Page 61 - Fourth Wing

staring.

We’re silent as the rest of the wings are called. The sun is out in full now,
beating into my leathers and scorching my skin. I told him not to keep you

in that library. Mom’s words from this morning haunt me, but it’s not like I

could have prepared for this. I have exactly two shades when it comes to the
sun, pale and burned.

When the order sounds, we all turn to face the dais. I try to keep my gaze

on the roll-keeper, but my eyes jerk right like the traitors they are, and my
pulse leaps.

Xaden watches me with a cold, calculating look that feels like he’s

plotting my death from where he stands as the wingleader for Fourth Wing.
I lift my chin.

He cocks his scarred eyebrow. Then he says something to Second Wing’s
wingleader, and then every wingleader joins in on what’s obviously a

heated discussion.

“What do you think they’re talking about?” Rhiannon whispers.
“Quiet,” Dain hisses.

My spine stiffens. I can’t expect him to be my Dain here, not under these
circumstances, but still, the tone is jarring.

Finally, the wingleaders turn around to face us, and the slight tilt to

Xaden’s lips makes me instantly queasy.
“Dain Aetos, you and your squad will switch with Aura Beinhaven’s,”

Nyra orders.

Wait. What? Who is Aura Beinhaven?
Dain nods, then turns to us. “Follow me.” He says it once, then strides

through formation, leaving us to scurry after him. We pass another squad on

the way from…from…
The very breath freezes in my lungs.

We’re moving to Fourth Wing. Xaden’s wing.
It takes a minute, maybe two, and we take our place in the new formation.