Fire Breather

60.

OVER the next few days, Ridoc had been by my side while Aaric had seemed to be around more—or maybe he always was, and I just never realized until now. But at least he hadn't shown up at my door again or lied his way into my room.

"I'm just saying that spending every weekend flying for Samara or holed up in your room with Riorson isn't good for you," Ridoc said to Violet as we climbed the staircase of the academic wing for Battle Brief.

"As opposed to..." Violet glanced over at him and winced.

While I was able to heal Ridoc's split cheek, it was still black and blue.

During interrogation, we lost a first-year, Trysten, to Gauntlet practice and missed the formation where they called his name on the death roll. So far, he was the only first-year we lost during our absence, thankfully.

"Being a normal second-year and spending some time blowing off a little steam every now and then," Sawyer answered for Ridoc from Violet's side. "I'm pretty sure I even saw a certain first-year leaving Blade's room the other night."

"You what?" I exclaimed, coming to a sudden halt. "No, you didn't. There was no first-year in my room," I lied, quickly continuing my walk as they all sent me knowing looks. If Aaric was around right now, I would've kicked him in the balls. "If any of you bring up anything, I will melt all your brains."

That made the lot of them pale, sharing nervous looks.

Well, expect Violet who only smirked. "You would never kill me and risk your brother's life," she taunted me while I rolled my eyes in annoyance. "And anyway, I'm fine," she continued on from before Sawyer exposed my ass. "This is just what happens when mated dragons bond to riders in different years."

"Don't remind me," I whispered, holding the strap of my bag tighter. In twenty-four hours from now, I would be on my way to Samara where I would be ignoring Garrick like last time.

"It's why they usually don't do it," Ridoc muttered.

"First Squad lost someone," Rhiannon said, coming up behind us as we reached the second floor. "They just came out of interrogation about an hour ago. Sorrel's name will be on the death roll tomorrow."

"Oh great," I sarcastically mumbled. "That's two second-years dead from the interrogation assessment."

At that, Ridoc walked even closer to my side.

"The girl with the kick-ass bow skills?" Sawyer gaped at Rhiannon as she scooted between him and Violet.

"Yeah," she quietly said.

"Did she break?" Ridoc asked. "Or did they break her?"

"I don't—" Rhiannon's words stopped short as we did when two First Wing squads moved off the wall and into our path. "Can we help you?"

With no warning, a blood whip formed in my hand, making the second-years take a step back at the clear warning. "Start trouble and I'll be adding your blood to my weapons."

"No trouble. You guys escaped, right?" Caroline asked, lowering her voice. "That's what people are saying about the new patch." She tapped beside her own shoulder, where we now wore a circular, silver patch with a black key.

"It's a classified patch," Sawyer said.

"We just want to know how you did it," Caroline whispered. "Rumor is, it took them an entire day to reset the interrogation room after you guys."

"All we can tell you is the same advice you've already been given. Don't break," Rhiannon told them.

"Stick together," Violet added.