Flaming Hearts - Fourth Wing

Chapter 26

Ace was on her way towards the cafeteria, just about to pass two crossing hallways, when her observation Haki tingles. Immediately, she has her guard up, masking her aura and letting her observation Haki spread. She can feel Professor Grady standing around the corner, with Imogen, Quinn, Aetos, Chianna and a few others behind him. Ace raises her brows, walking around the corner, dodging the arms reaching for her. She turns to punch the one coming behind her, trying to grab her from there. Professor Grady chuckles.

"You're one difficult person to catch, did you know that?"

Ace looks at him with raised brows, blinking a few times, before she smiles mockingly.

"You haven't caught me yet, Professor." She dodges another set of arms that are trying to get her. Imogen and Quinn are watching the whole scenario, amused, while Aetos looks annoyed.

"I'm well aware, cadet Portgas. However, we're leaving for a mission regarding RSC. So, I'm going to have to ask you to come with us willingly. Because I can't have all of third-year infantry in the healer's quadrant."

Ace and her two friends snort, earning glares from said third-year infantry. She rolls her eyes, holding her arms up in surrender.

"Okay, fine."

xx

Ace wakes up with a jolt, blinking because of the bright light, holding up her hand to shield her eyes. She can hear the rest of her squad next to her, waking up as well. All of them sit up, looking around.

"They're up." A woman dressed in dark blue says, walking over towards Professor Grady.

They drugged us. Those fuckers.

"Yes, they did, little flame. The wingleader was quite furious when he couldn't reach you."

I can imagine, the control freak.

"Sorry for the abrupt change of scenery. Hydrate." He motions to their drinking skins, but Ace is sceptical. The whole thing seems fishy.

"After they drugged us? Fat chance." She mutters to her fellow second-years.

"You're smart, little flame."

Professor Grady and the woman next to him eye the second-years from fourth wing, who all refuse to drink. Even Aetos and Chianna.

"Aren't you thirsty?"

"No, thank you, Professor." Ace said bluntly. They were together with three riders from Third wing, eight people dressed in blue, infantry, two healer and one scribe. Professor is still staring at the riders from fourth wing who refuse to drink.

The woman from infantry, a professor probably, is striding to the girls, coming to stand in front of Ace.

"Drink, cadet." Ace stares her down, her glare icy.

"You think after you drugged us that we will drink anything you offer?"

"It's an order, cadet." Ace snorts, stepping towards the professor.

"Make me." Ace steps towards the professor, but Professor Grady steps towards them.

"Please drink, cadet Portgas."

"What's mixed into the water?" She asks, her head tilted to the side, a small smirk on her lips.

"An herb that temporarily blocks out your dragons, to make it harder for you to find your goal."

"Grady, why did you tell them?!" The woman shouts, shoving the Professor.

"Because they won't drink it otherwise. They're too smart for that, as you can tell. And I'd rather not have anyone else in the Healer-Quadrant. Getting them here was hard enough."