Page 128 - Fourth Wing

the door, a puzzled expression on her face. “It was Brennan, wasn’t it?” I

ask Professor Kaori.
Sadness fills his gaze as he meets mine. “Yes. He died trying to save your

brother, but Brennan was too far gone.”

“Why would he do that?” I shift the weight of my satchel. “Resurrection
isn’t possible. Why would he essentially kill himself when Brennan was

already gone?” A stampede of grief tramples my heart, stealing my breath.

Brennan never would have wanted anyone to die for him. That wasn’t in his
nature.

Professor Kaori sits back against his desk, pulling at the short, dark hairs

of his mustache as he stares at me. “Being a Sorrengail doesn’t do you any
favors in here, does it?”

I shake my head. “There are more than a few cadets who would like to
take me—and my last name—down a peg.”

He nods. “It won’t be like that once you leave. After graduation, you’ll

find that being General Sorrengail’s daughter means others will do just
about anything to keep you alive, even pleased, not because they love your

mother but because they either fear her or want her favor.”
“Which was Naolin?”

“A little bit of both. And sometimes it’s hard for a rider with a signet that

powerful to accept his limits. After all, bonding makes you a rider, but
resurrecting someone from the dead? Now, that makes you a god. I

somehow don’t think that Malek takes kindly to a mortal treading on his

territory.”
“Thank you for answering.” I turn and start toward the door.

“Violet,” Professor Kaori calls out, and I pivot to look back. “I taught

both your siblings. A signet like mine is too useful here in the classroom to
let me deploy with a wing for long. Brennan was a spectacular rider and a

good man. Mira is shrewd and gifted in the seat when it comes to riding.”
I nod.