Page 301 - Fourth Wing

I look back over my shoulder and pin her with a glare.

Liam keeps his eyes forward.
“But the attack was orchestrated by a rider who fled before I arrived,”

Xaden continues, his voice rising. “A rider who had access to the map of

where all first-years are assigned to sleep, and that rider must be brought to
swift justice.”

Shit. This is about to get ugly.

“I call you to answer for your crime against Cadet Sorrengail.” Xaden’s
focus shifts to the center of the formation. “Wingleader Amber Mavis.”

The quadrant draws a collective breath before an uproar rips through the

crowd.
“What the hell?” Dain bites out.

My chest tightens. Gods, I hate it when Dain proves me right.
Rhiannon reaches for my hand, squeezing tight in support as every rider

in the courtyard’s attention pivots between Xaden, Amber…and me.

“She’s a Tyr, too, Nadine,” Ridoc says over his shoulder. “Or are you
only biased against marked ones?”

Amber’s family stayed loyal to Navarre, so she wasn’t forced to watch
her parents executed and wasn’t marked by a rebellion relic.

“Amber would never.” Dain shakes his head. “A wingleader would

never.” He turns completely to face me. “Get up there and tell everyone that
he’s lying, Vi.”

“But he’s not,” I say as gently as I can.

“It’s impossible.” His cheeks flush a mottled shade of red.
“I was there, Dain.” The reality of his disbelief hurts so much more than I

expected, like a blow to my already battered ribs.

“Wingleaders are beyond reproach—”
“Then why are you so quick to call our own wingleader a liar?” My

brows rise in challenge, daring him to say what he’s so careful to keep
quiet.