Chapter 13
I jolt awake as a door opens nearby. The sensation is disorienting, and it takes me several seconds to remember where I am. My neck cracks as I lift my head off Edward’s shoulder. He’s leaning against me, snoring softly.
Dr. Perez hovers over us as I wipe a spot of drool from the corner of my mouth, inadvertently shaking Edward awake.
“Trinity,” he breathes, his legs shooting straight out.
“It was close, but she’s stable for now,” the doctor says.
“The infection had already entered her bloodstream, but I have her on a strong dose of antibiotics. I cleaned the wound and stitched her up. We can deal with the scar when she’s feeling better, but she’ll need to remain in the med wing for a week or so.
Just until I can be sure the infection has cleared. ”
Edward nods and shoves himself up, using the wall for support. I follow him into the room, where we find Trinity sleeping peacefully in a bed in a far corner. The lights sit low, and she’s loaded up with various tubes and monitors, which pump and hiss softly.
“I gave her something for the pain,” Dr. Perez says. “It’ll probably be a few hours before she wakes up.” She walks to the other side of the bed and lays a hand on Trinity’s wrist, testing her pulse before making a note on her chart.
“What time is it?” I ask.
“About three in the morning,” the doctor answers. “You should probably get some sleep. Classes will start up for the day soon.”
She clucks sympathetically as Edward shakes his head. “I want to be here when she wakes up.”
The doctor tips her head. “I can give you a note to get you out of class for a day, but that’s as long as I can extend it.”
“Thank you,” he says.
“Me too?” I ask, and she nods.
“But why don’t you take shifts? One of you should sleep. You can’t stay up all night and all day.”
“You go,” Edward says to me. “I want to sit with her for a bit. Get something to eat and a few hours of sleep, and then I’ll trade off with you.”
I’m about to protest, but I watch as he takes Trinity’s hand and gently strokes the back before pressing her fingers to his mouth. I think of the doctor’s words just now. It was close. We almost lost Trin, and I sense he needs a moment alone with her.
It occurs to me that he must’ve passed his initiation test. I have difficulty picturing Edward killing anyone, but he must’ve done it.
I’ve always thought he’d be better suited to House Asale with his love of technology and building things.
But maybe he felt like he had no choice.
He has his mom to take care of. Without him, she’d have no one.
I remember everyone in that vault looking at me, willing me to choose that man’s death. The flash of anger in their eyes when I didn’t. Maybe this is a part of my father’s plan. Making us all complicit in this violent act normalizes the brutality.
“Sure, I’ll be back in a few hours to relieve you,” I say before making my way to my dorm room through blissfully quiet halls. Mercifully, I make it back without being spotted and ease open the door. The curtains are drawn, revealing the sun starting to rise over the horizon.
Maybe on purpose.
Maybe so I’d immediately see what they’ve done.
My breath hitches as I take in my destroyed corner of the room.
My bedsheets have been ripped, the pillows shredded, and the furniture broken.
In bright red letters on the wall, someone has painted “traitor” and then finished the job by staining my sheets with handprints.
My wardrobe hangs open, most of my uniforms torn and ruined.
I stare at the mess, sucking in deep breaths and willing myself not to cry.
Winter and Lacey sleep peacefully in their beds. Did they do this? Or did they watch someone else violate my space?
Trinity’s corner remains untouched, and that’s because she might have faltered on her test, but I’m the traitor.
A tear slips down my cheek, and I wipe it away with the back of my hand. I can’t stay here tonight.
I find a blanket that’s mostly intact and dig up some soft leggings and a T-shirt. Then I remember Teddy. I slide open the drawer and almost weep in relief when I find him lying untouched under a pile of my sweaters.
I hug him close, pressing my nose into his head as I cling to the shreds of myself.
When I enter the hall, I’m surprised to find Domino with her arms crossed, leaning against her doorway.
“You okay?” she asks.
“What are you doing up?” I respond as I tiptoe over.
“I don’t sleep well,” she answers. “I heard what happened to your friend and heard them doing that.” She gestures to my room. “I’m sorry.”
I shake my head and wipe my nose with a shrug. “It’s not your fault. Besides, I’m probably the one who’s wrong here.”
Domino considers my answer before continuing. “I heard you coming back and wondered if you might need somewhere to sleep tonight.”
The softness in her voice unlocks a rusty latch in my chest. There’s a guardedness about her posture, but I’m also unaccustomed to the kindness in her tone.
“Yeah, I’ll find a bed.”
My first instinct is to head to Knox’s room, since Edward’s bed is empty, but the thought fills me with deep revulsion. He’ll definitely get the wrong idea, and I really should stop running to Knox every time I need something.
“We have an extra bed,” Domino says, waving a hand. “You’re welcome to it.”
I stare at her and then at the door like she’s a shining beacon in the middle of a foggy night.
“You sure?”
“Yeah, why wouldn’t I be?”
“Because I’m . . . and you’re . . .” She arches a brow in what I can only describe as a challenging look, daring me to finish that sentence. “Because that doesn’t matter and thank you. I’d be grateful for somewhere to sleep.”
“I’m Domino,” she says, holding out a hand.
“Poet,” I say, shaking it. She smirks and opens the door before gesturing me inside.
“Oh, I know your name. Welcome to your bed, at least for tonight.”