Flaming Hearts - Fourth Wing

Chapter 22

All wings were standing in formation, outside in the courtyard, facing the dais. The names were being called, like every morning. Ace met up with the squad for breakfast. Rhiannon is still seething. Ace was standing next to Imogen, in front of Violet.

"I still can't believe they tried to kill you while you were sleeping." Rhiannon mutters.

"Even worse, I think I'm getting used to it." Violet retorts.

Ace can see Xaden striding towards their squad, Liam trailing after him. Their eyes lock for just a second, before Xaden looks at Aetos.

"There's a change to your squad roll."

"Wingleader?" Aetos questions. "We just absorbed four from the dissolution of third squad."

"Yes." Xaden turns his head towards Second Squad Tail Section. "Belden, we're making a roll change." The squad leader nods in response.

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

As soon as Liam comes to stand between Violet and Rhiannon, who are eyeing him, Ace turn around with a grin.

"Violet, meet Liam. Liam, meet Vi. You'll get along great, I'm sure."

Violets gaze swaps between Xaden and Ace, her eyebrows furrowed.

"I don't need a bodyguard." She addresses Xaden, who turns towards Aetos.

"Liam is statistically the strongest first-year in the quadrant, now that Ace was promoted. He hasn't lost a single challenge and is bonded to an exceptionally strong Red Daggertail. 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 spring."

Violet speaks up again. "I do not need a Bodyguard."

Ace smirks a little, shaking her head while Imogen snorts. "Good luck with that approach."

"You do, though, as we learned last night. And Ace can't be everywhere you are. But Liam here is a first-year, so he can be at every class, at every challenge, and I even had him assigned to library duty, so I do hope you get used to him, Sorrengail. I can't have Ace risking both our lives- " He side-eyes Ace, who's still smirking. "- because you can't defend yourself properly."

"He's not sleeping in my room."

Xaden smirks at that, exchanging a look with Liam.

"Of course not, I had him moved into the room next to yours. Though, that is crossing Ace's plan for your epic romance." Rhiannon, Imogen and Quinn snorts while Ace pouts. Violet gapes at the girl, while Liam shakes his head with a small smirk.

Xaden turns on his heel and walks back to the front of the formation. Commandant Panchek steps towards the podium, which was unusual.

"What's going on with Panchek?" Rhiannon asks and Violet answers. "Not sure."

"It has to be something big if he's fumbling with the codex up there." Rhiannon continues, earning a hissed "Quiet" from Aetos.

Ace knew what this is about. Xaden briefed her just before they all stepped into formation, but she keeps her mouth shut.

A small discussion about last night's events breaks out between Aetos and Violet, Rhiannon and Ridoc joining shortly after. They all quiet down when Xaden steps into the dais, getting straight towards the podium.

"Early this morning, a rider from my wing was brutally, illegally attacked in her sleep wit the intent of murder by a group primarily composed of unbonded."