Page 68 of Feathers of Ash and Hope

I release a breath, which earns me a glare from Vega.

I’m allowed to be glad about Mariel being okay, aren’t I? Yes, it’s shit that Gorgon died, but I did what I could when I warned him.

“And Gorgon Foley dead,” Vega cuts in. “Everyone knows Night Ravens don’t break off an attack, and I heard this one”—Vega nods in my direction—“had a feud with Gorgon going.”

“I did not,” I protest. “I even told him he had to jump, or it wouldn’t end well for him.”

“He tells the truth,” Tate tells Vega when the man doesn’t look convinced. That seems to do it because his glare toward me softens.

“I watched Summer jump onto the back of another Strix to save one of the runners of his flight. I think that alone speaks for his character,” Sanders adds. “However, Legatus Janus decided that it would be best for Summer to experience reality as a rider to drive the importance of obedience home.”

“You mean to tell us Summer will join us for training, right?” Tate asks sharply.

Sanders looks uncomfortable at that but meets my eyes when he says. “I’m afraid not. He wants you to join one of the active flights for… everything.” The way he says it makes it clear he doesn’t agree with that decision.

“What?” Tate calls out. “Since when do we use runners as target practice for our enemies?”

“Excuse me?” I turn to him.

Is he calling me useless here?

“I can hold my own with a sword.” I challenge him with a glare, but Tate simply waves me off. My face heats in anger.

Oh no, I don’t fucking think so.

“He is as good as dead out there,” Vega declares.

Are they being serious right now?

Vega sees my look and adds, “No offense, kid, but Foley is Janus’s right hand, and this is nothing but a veiled execution.”

That does kill my indignation.

I look at Sanders, but he doesn’t meet my gaze, so I guess Vega is right on the money.

Shit. They don’t expect me to get back from this?

“We’ll see about that,” Tate grumbles. “Summer is in my division and under my protection.” He looks at Sanders and Vega like he expects one of them to contradict him.

“That won’t win you any favors,” Sanders says.

Are we still talking about me joining Tate’s flight here?

“It really doesn’t matter at this point.” Tate shrugs.

“Well, then Summer is with Kyronos.” Sanders nods and looks at Vega.

Vega nods. “If he came with us, he would be dead after the first night.” He looks at me. “Gorgon was one of us and had a lot of friends, but you don’t seem as bad as I expected.”Is that supposed to be a compliment?“So yeah, I think that is the best.”

“Well then…” Sanders claps his hands together and turns to me. “You are, until further notice, under Centurion Kyronos's and Squadron Leader Tanner’s command. You are expected to attend class whenever you are free and to make up anything you missed during your free time as well. Other than that, you will be part of the first squadron for the time being and train, eat, and fight with them.”

“But I don’t have a bird.” I point out the obvious.

“Yes, I’m aware of that. That is why Kyronos will assign you a partner for patrols.”

It seems like I will be seeing a lot more of Tate Kyronos in the coming weeks, and that while needing to stay focused so I don’t get myself killed. I huff out a breath while I follow Vega and Tate out the door.

Vega gives us a wave and strides off, and I grab Tate’s arm just as he intends to do the same. He goes rigid under my touch and glares at me.

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