Chapter 66
Amery buzzes with news of another attack near the school the following morning. Another Keeper. The culprits have already been arrested, and the knowledge does nothing to settle the constant worry forming a knot in my stomach.
The Extinguishers have been seen everywhere. Roaming supermarkets and public events. Walking through the city. I consider asking Rook if we should call off our whole mission and wait for a less precarious moment to do this, but they’re closing in on us, and we’re running out of time.
When Rook and I woke this morning, we were still tangled together, and I can’t stop thinking about how he made me feel last night, nor his promise to “celebrate” once we’ve accomplished our task.
My cheeks heat as I absentmindedly stir my soup at the table in the cafe-teria where I’m sitting with Domino and Journey.
“Hello?” Domino snaps her fingers under my nose. “Earth to Poet?”
I look up, and both of my friends give me knowing looks.
“Do you have something to share with the class?” Domino asks, folding her arms. “Perhaps something about a gorgeous outcast from the Wastes?”
I can’t even pretend to hide it as a grin stretches across my face, and we all break into giggles. I shake my head and continue stirring my soup as they beg for details. A normal, everyday interaction like this is exactly what I needed to settle the anxious churning in my gut.
“Stop it!” I laugh. “I’m not telling you anything.”
“Just tell me he’s a good kisser,” Domino says. “He looks like he’s a good kisser.”
“He’s a very good kisser,” I say with another grin that I’m helpless to contain, and they high-five each other. They needle me a while longer, while I offer up a few details without invading Rook’s privacy. It’s nice to feel like they’re genuinely happy for me and aren’t just digging for gossip.
“So, we’re getting ready for the party in your room?” Domino asks.
“Of course. Go grab your things, and I’ll meet you there.”
“Perfect,” Domino says before they both leave.
After they’re gone, I try eating a few more bites of soup before I give up and head back to my room to find Rook pulling on a black velvet jacket embroidered with black detailing at the cuffs and down the front. He’s wearing fitted black pants and a tailored white button-up shirt with black boots.
“Hi,” I say, closing the door behind me and admiring how everything molds to the curves of his arms and legs. “You’re dressed already?”
He shrugs on the coat and buttons it up before spreading his arms and staring down at himself.
“How do I look?” He peers up at me with an uncharacteristically vulnerable expression.
“You look really good,” I say a little breathlessly. “Like . . . wow.”
He assesses himself again. “You think? I’ve never worn anything like this in my life.”
“Well, it suits you,” I say, leaning in the doorway and taking my time scanning him from head to toe, very obviously checking him out.
“Keep looking at me like that, Trouble, and—” he growls.
I meet his eyes. “And what?” I challenge.
He huffs out a short laugh. “And you’re going to be the death of me, aren’t you?”
I smile and drop my arms, crossing the room and stretching up onto my tiptoes to peck him on the lips. He cups my elbows with his hands.
“Thank you for all your help,” I say. “With the planning. For just being there for me the last few months. I blew up my whole life, and yet, I can’t help but think you’ve made that one of the best decisions ever.”
He offers me a half smile. “Poet, you have no idea how important this time has been to me. I—” He stops, inhales sharply, wavers about something in the flash of his eyes.
“Tomorrow, I want to talk about a few things, okay? Stuff about my life, and more about why I’m here.
There are some things you should know about me that I wasn’t sure I could share, but I think . . . I think I can trust you.”
“You can,” I reply immediately. “With anything. I want to know all your secrets, Rook. The dark ones and the happy ones. I want to know you.”
He searches my face. “I want you to know me, too, Poet Graves.” After another moment, he adds, “I’m going to meet with Edward to go over the details one more time. I’ll see you at the party?”
“I’ll be there,” I say. “I’ll be the one with the dress.”
He leans in to kiss me, then picks up the black velvet mask from the bed, tying it over his face.
I don’t know how it manages to make him look even more devastating, but I struggle to breathe around the sparkling thing fizzing in my chest. He looks dangerous and mysterious, just like that day when he first arrived and upended all our worlds.
We stare at each other for another second before he takes my hand and presses his lips to the back. “I’ll see you soon.”
Then he leaves the room while I wait for Domino and Journey to arrive.
An hour later, we’re all dressed for the ball.
Domino opted for a bright red dress with a strapless bodice and a skirt made of swooping layers of satin.
Her ornate mask is decorated with bits of red and gold lace and beading.
Journey chose a sequined black dress with hot pink lining that peeks through a high slit up the side and a sleek mask of pink leather.
My dress is soft and flowing, with a cascade of purple roses traveling over my shoulder and a skirt of white and amethyst layers of sheer silk. It’s absolutely beautiful and one of the prettiest dresses I’ve ever owned.
My purple half mask ties with a white ribbon, accented with white lace and beading.
“You look almost like an Empire Storm,” Domino remarks as I check myself in the mirror. I smile before I walk over and give her a hug.
“I’m so glad you came to Amery.” I look at Journey. “Both of you. This year has been so much better with you two in it.”
Journey scoots off the bed, and we all hug.
“Next year is gonna rock!” Journey says, and I have to laugh at her enthusiasm.
“It really is.”
As long as I can stop the Extinguishers from hitting the target on my back.
While I put on the finishing touches of my makeup, I can’t help but think of Trinity. We should have been doing this together. Instead, we haven’t spoken in what feels like forever.
A blast of wind rattles the windows, and I turn to look outside.
