Page 72 of Storm Caller

“Thank you,” I say, choking on a sob. “Thank you.”

I note the scowl on Major Birch’s face. He’s obviously furious that he isn’t getting his hands on me.

“Don’t thank me,” she says. “You were wrongly accused. The Shield apologizes for the mistake. We understand why you were frightened and why you had to flee the city.”

“Okay,” I say. I’m barely coherent, dizzy with relief. “I can go back to my dorm room?”

Sol steps aside, and the major punches in the code to my cell, his brow lowered. “We’ll be keeping an eye on you,” he says to me. “So watch your back.”

“Major,” Sol says sharply. “That isn’t necessary. Nor is it protocol.”

Birch glances at his feet briefly before pinning me with a glare. “Yes, General.”

“Follow me,” Sol says. I wish I could talk to her. I wish I could ask what happens next.

Instead, I quickly exit my cell before we wind through the Tempestade and eventually arrive on the Citadel’s main floor. I blink at the flood of light thanks to numerous windows lining the main lobby. I think of the masquerade ball, my pretty dress, and the night we planned to break into the computers.

“What happened to Edward Chu?” I ask, desperate for information. “He was with me the night I . . . escaped.”

Sol peers over her shoulder at Major Birch.

“You may leave now,” she says.

The major opens his mouth, then closes it, his eyes narrowing.

“That’s an order,” the general tacks on, and he has no choice but to obey.

He grumbles, turns around, and walks off, his shoes squeaking against the smooth tiles. When he’s gone, General Sol turns to me.

“Edward Chu is currently in custody for attempting to break into The Shield’s computers. He has been given a light jail sentence.”

He’s alive. Thank Skies.

But what does she mean by “attempting”? He did break in.

Uncertainty passes behind Sol’s eyes. “However, his arrest and incarceration are both classified. You are to keep the details of your little adventure to The Shield’s office to yourself. It is tantamount to the city’s safety.”

Her expression is hard, her dark eyes like knifepoints. A shiver of apprehension rolls down my back.

“How long will he be in jail for?” I ask, my voice a whisper. Guilt twists in my gut. I might be free, but Edward agreed to help me that night, and now he’s paying the price.

“He’ll be released when the school semester starts. It was an act of impetuous youthfulness, and there is no reason to ruin his life over it.”

Those words seem to contradict the hardness of her tone, but at least he’ll be home soon. I’m just so relieved he isn’t dead. Maybe I’ll visit his mom and see how she’s doing. If she’ll even talk to me after everything I’ve done.

“Can I visit him?” I ask.

“No. You’ll see him soon enough.”

I accept that answer because, all things considered, it may be a generous outcome.

“What about me?” I ask. “I was also there for the . . . attempt.”

Her gaze falls to me, sharp and clear. “Given the amount of time you’ve already been locked up in the Tempestade, we’ve agreed that you’ve served the required time.”

“What about—”

“Poet,” General Sol says, cutting me off before I can ask about Rook. They must know he broke in that night, too. “I’m not sure I can make this clearer. The break-in never happened. You were accused of being a Keeper, and, fearing for your life, you ran. Are we understood?”