Page 180 - Fourth Wing

“Are you quoting the Codex to me?” Amber shouts.

“—and they shall not be separated from those items no matter what they
may be,” I continue. “For once carried across the parapet, they are

considered part of their person. Article Three, Section Six, Addendum B.”

Her blue eyes flare wide as I glance at her. “That addendum was written
to make thievery an executional offense.”

“Correct.” I nod, looking between her and the onyx eyes that see straight

through me. “But in doing so, it gave any item carried across the parapet the
status of being a part of the rider.” I unsheathe the chipped and battered

blade with a sharp bite of pain in my palms. “This isn’t a challenge blade.

It’s one I carried across and therefore considered part of myself.”
His eyes flare, and I don’t miss the hint of a smirk on that infuriatingly

decadent mouth of his. It should be against the Codex to look that good and
be so ruthless.

“The right way isn’t the only way.” I use his own words against him.

Xaden holds my gaze. “She has you, Amber.”
“On a technicality!”

“She still has you.” He turns slightly and delivers a look that I never want
directed at me.

“You think like a scribe,” she barks at me.

It’s intended as an insult, but I just nod. “I know.”
She marches off, and I sheathe the dagger again, letting my hands fall to

my sides and closing my eyes as relief shucks the weight from my

shoulders. I did it. I passed another test.
“Sorrengail,” Xaden says, and my eyes fly open. “You’re leaking.” His

gaze drops pointedly to my hands.

Where blood is dripping from my fingertips.
Pain erupts, pushing past my mental dam like a raging river at the sight of

the mess I’ve made of my palms. I’ve shredded them.
“Do something about it,” he orders.