Page 60 - Fourth Wing

the First Wing. Section leaders and squad leaders, take your positions now.”

My shoulder is jostled as someone walks by, pushing between Rhiannon
and me. Others follow suit until there are about fifty people in front of us,

spaced out in formation.

“Sections and squads,” I whisper to Rhiannon, in case she didn’t grow up
in a military family. “Three squads in each section and three sections in

each of the four wings.”

“Thank you,” Rhiannon answers.
Dain stands in the section for Second Wing, facing me but averting his

eyes.

“First Squad! Claw Section! First Wing!” Nyra calls out.
A man closer to the dais raises his hand.

“Cadets, when your name is called, take up formation behind your squad
leader,” Nyra instructs.

The redhead with the crossbow and roll steps forward and begins calling

names. One by one, cadets move from the crowd to the formation, and I
keep count, making snap judgments based off clothing and arrogance. It

looks like each squad will have about fifteen or sixteen people in it.
Jack is called into the Flame Section of First Wing.

Tara is called into the Tail Section, and soon they start on Second Wing.

I let loose a thankful sigh when the wingleader steps forward and it isn’t
Xaden.

Rhiannon and I are both called to Second Squad, Flame Section, Second

Wing. We get into formation quickly, lining up in a square. A quick glance
tells me that we have a squad leader—Dain, who isn’t looking at me—a

female executive squad leader, four riders who look like they might be

second- or third-years, and nine first-years. One of the riders with two stars
on her uniform and half-shaved, half-pink hair has a rebellion relic that

winds around her forearm, from her wrist to above her elbow, where it
disappears under her uniform, but I look away so she won’t catch me