Page 573 - Fourth Wing

Locked in battle only a few feet away, their talons shred through the

scales of the other amid snapping teeth—and Deigh’s catastrophic roars of
pain. They’re too close for me to act, and there’s no guarantee I’ll hit the

wyvern and not Deigh with my lightning.

There’s nothing I can do but secure Liam.
Grabbing the lap belt I never use, I wind it around Liam’s torso and

buckle it. “That should hold you until we can get you back to Deigh, but I

can’t wield without hitting him!” I yell as wind whips around us.
The agony in his eyes steals my breath.

“Why did you do that?” I cry, my fingers searching for purchase on his

leathers to pull him closer. I settle for the back of his collar and yank. “Why
would you risk it?” Gods, if anything happens to them…

His gaze collides with mine. “That thing was going to take a chunk out of
Tairn. You’ve saved my life and now it’s my turn. No matter what you think

of me for keeping secrets, we’re friends, Violet.”

Response is impossible as Tairn rolls again, lifting Liam’s entire body,
and the leather belt slips to just under his arms. I fist my hands in the back

of his flight leathers, but there’s not much to grab on to. Heartbeats pass and
I can’t breathe, can’t think past the desperation to keep Liam safe, until

Tairn levels out again, trying to stay as close as he can to Deigh without

risking any of us in the process.
But then Deigh’s scream slices me to the bone as the two lock into a dive.

“Can’t you do something?” I beg Tairn.

“Working on it!” He pitches right and plummets, positioning himself
around the downward-spiraling duel to strike. It should be us fighting for

our lives, not Liam and Deigh.

And gods, Deigh is losing, which means Liam—
My throat constricts. No. Not going to happen.

“Get over here!” I shout at Xaden. Energy crackles through my hands,
but there’s no clear target. They’re moving too fast.