Page 46 - Fourth Wing

Blue dragons descend from the extraordinary Gormfaileas line.

Known for their formidable size, they are the most ruthless,
especially in the case of the rare Blue Daggertail, whose knifelike
spikes at the tip of their tail can disembowel an enemy with one

flick.

—COLONEL KAORI’S FIELD GUIDE TO DRAGONKIND

CHAPTER

THREE

If Jack wants to kill me, he needs to get in line. Besides, I have a feeling
Xaden Riorson is going to beat him to it.

“Not today,” I respond to Jack, the hilt of my dagger solid in my hand,

and I somehow manage to suppress a shudder as he leans over and breathes
in. He’s scenting me like a fucking dog. Then he scoffs and walks off into

the crowd of celebrating cadets and riders that’s gathered in the sizable

courtyard of the citadel.
It’s still early, probably around nine, but already I see there aren’t as

many cadets as there were candidates ahead of me in line. Based on the
overwhelming presence of leather, both the second- and third-years are here

as well, taking stock of the new cadets.

The rain eases into a drizzle, as if it had only come to make the hardest
test of my life even harder…but I did it.

I’m alive.
I made it.

My body begins to tremble, and a throbbing pain erupts in my left knee—

the one I slammed on the parapet. I take a step, and it threatens to give out
on me. I need to bind it before anyone notices.