Page 89 of Storm Caller

I know they’re wondering about me. I was accused of being the very thing they spend their time hunting. I was absolved, but I can tell that at least a few remain suspicious.

Trinity’s eyes catch mine, and my mouth presses together with the force of a thousand unsaid words. She slides out from her seat and stands, while her friends offer what sound like encouraging comments.

Trinity is a coward, but still, I wonder what she’ll do next. I wonder if she has a shred of honor left.

“Sit down,” Ruby tells her, and Trinity looks at the other woman before nodding and slowly obeying. Of course she’s too spineless to face me.

“Coward,” Rook mutters under his breath, echoing the same sentiments.

But suddenly I’m furious in a whole new way. How dare she accuse me during that trial, then try to shirk away from facing me when her words were proven false? She owes me a fucking apology. Even if her words were true, they were never justified. I don’t deserve to be taken and locked up because of something I could never help.

“Trinity,” I say, my voice ringing out through the cafeteria with a bit more force than I intended. The room goes silent as Trinity stops, hovering awkwardly between sitting and standing. I release Rook’s hand and stride over. “We need to talk.”

“She has nothing to say to you,” Ruby says. She looks ready to rip my heart from my chest, but thankfully, she’s still seated, giving me a tiny, if misguided, boost of confidence.

“I wasn’t speaking to you,” I say, fusing a chill into my voice. “Plus, this is really none of your business.”

Ruby scowls. “Everything that happens with my squad is my business.”

“Does she speak for you?” I ask Trinity. “Are you unable to have a conversation without someone else’s permission?”

Trinity’s cheeks turn pink as she straightens back up. “It’s okay, Ruby,” she says. “I’ll talk to her.”

“You don’t have to,” Ruby bites out. “You owe her nothing.”

I ignore Ruby and watch Trinity, waiting for her to contradict that statement.

Trinity actually owes me so fucking much.

“It’s fine,” Trinity says, her voice small.

I guess it will have to do. Trinity shuffles between the tables, coming around the corner. I can feel every eye on us, but really, what else is new? Trinity always wanted to be the center of attention, and now she’s getting her wish.

“Okay, let’s talk,” she says, and I shake my head.

“Not here.”

Then I turn on my heel and walk away. Rook is still waiting for me in the center aisle. I meet his gaze, and he arches a brow before I shake my head, telling him I’m fine. He nods and moves aside, giving my wrist a quick squeeze as I pass.

I reach the exit and nearly stop dead in my tracks at the sight of Lieutenant Dire in his Extinguisher uniform. He stands with his feet spread and his hands clasped behind his back, looking for all the world like he owns the place.

Oh great.

He glances over, his gaze moving behind me, where I can hear Trinity’s footsteps.

“What’s going on?” he demands. I reach back to snag Trinity’s elbow and brush past him without answering.

“Where do you think you’re taking her?” Lieutenant Dire asks, following us before I spin around, never releasing my hold on Trinity.

“I’m going to talk to my oldest friend. And all of you are going to mind your own damn business.”

“It’s fine,” Trinity says, her tone weak with fear. “I’m fine.”

Lieutenant Dire huffs, and then Trinity and I are on the move again. I find a spot where we’ll have some privacy, rounding a corner and pushing her toward the wall before finally letting go. She whips around to face me, pressing her back to the surface as her chest heaves with nervous breaths.

“Poe, I’m sorry,” she says. “I thought I saw—”

“How could you?” I ask. “How could you do that to me?”