WHOS AFRAID OF LITTLE OLD ME, fourth wing

chapter five

CHAPTER FIVE

Seren was once again, waiting for Violet to be done talking with their childhood friend.

"Finally. Lets go." Seren says as soon as she sees Violet walking out from behind a pillar and towards her.

"Dain says he'll see us in the sparing gym." Violet informs as they start walking.

"Just keep your 'fuck me' eyes, away from me ." Seren muttered.

"I don't have 'fuck me' eyes." Violet argued back, her cheeks flushing in embarrassment.

Seren laughed lightly as they crossed the center of the rotunda, about to make another comment before she felt someone's burning gaze. She came to a stop and pulled Violet with her, her friend sent her a questioning look before seeing where her eyes were drawn.

Upward, toward the top of the steps that lead to the gathering hall. Xaden Riorson is watching them with narrowed eyes, the sleeves of his uniform rolled up his massive arms that remain folded across his chest, the warning in his relic-covered arm on full display as a third-year next to him says something that he blatantly ignores.

"Seriously?"

Violet tenses beside her, probably wondering if this was the moment he decided he was going to kill them.

His gaze went to Violet once before again landing on her. Tilting his head, he studies Seren with those impossibly dark eyes, like he's deciding where she's most vulnerable.

And it's probably been far too obvious by now that Violet is her most vulnerable spot. Not because she couldn't protect herself, because Seren knew more than anyone that she could. But because she'd take anything aimed at Violet without hesitation. She was her best friend. It goes without saying she'd stay by her through anything and do everything she could to keep her safe —and alive, she hadn't been trying to hide that.

His attention shifts over her shoulder, and he lifts a single brow. Seren glances back to see Dain emerge from behind the pillar.

"What are you—" Dain starts as he reaches the two, his expression painted in confusion.

"Top of the steps. Fourth door." The Elysian hissed out. His gaze snaps up as the crowd around them thined out, he muttered a curse before not-so-subtly moving closer to the two women.

"I already knew your parents are tight," Xaden calls out, a cruel smile tilting his lips. "But do you have to be so fucking obvious?" he glances between the three.

The few cadets still around turn to look at them.
"Let me guess?"Xaden continues as he glances between Dain and Seren. "Childhood friends? First loves, even?"

The mocking tone in his voice already had her temper spiking. Seren would have cringed in absolute disgust if she weren't in defence mode. She kept her expression cold but her eyes glinted with a death promise. Did she think she could take down a third year? Yes. Could she?...

"He can't hurt you without cause, right?" Violet whispers to Dain. "Without cause and calling a quorum of wingleaders because you're a squad leader. Article Four, Section Three."

"Correct," Dain answers, not bothering to lower his voice. "But you two are not."

"I expected you to do a better job of hiding where your affections lie, Aetos." Xaden moves, walking down the steps. Okay, he was doing this.