Page 50 - Fourth Wing

and right for his inspection. “That’s all? You’re sure?” His hands run down

my sides and pause at my ribs. “Are you wearing daggers?”
Rhiannon takes my boot off and sighs in relief, wiggling her toes.

I nod. “Three at my ribs and one in my boot.” Thank gods, or I’m not

sure I’d be sitting here right now.
“Huh.” He drops his hands and looks at me like he’s never seen me

before, like I’m a complete stranger, but then he blinks and it’s gone. “Get

your boots switched. You two look ridiculous. Vi, do you trust this one?”
He nods toward Rhiannon.

She could have waited for me at the security of the citadel walls and

thrown me off just like Jack tried to do, but she didn’t.
I nod. I trust her as much as anyone can trust another first-year around

here.
“All right.” He stands and turns toward her. There are sheaths at the sides

of his leathers, too, but there are daggers in each of them, where mine are

still empty. “I’m Dain Aetos, and I’m the leader for Second Squad, Flame
Section, Second Wing.”

Squad leader? My brows jump. The highest ranks among the cadets in the
quadrant are wingleader and section leader. Both positions are held by elite

third-years. Second-years can rise to squad leaders, but only if they’re

exceptional. Everyone else is simply a cadet before Threshing—when the
dragons choose who they will bond—and a rider after. People die too often

around here to hand out ranks prematurely.

“Parapet should be over in the next couple of hours, depending on how
fast the candidates cross or fall. Go find the redhead with the roll—she’s

usually carrying a crossbow—and tell her that Dain Aetos put both you and

Violet Sorrengail into his squad. If she questions you, tell her she owes me
from saving her ass at Threshing last year. I’ll bring Violet back to the

courtyard shortly.”
Rhiannon glances at me, and I nod.