Chapter no 49
CHAPTER FORTY-NINE “I feel like you’re the only one who isn’t surprised,” Imogen says as we stand in the courtyard after formation the next morning. “We’re the strongest squad. They’re the strongest drift. I don’t know how the rest of you are surprised.” I shrug, glancing over at Cat’s drift, who all seem to be […]
Chapter no 48
CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT “T he things she said…” I clench my aching fists and notice I’ve busted the skin across my knuckles. “I know.” His gaze rakes over me in a look I know all too well— assessing me for injuries. “She said I’m just a convenient placeholder for you to fuck.” “I heard. How hurt […]
Chapter no 47
CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN S o much for thinking I have the advantage. Her eyes flare, like she’s come to the same conclusion as we circle each other, and then they narrow in a way that makes my stomach clench. Devera may have set the rules, but something tells me Cat is about to break them. “Does […]
Chapter no 46
CHAPTER FORTY-SIX “R unes?” Xaden asks a few days later, leaning over my shoulder as I sit at the desk in his room, practicing today’s assignment, a triangular piece of torture that’s supposed to somehow boost hearing. He picks up one of my five discarded attempts, burned into hand-size wooden disks, and I breathe deeply, […]
Chapter no 45
CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE “C oralee Ryle. Nicholai Panya,” a newly pinned Major Devera calls out over the frost-covered courtyard, reading from what’s become the new death roll. For the first time since entering the quadrant, the names called every morning for the last week haven’t been cadets, but active riders —and fliers—on the front lines, fighting […]
Chapter no 44
CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR B ooted feet scurry toward me from both directions, and Sloane grabs hold of Ridoc as Dain hits his knees beside me, then lunges forward, reaching for Luella at the same moment Cibbe does. I rip my gaze from Ridoc’s and focus on Luella’s hazel eyes as she slips down my limp fingers. […]
Chapter no 43
CHAPTER FORTY-THREE M y neck aches as I stare up, and up, and up the Cliffs of Dralor to where they disappear into a thick layer of cloud cover. It’s been four days since we struck the deal with Tecarus. Three nights ago, we delivered the luminary—a ring nearly as tall as Sgaeyl of vibrant […]
Chapter no 42
CHAPTER FORTY-TWO “I s that…” Mira whispers, already palming her daggers as the dark wielder digs his hands into the soft green grass of the arena floor, laughing maniacally. Breathe. I have to breathe. But there’s no air. Purple robes billowing. Soleil charging forward, Fuil running behind her. The spread of death and decay reaching […]
Chapter no 41
CHAPTER FORTY-ONE “W here you left me?” I whisper under my breath at Xaden as we walk across the guarded lawn, passing by a half dozen more fliers on our way to a row of open doors made entirely of glass. How utterly impractical and sublimely gorgeous. “Like I’m some kind of pet who should […]
Chapter no 40
CHAPTER FORTY X aden vetoed my second pitch to head to Cordyn like an overprotective asshole, and then I happily took him to bed, content with my own plans. He was gone again to look for more Navarrian deserters before I woke up this morning. If I didn’t feel him in my swollen lips and […]