Page 533 - Fourth Wing

at me like I’m something that needs to be shoveled out of the horse stalls.

The sound of beating wings fills the air as a handful of dragon riders barrel
into the space around us. Imogen. Bodhi. A third-year with a scarred lip I

recognize. Liam. But no one is reaching for a weapon.

At least the odds are in our favor now. Power unfurls under my skin, and
I throw open that Archives door, letting energy rush over me in a torrent of

scalding heat. The sky crackles.

“No!” Xaden turns and hauls me against his chest, wrapping his arms
around me and pinning my arms to my sides.

“What are you doing?” I throw my weight against Xaden, but it’s no use.

He has me locked down tight.
A gust of wind hits my right side as Tairn lands.

“Holy shit, that one is huge,” the woman says. Around Xaden’s
immovable arm, I see the gryphon riders retreat with quick steps, their eyes

flying wide as they look up.

Xaden lifts one hand to cup the nape of my neck as I look up at him.
What the actual fuck is he doing? Kissing me before we die? “If you have

ever trusted me, Violet, I need you to do it now.” The plea in his eyes leaves
me stunned. Our enemies are feet away and he wants to…have a moment?

“Just stay here. Stay calm.” His eyes search mine for an answer to a

question I haven’t been asked. Then he passes me to Liam.
Passes me. Like I’m a damned rucksack.

Liam pins my arms to my sides with careful but unyielding strength. “I’m

sorry about this, Violet.”
Why the hell is everyone apologizing?

“Let. Me. Go,” I demand as Xaden strides toward the pair of gryphon

riders, Garrick at his side. Fear squeezes my heart like a vise that he thinks
he can take on the gryphons and their riders himself.

“I can’t do that,” Liam apologizes, his voice lowering. “I really wish I
could.”