"There is an art to poison not often discussed, and that is timing. Only a master can properly dose and administer for effective onset. One must take into account the mass of the individual as well as the method of delivery."

—Effective Uses of Wild and Cultivated Herbs by Captain Lawrence Medina

As I dressed in the serene women's hall, the morning sun struggled to rise above the horizon, casting a warm glow through the distant windows. Lost in thought, I was startled when a vest was suddenly presented to me. My gaze followed the outstretched hand, and my eyes met Violet's as she offered me her prized dragon scale vest.

I furrowed my brow, perplexed by her gesture. "Why would you give this to me?" I asked, my voice laced with concern. "You need it far more than I do." Violet shrugged nonchalantly, her expression enigmatic. "I know you'll need it today," she said, her words dripping with an air of foreboding.

My frown deepened as I hesitated, unsure of how to respond. Instead of accepting the gift, I gently placed the vest on the bench between us. "You should keep it, Violet," I insisted. "I won't argue about it."

With a subtle smile, I revealed my own glimmering vest, its intricate scales catching the morning light. "I've acquired one of my own," I said, my tone tinged with a hint of mystery.

Violet's eyes widened in surprise as she took in this new information. "When did that happen?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.

I chuckled low in my throat, a mischievous glint in my eye. "Let's just say being not entirely human has its advantages," I replied, patting Violet's shoulder reassuringly.

Violet laughed softly and reclaimed her vest, strapping it securely around her torso once more. The sound of our laughter echoed through the quiet hall, a momentary respite from the unknown challenges that lay ahead.

We finished our preparations, our footsteps echoing through the silent hall as we made our way past the empty beds of the dozen women who hadn't survived to see August. I shoved open the door, and we stepped out into the crisp morning air.

As I breathed in, my senses were assaulted by the pungent smell of sweat and metal. My gaze scanned the area, and my heart skipped a beat as I spotted Dain leaning against the wall at the opposite end of the courtyard. I stepped aside, allowing Violet to see him too. "Morning," I said, trying to sound nonchalant despite the flutter in my chest.

I couldn't help but smile as Dain's piercing gaze met mine. "You don't have to escort us to duty every morning, you know," I teased, trying to hide my pleasure at his presence.

Dain shrugged, his expression unreadable. "Maybe not," he said, his voice low and rough. "But I don't trust anyone in this fort anymore." His eyes locked onto mine, and for a moment, it felt like he was saying something more – something that only I could hear.

Dain stepped closer, his eyes roving over me before nodding in approval. "You look good," he said, his voice low and husky. He turned to Violet, his gaze lingering on her for a moment before nodding again. "Both of you. Now, let's go."

We followed him through the winding corridors, the familiar path that would lead us to our duties – if we survived the Threshing. As we walked, Dain spoke up, his tone conversational despite the underlying tension in his words. "Trust me, it's worth getting up an hour early. Though I still can't figure out why you'd choose breakfast duty over every other assignment."

He shot us a curious glance, his eyes probing for answers. Violet and I exchanged a shrug, our silence speaking volumes. I knew Violet's reasons – she had confided in me about her clandestine trips to gather poisonous berries in the dead of night. And I was there to aid her, using my unique abilities to help her poison her victims.

Dain's gaze lingered on us for a moment longer before he looked away, his expression unreadable. We continued on in silence, the only sound being the soft echo of our footsteps through the empty halls.

As we turned a corner, a door on our right burst open, and Dain swiftly intervened, pulling me behind him with his arm. I stumbled into his back, my face inches from the leather and soap scent of his jacket.

"Rhiannon?" he snapped.

Rhiannon's eyes widened in apology. "Sorry!"

I slipped out of Dain's hold and moved to his side, where I could see Rhiannon standing in the doorway. A grin spread across my face as Tara appeared beside her. "Hey, Tara." Tara nodded at me and then at Violet before heading down the hallway, tucking her shirt into her pants.

Dain lectured Rhiannon about curfew and private dorms, but she shot back with a mischievous smirk. The exchange ended with Rhiannon and Tara retreating to their dorms, Rhiannon giving me a discreet pat on the shoulder as she passed by. I whispered "good job" to her – it was no secret that she had a crush on Tara.

Violet and I chuckled as we continued on with Dain, who muttered under his breath about not signing up to monitor first-years' sex lives. I smirked at him. "Oh, come on. Like you weren't a first-year yourself last year."

He raised an eyebrow thoughtfully before shrugging it off. As we approached the arched doorways leading to the rotunda, he glanced at me sideways, but looked away before speaking further.

Violet teased him about asking about my sex life, and we paused by one of the statues in the rotunda. I let my fingers trail along the exposed fangs of the green dragon pillar as we walked by.

Dain denied any such intentions but then wondered aloud if there was even anything to ask about. We climbed the steps into commons, and I turned to face him just before reaching the top step.

He stood two steps below me, our eyes level. "Since I got here?" I tapped my chin thoughtfully and smiled mischievously. "That's none of your business. Before I got here? Still none of your business."

He chuckled at my response before Violet nudged me hard – hard enough that I hissed at her in mock annoyance – swatting at her ear as she yelped in surprise but managed to keep her footing on the stone steps.

Dain laughed good-naturedly at our antics before admonishing us to behave ourselves once more.

As we entered the commons, the empty study tables and the library entrance came into view. Although it couldn't compare to the grandeur of the scribes' Archives, this library held every tome I needed to excel in my studies here.

