Page 448 - Fourth Wing

“You just want her to be like you,” Dain argues. “A cold-blooded killer.

Soon you’ll be telling her that it’s all right, you get used to the killing.”
I inhale a sharp breath.

Xaden nails him with a glare. “The blood in my veins is as warm as

yours, Aetos, and if it’s my job you want next year, then you’d better start
understanding that you never get used to killing, but you do understand that

it’s necessary.” He turns back to me, his dark gaze boring into mine. “This

isn’t primary school. This is war—and you heard me say it once before, but
the ugly truth those not on the front lines choose to forget is there are

always body bags in war.”

I start to shake my head, but his eyes narrow on mine. “You might not
like it, might even loathe it, but it’s power like yours that saves lives.”

“By killing people?” I cry. If Sgaeyl is right, and signets reflect who we
are at our core, then I’m exactly as Xaden nicknamed me…Violence.

“By defeating invading armies before they get the chance to hurt

civilians. You want to keep Rhiannon’s nephew alive in that little border
village? This is how. You want to keep Mira alive when she’s behind enemy

lines? This. Is. How. You are not just a weapon, Sorrengail. You are the
weapon. You train this ability, own it, and you’ll have the power to defend

an entire kingdom.” He smooths back more wind-loosened tendrils of my

hair behind my ears, clearing my vision so I have no excuse but to see the
honesty in his eyes. When he’s sure I’m not going to argue further, he looks

to his side. “Rhiannon, can you get her back to the citadel?”

“Absolutely.” Rhiannon hustles over.
Dain scoffs and walks toward the other squad leaders, leaving us.

“The saddle—” I start.

“Tairn can get it off himself. It was one of his many design stipulations.”
Xaden turns to leave but pauses. “Thank you for saving Liam. He’s

important to me.”
“You don’t have to thank…” I sigh at his back. “And he’s already gone.”