Wild and Out of Control

|chapter sixteen|

"Accusing a Wingleader of wrongdoing is the most dangerous of all accusations. If you're right, then we've failed as a Quadrant to select the best Wingleaders If you're wrong, you're dead."

- MY TIME AS A CADET: A MEMOIR BY GENERAL AUGUSTINE MELGREN

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|danica|

"Oren Seifret." Captain Fitzgibbons finishes reading the death rool and closes the scroll as we stand in formation the next morning. "We commend their souls to Malek."

     The fuck I will. I have no room in me to pity their deaths, not when they tried to kill me in my sleep. They were fucking cowards. And fucking jackasses for thinking I'm a weak link when I haven't lost any challenges so far, and even won one against Riorson—though I wasn't oblivious to the fact that he let me win because when it came down to it, I wouldn't be able to beat him in hand-to-hand on a given day.

     I shift my weight, trying to soothe the tension and ache in my bruised ribs, and ignoring the way other riders stare at the necklace of bruises I wear around my throat. They can stare all they want. They'll learn exactly who did this to me if I had any say about it. They deserved to know the truth.

     "I can't believe they tried to kill you while you were sleeping," Violet whispered from her spot beside me. She hasn't left me since I told her over breakfast. After I had woken up the second time and relieved Imogen of her patrolling duties, I went straight to Violet, not believing she was alright without seeing for myself.

     No one else knows about what happened last night, and I wonder if Riorson wants to keep this a secret. It would make sense. He wouldn't want anyone to know that I'm open to kill.

     Fitzgibbons says some other announcements, but I tune them out as someone strides our way, cutting through the space between our wing's Flame and Tail sections. Great. Just thinking about him will summon the devil himself. 

     He locks gazes with mine just enough to quicken my pulse before he addresses Dain, ignoring Fitzgibbon's announcements behind him. "There's a change to your Squad roll."

     "Wingleader?" Dain questions, his spine straightening as if trying to feign more height. He could tiptoe and he still wouldn't be even with Riorson. "We just absorbed four from the dissolution of the Third Squad."

     "Yes," Riorson says, annoyance creeping in the edges. He looks right, where Second Squad, Tail Section stands at attention. "Belden, we're making a roll change."

     "Yes, sir." The Squad leader nods once. That's how you answer your superior, not questioning them like Dain.

     "Aetos, Vaughn Penley will be leaving your command, and you'll be gaining Liam Mairi from Tail Section."

     Dain's mouth snaps shut and he nods.

     What? No. Liam's being moved into my Squad? Why?

     We all watch as the two First-year riders exchange places. Penley's only been with us since Threshing, so there's no heartfelt goodbye from our original Squad, but the other three grumble. Liam nods at Riorson, and that's all I need to know that Riorson has placed Liam into my Squad to protect me. 

     He smiles my way but I don't return the favor, instead turning toward Riorson. "I do not need a bodyguard," I snap at him. Am I out of line speaking to a Wingleader that way? Absolutely. Do I give a fuck? Not one bit.

     He ignores me, facing Dain. "Liam is statistically the strongest First-year in the Quadrant. He has the second fastest time up the Gauntlet, hasn't lost a single challenge, and is bonded to an exceptionally strong Red Daggertail." That sounds like me, except I have the faster time up the Gauntlet and am bonded to the strongest dragon on the whole Continent. "Any Squad would be lucky to have him, and he's all yours, Aetos. You can thank me when you win the Squad battle in the spring."