Flaming Hearts - Fourth Wing

Chapter 4

The girls, and Sawyer, were standing in the Gym, watching Ridoc and Aurelie circle each other. They were both about the same height, slightly taller than Ace.

"You seriously knew every answer I history and apparently every right question to ask in Battle Brief, you're not even going to have study for tests, are you?" Rhiannon questions Violet, who shrugs. "I was trained to be a scribe."

Ace let's her gaze wander around the room, watching the cadets fight. She saw Jack Barlowe standing with his group of goons, some of them talking to him, though he doesn't seem to be listening. His eyes are focused on Ace.

She smirks at him, wiggling her fingers in a mocking wave. Violet pushes her hand down, turning towards the raven-haired girl.

"Please don't provoke him. He's already scary enough as it is." Ace looks into Vi's eyes, tilting her head. She doesn't think he's scary whatsoever. She has lived a vastly different life to Violet though.

Rolling her eyes, Ace said: "Don't worry Vi, I won't let him close to you. If he tries anything, he'll have me to deal with."

And she meant it. That fucker should pick on someone his own size.

"Thank you, really. But please don't make him madder, if that's possible?" Vi asks Ace.

"Look, I'm going to be honest with you. I can try, but I'm not promising shit." Rhiannon laughs light, and Sawyer snorts. "Fair enough."

Rhiannon returns to their conversation: "So, I guess that means you're not worries about academics."

"I'm worried about this." Violet gestures towards the mat, where Ridoc and Aurelie are still circling each other. "Stop dancing and attack!" barks Professor Emetterio. Rhi look at her sceptical.

"Really? I figured as a Sorrengail, you'd be a hand-to-hand threat." Violet just shakes her head.

Ridoc launches towards Aurelie, but she ducks, sweeping out her leg and tripping him. He staggers but doesn't go down. He pivots quickly, palming a dagger in his hand.

"No blades today! We're just assessing!" yells Professor Emetterio. Ridoc grumbles and sheathes his knife just in time to deflect a right hook from Aurelie.

The watch the two fight for a couple minutes, seeing Aurelie pack another punch.

"I mean... damn, I'm pretty good on the mat. My village is on the Cygnisen border, so we all learned to defend ourselves fairly young. Though I am not as good as Ace, she wiped the floor with me a couple times." Ace snorts at this, a grin covering her face. "Physics and Maths are fine as well. But History? That subject might be the death of me." Rhiannon continues. Ace hums in agreement.

Ace glanced around the room again, bored with the school talk. She finds her wing leader and the two others from earlier standing, silently talking. From what Violet told her, the younger clone of Xaden is called Bodhi Durran, a second-year and Xaden's cousin. The other one is names Garrick Tavis, third-year and their section leader, who seems to be close with both of the cousins. Why are they all that handsome? That just doesn't seem fair.

As if he's sensing her, Xaden looks up and meets her eyes. Rhiannon taps her shoulder, making Ace turn to them again.

"Were making a deal! We..." she points to Sawyer, Ace and herself "help Violet with combat training and fighting. In Exchange, she will help us with history."

Ace nods, with a grin. "Sound like you got yourself a lot of work, Vi."

"No, I feel like I'm getting the better end of that." Both Ace and Rhi laugh.