Page 80 of Storm Caller

“You’ve known me all our lives. You could have trusted me. Sided with me.”

I vowed never to cry in front of him again. Knox is finished being the reason for any of my tears.

He stares at me, eyes me up, then scoffs. “You weren’t worth the risk.”

Then he turns and walks away, leaving me trembling. With rage. With shame. With the recollection of how much he hurt me . . . and that I kept letting him get away with it.

“Come and sit,” Rook says in a low voice. “Ignore him.”

We cross the room to join Domino and Journey. I slam my tray down and stare at it for several seconds while they all wait for me to pull myself together. Domino stretches a hand across the table, and I look up to meet her kind gaze. It snaps me out of my spiral, reminding me where I am and that the way Knox treated me was never my fault.

I pick up my fork and dig into my noodles, stuffing a huge bite into my mouth.

“That’s better,” Rook says. “You know he has nothing left but to insult you with things that aren’t even true.”

I know he’s right. It wasn’t long ago that Knox claimed he was in love with me that night at Sogno. Rook presses his nose to the curve under my ear. Knox doesn’t matter at all. Rook is the one who matters. The one I’m giving my heart to.

“Aww,” Domino says. She has her hands clasped under her chin and her head tilted as she bats her lashes at us. “I’m so happy for you.”

Journey makes a similar face, and I toss my napkin in their direction. “Stop it, both of you.”

They giggle, and I shake off the encounter with Knox as Domino fills us in on her plans to run for the student society council, hoping to become a student leader in our third year. Devon and Stevie have graduated and are continuing their training with the Storm Guard. Soon, they’ll be replaced by new leaders, and people are already campaigning for their spots.

“That would shake things up,” Rook says. “Has there ever been a student leader who isn’t Society-born?”

They all look at me. “I doubt it,” I say. “I think it’s a fantastic idea. It’s about time.”

“I hate to ask this,” Domino says, “and you can say no, but it would go a long way to have your public endorsement.”

“Me?” I say. “I don’t think that will help. My family disowned me.”

“You’re still Society-born, and you’re still Poet Graves,” she says firmly. “None of that has changed. Despite what everyone whispers about you, they still want to be you. If anything, you’re . . . a hero. You chose what you wanted over what was expected of you. You were a victim of a false accusation, yet you survived. You’re a symbol of courage.”

I scan the room, noting numerous sideways glances. I just don’t think they’re looking at me for the reasons Domino claims.

“If you believe it will help, I’m happy to do anything,” I say, and Domino grins.

“Perfect. Thank you.”

At that moment, I notice Silver and Hazel approaching.

I tense up, clutching my fork. Without preamble, they both drop into the seats across from each other. “Poe!” Silver says, leaning over to wrap me in a one-armed hug. “We’re so glad you’re back. We were so worried about you.”

“You were?”

“Of course!” Hazel says. “After Trin ratted you out, we couldn’t believe it. We always knew she was a jealous bitch, but to go to such lengths for a bit of Extinguisher approval? Absolutely pathetic.”

“Hmm,” I say, refusing to react.

“Can you believe she’s friends with that monster?”

“Who?”

“Oh.” Silver’s eyes widen, and she gets that look on her face that I know so well. The one that suggests she has a bit of juicy gossip, and it’s her sworn duty and pleasure to be the one to share it with anyone who’ll listen. “You haven’t heard?”

“Heard what?”

She leans in, and Domino and Journey do the same. Even Rook moves in closer, though I’m not sure if it’s because he’s trying to protect me or because he also wants the scoop.