Page 109 - Fourth Wing

others. Liam Mairi. He’s in Second Squad, Tail Section of our wing and

already the top cadet in our year. He practically ran across the parapet and
destroyed every opponent on assessment day.

“Shit,” Xaden swears, and I would give anything to see his expression as

he lifts a hand to his face.
The big one—Garrick—sighs. “I’ll teach them.” I recognize him now.

He’s the Flame Section leader in Fourth Wing. My direct superior above

Dain.
Xaden shakes his head. “You’re our best fighter—”

“You’re our best fighter,” a second-year near Xaden counters with a quick

grin. He’s handsome, with tawny brown skin crowned by a cloud of black
curls and a litany of patches on what I can see of his uniform under his

cloak. His features are close enough to Xaden’s that they might be related.
Cousins, maybe? Fen Riorson had a sister, if I remember correctly. Shit,

what was the guy’s name? It’s been years since I read the records, but I

think it started with a B.
“Dirtiest fighter, maybe,” Imogen snarks.

Most everyone laughs, and even the first-years crack a smile.
“Fucking ruthless is more like it,” Garrick adds.

There’s a general consensus of nods, including one from Liam Mairi.

“Garrick is our best fighter, but Imogen is right up there with him, and
she’s a hell of a lot more patient,” Xaden notes, which is just ludicrous

considering she didn’t seem too patient while breaking my arm. “So the

four of you split yourselves up between the two of them for training. A
group of three won’t draw any unwanted attention. What else is giving you

trouble?”

“I can’t do this,” a gangly first-year says, rolling his shoulders inward and
lifting his slim fingers to his face.

“What do you mean?” Xaden asks, his voice taking on a hard edge.
“I can’t do this!” The smaller one shakes his head. “The death. The