Page 24 of Storm Caller

“I’m sure it was.”

“You made it easier,” he says. There is no artifice in his expression. Some hopeful part of me believes he’s being completely serious.

I don’t know how to respond, so I look away, picking up my tray and setting it on the table by the wall.

I still have more questions, but we’re out of time for now, because Cole returns, telling us it’s time to leave.

Before long, Rook and I are escorted to the edge of the encampment, marching between Calliope and Fisher. It takes me a moment to process what I’m seeing. A jeep of some sort stands at the gate. It has big, rugged wheels and a canvas top supported by thick railings. A large solar panel is mounted on the back, along with what looks like a battery.

“Dear Daddy sent it,” Calliope says. “I guess he’s eager to see you.”

Rook answers with a grunt as we pass through the gates and approach. A driver sits with his arm propped up on the window’s edge.

“Afternoon!” he says. “Beautiful day to cross the Veil!”

He’s probably about ten years older than me and has honey-blond hair and brown eyes, along with an accent I’ve never heard before. Sort of soft and lilting, his words clip off at the ends like he doesn’t want to go to the trouble of finishing them.

“I’m Percy,” he says with a grin. “Welcome aboard.”

Rook opens the back door and gestures for me to sit. “After you.”

When Fisher flings open the front passenger door, Rook demands, “What are you doing?”

His older brother shoots a glare at the back seat. “Thanks to your little stunt, I’ve been summoned to see the high commander, too.”

August marches up to Fisher, and they exchange a few quiet words. I can’t hear everything they’re saying, but it sounds like Fisher is giving orders for the camp while he’s away. I get into the back seat, and I’m scooting across when the opposite door opens, revealing Calliope.

She scowls at me and drops into her seat, leaving me in the middle. Rook enters and pauses when he sees her before slamming the door.

“Can’t manage a few days apart?” he asks, deadpan.

Calliope rolls her eyes as Fisher shoots another dirty look over his shoulder. “How about we all just shut the fuck up for the entirety of this ride?”

“Where’s the fun in that?” Percy asks. At first, I think he must be oblivious to the tension in the jeep, but he looks back and winks at me, telling me he very much knows what’s happening. I think I like him.

Everyone glares, and Percy throws the vehicle into gear. Then he honks a few times and turns us around.

“What about her?” Fisher says, pointing to me.

“What about her?” Rook asks.

“She should be blindfolded.”

Rook blows out a breath. “Is that necessary?”

Fisher arches a brow. “You know the rules. She’s an outsider. How do you think the high commander would react, knowing you showed her the way to Cloudspire?”

Rook opens his mouth, clearly about to protest.

“It’s fine,” I say. “Blindfold me.”

“Poet, you don’t have to do this,” Rook says.

I shake my head. “Do it. Better than being knocked out again.”

I glare at Calliope, who smirks, clearly not at all sorry about earlier.

Percy brings us to a stop and offers me a skeptical look, then pops open a hatch in the front dash. He retrieves a bit of black fabric and hands it to Rook.