Page 171 - Fourth Wing

you’ve got any bright ideas, now is the time.”

If I’m going to run to the Scribe Quadrant, then tonight is the night. My
heart clenches against the thought. It’s the logical choice. The safe choice.

There are only two thoughts stopping me.

One, there’s no guarantee my mother won’t find out. Just because
Markham would keep quiet doesn’t mean the instructors there will.

But most importantly, if I go, if I hide…I’ll never know if I’m good

enough to make it here. And while I might not survive if I stay, I’m not sure
I can live with myself if I leave.

…

“Doria Merrill,” Captain Fitzgibbons says from the dais. Every one of his
features is crystal clear, not only because the sun is behind the shade of the

clouds but because I’m closer. Our formation gets tighter with every cadet

who falls.
According to Brennan and statistics, today will be one of the deadliest for

first-years.

It’s Presentation Day, and in order to get to the flight field, we’ll have to
climb the Gauntlet first. Everything about the Riders Quadrant is designed

to weed out the weak, and today is no exception.

“Kamryn Dyre.” Captain Fitzgibbons continues to read from the roll.
I flinch. His seat was across from mine in Dragonkind.

“Arvel Pelipa.”
Imogen and Quinn—both second-years—suck in a breath ahead of me.

First-years aren’t the only ones at risk; we’re just the most likely to die.

“Michel Iverem.” Captain Fitzgibbons closes the roll. “We commend
their souls to Malek.” And with that final word, formation breaks.

“Second- and third-years, unless you’re on Gauntlet duty, head to class.
First-years, it’s time to show us what you’ve got.” Dain forces a smile and

skips right over me as he looks at our squad.