Page 372 - Fourth Wing

“Gee, thanks.” I fold my arms across my chest. Bet I can shield better

than all of them combined.
“But Rhiannon’s skills more than make up for that,” Cianna continues.

“And we all know Liam and Heaton are both going to decimate on the mat

for the challenge competition. That only leaves flight maneuvers and
whatever task the wingleaders come up with to judge this year.”

“Oh, is that all? Man, I thought it was going to be hard.” The sarcasm

rolling off Ridoc is thick enough to earn him a glare from Dain.
“We’re down to ten of you,” Dain says, glancing over our group. “Twelve

of us in total, which puts us at a slight disadvantage against a couple other

squads, but I think we’ll manage.”
We lost two of the new additions last week when the smaller one’s signet

manifested in Battle Brief and they both froze to death in seconds, nearly
taking out Ridoc with the exposure, too. He was treated for frostbite but

didn’t have any permanent damage. Now Nadine and Liam are the only

ones left from the batch we acquired after Threshing.
“But in order to manage, I need you guys to get to class.” He lifts his

brows at me. “Especially you. A signet would be great, you know. If you
can maybe make that happen.” It’s as if he can’t decide how to treat me

lately, as the first-year who’s struggling but still here or the girl he grew up

with.
I hate how unsettled everything feels between us, all wrongly sticky, like

putting on clothes before you can dry after a bath, but it’s still Dain. At least

he’s finally being supportive.
“She’s going to miss Carr’s class today,” Xaden interrupts, appearing

behind Sawyer, who hurries to clear a path.

“No I’m not.” I shake my head and ignore the quick jump of my pulse at
the sight of him.

“She needs to go,” Dain argues, then grits his teeth. “I mean, unless the
wing has more pressing matters for Cadet Sorrengail, her time is best spent