Flaming Hearts - Fourth Wing

Chapter 36

Ace and Xaden were walking towards the gym to meet Garrick and Bodhi for more Haki training, when Professor Grady steps into their way.

"Cadet Portgas, you are one difficult woman to find." Ace exchanges a quick glance with Xaden, before she looks at the professor with raised brows.

"I'm even more difficult to catch."

Professor Grady smiles, though it seems a tad annoyed.

"I'm well aware, cadet. You send quite a few infantry cadets into the healer's quadrant. We tried getting into you room a couple of times but ended up at the end of the hallway instead. I believe that is your doing, Riorson?"

Xaden nods once, a small smirk on his lips.

"Not that it would change anything, because you don't seem to be staying in your room anyways, am I correct?"

Ace tilts her head, narrowing her eyes.

"How is that of importance? Or any of your business?"

Professor Grady stares at her, annoyed. "It isn't."

Ace grins at him, grabbing Xaden's hand to pull him along.

"We'll be off to breakfast, then. See you later, Professor."

But before she can walk, the Professor tries to grab her, which she dodges, twirling around with a pointed look.

"I will have to ask you to come with me, cadet. We are starting the interrogation section of your RSC course, and since I can't seem to abduct you, I'll have to ask you to come with me."

He grinds his teeth, unhappy with this conversation, while Ace rocks a small smirk. Xaden looks at her, shaking his head, before he turns to her, pulling her into a quick kiss. He eyes Professor Grady with a hard look.

"She better come back alive, Professor."

He reaches out her through their bond.

"You'll easily nail this, Freckles. Don't break."

"I agree with the wingleader, give them hell little flame."

xx

Ace has been sitting inside an old cell in some cave for a while now. Bored out of her mind. She has been hanging after her thoughts, when the door opens and Professor Grady steps in, the rest of their squad being guided by infantry cadets, with paper bags over their heads. When all of them were freed from their bags, they look around confused.

"How come she wasn't brought here with us? They got you first, Portgas?" Aetos asks with furrowed brows, but Ace only smirks in answer.

"They certainly tried that way."

"I asked her to come here with me before we set out to find you. This one is difficult to find and even worse to catch, this was the only way." Professor Grady says, gesturing the others to sit down next to Ace on the chairs.

Imogen and Quinn make eye contact with Ace when they sit down beside each other, while Aetos and Chianna sit down across from the three girls. Professor Grady stands in front of them, gesturing to the food he just placed in front of them.

"Eat, you all missed breakfast and lunch."

Ace looks at him, tilting her head with a small smirk.

"You think I'd eat or drink anything you offer us on these missions?"

Professor Grady shakes his head with a small smile. "No, you're too smart for that, I guess. Some of the other squad's weren't, so I thought I'd try my luck."