Page 111 of Storm Caller

“And so am I,” Rook adds. He didn’t have to admit it, but he’s standing beside me, lending his support, and Skies, how I love him for it.

I watch Journey’s face turn pale as she exchanges a bewildered look with Domino. Aside from the Extinguishers, this is another thing I’ve always dreaded. That the people I’ve trusted and called friends might look at me with that same fear.

“What’s that?” Domino whispers, tears building in her eyes. I understand this must be a lot to come to terms with. I know I’m struggling, and I already knew some of it.

I’m not sure where to begin, but thankfully Ada steps in.

“I can explain,” she says. “We’ve always had reason to believe that the genetic anomalies that create Keepers also create another branch of evolution resistant to the storms. My suspicions started when I was working closely with the general, and nothing about her made sense. Her abilities have never quite lined up with those of typical Keepers. They’re close enough that it would be easy to miss the differences, but I didn’t. The fact that she’s sixty-four and has resisted the madness for this long . . .” The doctor shakes her head. “No amount of ‘mental fortitude’ could account for that. It’s like saying you could stop yourself from getting the flu if you just tell the germs to go away.

“Eventually, I confronted her about it,” she continues. “She had no choice but to confess, but she swore me to secrecy and forbade me from doing any more research and ever mentioning it again.”

“And did you keep those promises?” I ask.

Ada’s eyes spark. “I didn’t.” She spreads her hands. “But it’s all been for nothing, because I’ve found very little information about Callers.”

“Did she ask you to lie for me during my trial?”

Ada nods. “She doesn’t know about the Fog, but she understands I am sympathetic to Keepers, so she asked for my help.”

“And Henry and Danica?”

“They were also in on it, though most of what we all said was true. It was simply a matter of presenting the information favorably.”

“I see . . .”

“Why not bring the general into your confidence about this?” Rook asks, gesturing around the room.

Ada inhales deeply, and I feel like it’s costing her something to confess this.

“General Sol is protective of Keepers, but she is still The Shield. Though I am privy to some of her secrets, I know there are many things she’ll never reveal to me willingly.”

I exchange a glance with Rook. How much can we tell them?

“Did anyone else see me?” I ask. “When I fell?”

Ada shakes her head. “No one who will turn you in,” she assures me. “Most of the Breakers on that Tower were our people. That was intentional. Henry knew you’d be at risk.”

“And the Guards?”

“Like I said. There are more of us than you think.”

“What’s the Fog’s ultimate goal?” Rook asks.

Ada’s dark gaze assesses him. The harsh fluorescent lights wash out her ebony skin, or maybe she’s simply exhausted. “That is a many-layered answer that perhaps is best left to another discussion.”

Rook nods. She’s trusting us with some information, but not everything. Not yet.

I think about General Sol. She is keeping things from the doctor, and Ada is perhaps right to be wary. I recall the general stumbling and falling on the screen before the video glitched. Either I imagined it or the feed was doctored. Did anyone else see it?

Rook squeezes my hand, and I hear his unspoken words. We need to discuss this in private before we reveal anything.

“This is a lot to take in,” I say, hopefully buying us some time.

“Of course it is,” Dr. Eze says. “If you’re feeling well enough, I think it’s best if the four of you return to Amery right away. Your absence will be noted, and I assume I don’t need to explain that our existence must be kept a secret or you’d be putting all of us at risk. We took a leap of faith in showing ourselves tonight.”

She pins us with a hard look, and we all nod.

“Of course,” Rook answers. “Your secrets are safe with us.”