Page 84 of Storm Caller

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An hour later, Rook and I make our way toward the same tunnel entrance we used when we first returned to the city. It feels like it’s been a lifetime since we emerged into the busy market square and gave ourselves up to the Extinguishers.

We’re both wearing plain black clothes to avoid drawing attention. The square is busy again, filled with people enjoying the afternoon market, and the mood is light, but they won’t be here much longer. The clouds are gathering, and I have a feeling this is why the general wanted to meet with us today.

I’m grateful for it.

I desperately need to touch Spark.

We enter the alley, ensuring no one sees us, and then make the trek out of the city. By the time we emerge at the exit, the sun is sinking and the clouds are growing thicker. I itch the backs of my hands and notice Rook scratching the side of his neck before he rolls his shoulders and shakes out his arms like he’s trying to dissipate the same uncomfortable sensations.

“It’s been far too long,” I say. “I’m coming out of my skin.”

“I visited the rock wall while you were locked up,” he says. “But it wasn’t the same without you.”

I offer him a soft smile and take his hand as we both peer at the empty landscape.

“What time is it? Where is she?”

“We’re a few minutes early,” he says, just as the sound of a rumble draws our attention. A truck is flying toward us, bumping over the landscape. It skids to a stop, revealing General Sol behind the wheel, one wrist slung over it and the other hanging across the seat.

“Hop in,” she says. She’s so different from her usual put-together self. She’s wearing jeans and a T-shirt, and her hair is twisted into a messy knot at her nape. The effect makes her look younger. It’s hard to believe she’s dying.

Rook and I scramble into the cab with me in the middle seat, and then she presses the accelerator and we’re off, trundling deeper into the Tiera Frais.

“I wanted to make sure no one could see us,” she says. “Ideally, we’d do this at the top of the Citadel, but that’s too risky right now. My closest Circle Guards are entrusted with most of my secrets, but someone else might see you.”

“Don’t you need to be up there?” I ask, and she nods.

“Yes, but I have a bit of time. The forecast is calling for a light storm, and the Breakers can handle it until I get back.”

About thirty minutes later, she brings us to a stop in the middle of a clearing bordered by tall rocks. We hop out of the truck, and I look around. There’s nothing here. It’s just a barren landscape as far as the eye can see.

“This is a good spot,” the general says.

“For what?” Rook asks.

“The first part of your training.” She plants her hands on her hips and looks up, scrutinizing the flashing clouds.

“What does that mean?” I ask.

“You’re Storm Callers,” she says. “Have you ever felt like the storms find you?”

“Yes. Many times,” Rook says.

Sol nods as if that answer pleases her. The wind tugs at the errant strands of her hair, whipping them across her cheeks.

“That isn’t a coincidence. The Spark isn’t finding you. You’re actually calling it, probably without realizing it.”

My brows dip together. It makes so much sense when she puts it like that.

Maybe a part of me already knew.

“Conversely, you can also do the opposite—push Spark away. It’s a useful method to protect yourself,” she continues. “You’ve likely also been doing it subconsciously.”

I shake my head. I’d never considered that before.

This would change so much.