Page 209 - Fourth Wing

continues to back away.

Chest heaving, my lungs desperate for air, I chance a look over my
shoulder to see why Tynan’s retreating.

And my heart lurches into my throat.

Standing with the golden one tucked under an enormous, scarred black
wing is the biggest dragon I’ve ever seen in my life—the unbonded black

dragon Professor Kaori showed us in class. I don’t even come close to

reaching its ankle.
A growl resonates through its chest, vibrating the ground around me as it

lowers its gigantic head, baring dripping teeth.

Fear ripples through every cell in my body as its hot breath blows over
me.

“Step aside, Silver One,” a deep, gruff, definitely male voice orders.
I blink. Wait. What? Did he just speak to me?

“Yes. You. Move.” There’s zero room for argument in his tone, and I limp

to the side, nearly stumbling over Oren’s unconscious body as Tynan breaks
into a screaming run, fleeing for the trees.

The black dragon’s eyes narrow to glare at Tynan and he opens his mouth
wide a second before fire shoots across the field, blasting heat against the

side of my face and incinerating everything in its path…including Tynan.

Flames crackle at the edges of the blackened path, and I turn slowly to
face the dragon, wondering if I’m about to be next.

His giant golden eyes study me, but I hold my ground, tilting my chin

upward.
“You should end the enemy at your feet.”

My eyebrows jerk upward. His mouth didn’t move. He spoke to me,

but…his mouth didn’t move. Oh shit. Because he’s in my head. “I can’t kill
an unconscious man.” I shake my head, though whether it’s in protest at his

suggestion or a result of my confusion is up for debate.
“He would kill you if given the same chance.”