“Weather’s getting rough,” Domino says, a worried groove forming between her brows, but the storm will also serve as the distraction we need tonight.
My cadet boots lie in the corner, and I walk over to stuff my feet inside. I do have a set of pretty purple heels, but they don’t seem practical for the break-in.
“Boots?” Journey asks.
“I did something to my ankle in the gym yesterday,” I say, tying them up and throwing my skirt over the toes. “See? You can’t even tell.”
Journey gives me a skeptical look and shrugs as another gust of wind tosses a blast of raindrops at the windows.
“Ugh, we’re going to get wet,” Domino says. “It’s starting to rain.”
“Bring a jacket,” I say, opting for cropped, fitted black leather. “It’s a quick walk across the plaza.”
“My hair,” Journey whimpers as she fluffs it up in the mirror.
“I have one with a hood you can use,” I say, opening my closet and handing it over.
Once we’re all suitably covered, we head upstairs to find dozens of other students joining the flow, everyone dressed in their best. An electric sense of excitement hangs in the air, and despite the nervous pit in my stomach, I find myself swept up in everyone’s enthusiasm.
We scurry across the plaza, clinging to our skirts that toss in the wind before entering the lobby of the Citadel.
Servers dressed in black-and-white suits bearing golden platters with flutes of sparkling wine greet us as they direct us toward the ballroom.
The hall is magnificently decorated with giant drooping boughs of greenery, covered in colorful bursts of flowers and tall golden candelabras, each fitted with dripping candles.
The ballroom is resplendent with its gilded, frescoed ceilings and walls. The hardwood floors gleam in the flicker of candlelight and the thousands of rows of string lights draped across the ceiling.
Domino gasps and clings to my arm as we take it all in. It’s positively magical. “Some days I wake up and can’t believe I’m here,” she says. “A Society party.”
“Let’s ditch these jackets,” Journey says, shaking off a shower of raindrops. “And then I want one of those cocktails.”
We’re moving toward the coat check line when I spot Edward standing in the corner. “I’ll be right back,” I say, waving at Domino and Journey before weaving through the crowd.
“Hey,” I say, coming up to Edward. “Are we all set?”
He’s dressed for the ball in a suit similar to Rook’s but with a more disheveled air, thanks to his undone jacket and the open top buttons of his shirt.
“I’m ready,” he says with a lopsided grin that seems at odds with the moment. “Everything’s good to go.”
“You’re sure?”
“Don’t worry—I’ve got this handled.”
He doesn’t seem nervous at all. In fact, he seems eager.
“Okay, thank you. I know this has been a lot of work.”
“I like working with Rook,” he says. “He’s different from what I thought he’d be.”
“Yeah,” I say. “I know the feeling.”
“What’s with you two?” Edward asks. “You’ve gotten pretty close, it seems.”
It’s my turn to smile. “I think so?”
“Do you like him?” I shrug, trying to make it look casual, but Edward grins. “Well, he’s obsessed with you.”
My forehead furrows. “He is?”
“Definitely. I can tell. I’m happy for you. You deserve someone special, Poe.”
I exhale a soft breath. “Thank you,” I whisper. “Before I forget, there’s another thing I’m hoping we can find out. I learned something about Raine recently, and I need you to see if there are any more details about his death.”
“Raine?” he says, his eyes widening. “What happened to him?”
“I’m not sure, but I need to find out.”
“What do you mean by that? He died in a Solitude attack.”
“I know, but it might not be that simple.”
He studies my face, trying to read what I can’t and won’t share.
“Okay,” he says. “I’m trusting you.”
“You’re the best, Edward. I’d love to see you more. Maybe we can grab coffee sometimes?”
Losing Trinity has been extremely hard, and if I examine myself more closely, I realize how I let myself get distracted by everything else in my life. It’s made the pain of losing her a bit softer, without all the same rough edges. Edward has been sitting with only this piece of him she carved out.
“I’d like that,” he answers before we’re interrupted by a voice booming over the loudspeaker.
“Ladies and gentlemen!” I turn toward a stage at the room’s far end, where a man stands holding a microphone.
“Welcome to New Manhattan’s annual graduation masquerade!
It’s my pleasure to welcome all four of our esteemed Houses to participate in this most honored of traditions.
” The man pauses for a round of applause before gesturing to his left.
“I’d like to welcome The Shield to the stage! ”
Another chorus of thunderous clapping breaks out as Chancellor Marks, General Sol, and Chancellor Orsen all emerge from a door along with a contingent of their Circle Guard.
General Sol bounds up the stage, formidable in a purple velvet suit with curve-hugging pants and a jacket that flares elegantly at the waist. Her silver boots are polished to a high shine, and her hair is pulled back into a high knot with the tail draping over a shoulder.
Chancellors Marks and Orsen both wear dark suits, crisp white shirts, and shiny black shoes.
General Sol accepts the microphone and bows.
“Welcome!” she says to the room. “We are honored to join you at the end of another school year, when New Manhattan’s brightest and best come together to celebrate our successes.”
More applause as several new people join The Shield on the stage, including an elegant couple dripping with jewels and confidence: Scion Beaufort with her stunning wife.
They greet the leaders with air kisses and handshakes as another pair ascends.
I knew they’d be here.
Obviously, they were expected to attend.
But seeing them in the flesh becomes a sharp kick to the stomach.
My parents.