The Empyrean | Fourth Wing |

Chapter 22

Garrick POV

Everyone except the lovebirds are in the hall. From what I can see through the window, we should maybe start with them.

I look at Bodhi and Imogen. The decision is made. We start without them.
I look at the newcomers, open my arms and say

"Welcome to the rebellion. You must be hungry. Let's go to the kitchen, you must be hungry. Don't worry about your dragons they will be cared for.
You can leave your stuff here, for now. Sloane you have a choice either you take your stuff up now or let the staff do it."
"I am staying"
"Okay, then. Follow me then, let's go eat"

I take everyone to the kitchen using the long way of course because of the newcomers. The short way is too close to the base of operations. When we finally arrive, Raisa and the cooks have already prepared varieties of foods. We all choose what we want and go sit down.
Everyone is nicely intergrated except of the Violet's friends makes sense, I guess. They don't seem to know anything and Xaden, Brennan and I amongst others are supposingly dead.
As much as I like Xaden and Violet rekindling, they need to make a decision about those two before it's too late.

I walk up to them and pass them a plate
"What do you guys fancy? We have many varieties, we won't poison you, don't worry and Raisa will be offended if you don't eat me. Trust me, you don't want to be on her bad side."

The girl laughs, takes the plates while the boy is still unsure. I do feel bad for them. They are so ignorant and lost.
"My name is Garrick, I was Squad Leader last year. I will be franck with you. You probably don't trust me and I sure as hell don't trust you. But Violet is our general and she trusts you so I will try to make the transition as smooth as possible until the lovebirds explain everything to you in detail, okay?" They nod and walk up to the food.

I pick up my own food and sit next to Imogen. I am so relieved that she's back. I hide it but I was really worried. I always cared for her. I hate to lose her before we even try. She looks at me, then snaps back to her food while leaning a little on me. I smirk and continue to eat my food.

Around 40mn after, they come back. Finally, the tension is starting to build in the room. Bodhi and I tried to cut it but it keeps building: our side vs the 2 newcomers.
They are holding hands but let go when everyone stares at them like it woke them from a beautiful dream. They nod at each other and part: Xaden walks towards with a smile plastered on his face and Violet to the newcomers also with a plastered smile while she takes her friends outside

"Please, could you be a little more discreet?" I retort happy for him but a little jealous.
"I don't see what the problem. And before any of you say anything, we didn't do anything"
Bodhi, Imogen and I laugh wholeheartedly while Brennan scowls
"You hurt my sister again and I will poison you with untraceable, uncurable poison, got it?"
Xaden pauses a little scared, don't tell him I had that, nods. Then we just talk until Violet pulls Xaden into a conversation. I can see that his expression went from fearful to wicked. What is going on? What are they planning?

Violet POV (same time as Xaden talks to his friends)

I walk to Rhi and Ridoc who are sitting in a corner eating food death glaring everyone. This is going to harder than I anticipated.

Rhi jumps from her seat and runs towards me.
"Violet, are you okay? Did he hurt? What is going on? Why are you smiling like that?"

"How about we go outside where it's quieter?"
I take them out of the kitchen towards Xaden's study as I start talking to them
"Remember when we left Basgiath, I told you that I didn't want to leave you guys behind when everything blows, that you have to trust unconditionnally. Well, this is it.
I am going to answer every question you have then you will have until the end of the day to make your decision to either join or... never mind that now. Where do you want me to start?"
"How about with? Where are we? How are dead people alive? And with what rebellion?" says Ridoc angrily
"Okay, remember what I am about to tell will be a shock but you can't tell anyone. I also want you to let me finish. They is a lot and I don't want to forget everything. Understand?" They both nod and I start...