him,” she confesses. “But I was trying to protect him. I knew what he was, too, and I tried to shield him from his fate. My plan was to get him out of the city, but they couldn’t suspect, so I lied and claimed his attackers had him.”

“He was like me,” I say.