Dain posed his question as we approached the gathering hall: "Are you ready for today? For the challenges to start this afternoon?" Violet shifted beside me, but I nodded resolutely. While I didn't particularly enjoy competing against the other cadets, this school meant everything to me, and I was determined to do my best. To be honest, I was pretty confident in my abilities – I was fast on the mat and strong enough to hold my own against boys a year older than me.

As we took our seats, Dain let out a heavy sigh. "Just be careful, okay? I can't bear to watch any of you get hurt." His words were laced with concern, but I couldn't help but chuckle. "Getting hurt is part of the job, Dain. You know that as well as we do," I said with a reassuring smile, trying to ease his worries.

But before I could continue, a deep voice sent shivers down my spine. "Oh, is that it?" The words dripped with sarcasm, and I turned to face Xaden, his dark eyes fixed intently on me and me alone. It was as if he didn't even notice Violet or Dain standing beside me. My heart skipped a beat as our gazes locked.

I swallowed hard before asking, "What is it?" Xaden snorted, his expression unyielding. "That your fighting skills aren't a problem? I've not seen you fight since Conscription Day – which, by the way, I still don't know how you managed to get Professor Tyo to agree to." He crossed his arms over his chest, his eyes narrowing accusingly. "You're doing something to him, aren't you? Laying with him perhaps?"

I snorted in disgust and leaned back against my chair. "Eriarison cut it off," Dain snapped before I could respond. "Emberlyn would never sleep with a higher-up." The tension in the air was palpable as Xaden's gaze lingered on me for a moment longer before he turned away, leaving an unsettling silence in his wake.

As Dain's whispered words escaped his lips, I nodded in silent understanding, our eyes locking in a moment of mutual comprehension. I reached out and gently grasped his hands, my fingers intertwining with his as if they were two halves of a long-lost whole. I stretched out his fingers, aligning them with mine, the tips touching in a tender gesture of reassurance. The soft pads of our fingertips seemed to hum with an unspoken connection, as if the very fabric of our bond was woven from the threads of trust and loyalty.

"Dain, relax, okay?" I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper, yet infused with a soothing calm that seemed to seep into his very being. "He's just doing it to rile me up, but I won't fall for it. You know that." My smile was a gentle curve of my lips, a soft promise that everything would be alright.

Violet's head came to rest on my shoulder, her silky hair cascading down like a waterfall of nightshade as she smiled too. The warmth of her breath danced across my skin, sending shivers down my spine as she whispered her own words of encouragement. "Yeah, have a little faith in Ember; she can handle guys who think they're tough." Her voice was like honeyed wine, sweet and smooth, filling me with confidence and determination.

Dain's eyes locked onto mine, and he pulled me into a gentle embrace, his chest a warm haven against which I could surrender. I wrapped my arms around his waist, feeling the familiar contours of his body, the comforting solidity of his presence. He nuzzled his head into the crook of my neck, and I felt a wave of nostalgia wash over me – we'd done this countless times before, when we were kids, seeking comfort in each other's company.

"I know you're strong and I trust you, Ember," he whispered, his breath tickling my skin. "I just don't want to lose you to guys like him." His voice was laced with concern, and I could feel the weight of his words settling deep within me. He paused, taking a deep breath before continuing, "I trust you to keep yourself away from him, okay? Xaden is not a good guy." His gaze searched mine, seeking reassurance.

I rolled my eyes good-naturedly but nodded in agreement. He leaned in closer, his forehead touching mine as if sealing our pact. "Promise me," he whispered again. I nodded once more, and he released me with a gentle smile.

As I turned back to Violet, she beamed at me with an encouraging smile. She reached out and patted my back in a gentle gesture of solidarity. The warmth of her touch was like a balm to my soul – we were in this together.

◤◢◣◥◤◢◣◥◤◢◣◥

"Remember the temperament of each breed when deciding which dragons to approach and which to flee from on Threshing," Professor Kaori advises, his piercing, dark eyes scanning the room as he studies the new recruits for a moment before switching the projection from a green daggerwing to a red scorpiontail. As an illusionist, he's the only professor in the quadrant who can project his thoughts, making this lesson one of my favorites.

Next to me, Violet nods attentively, and I do the same, committing the image of the red scorpiontail to memory before he changes it again. "Red scorpiontails, like Ghrian here, are the quickest to temper," Professor Kaori continues, his perfectly trimmed beard curling as he smiles at the illusion as if he were the dragon himself. We all take notes. "So if you offend him, you're..."

"Lunch," Ridoc quips from my left side, and the class erupts into laughter. Even Jack Barlowe, who hasn't stopped staring at me since his group took over their quarter of the room half an hour ago, cracks a smile.

"Exactly," Professor Kaori responds with a chuckle. "So what's the best way to approach a red scorpiontail?" He casts a glance around the room.

No one answers, but I see Violet glance up; she knows the answer without a doubt. "They prefer you approach from their left and front if possible," a woman from one of the other troops responds confidently. I feel a slight flutter in my stomach.

But I shake it off; I can find another way to answer later. Professor Kaori nods and turns back to the board. "For this Threshing, there are three red scorpiontails willing to form bonds." The image before us shifts to another dragon.

My gaze drifts forward and backward until Rhiannon says something that makes me look up. "How many dragons are there in total?" Rhiannon asks, her curiosity piqued.

"A hundred this year," Professor Kaori responds, changing the image once more. "But some might change their minds during the presentation in two months, depending on what they see." I catch Violet's eye; she's just as anxious about this as I am. Well, I just need to look good enough for a dragon to want me, I think to myself, nervously twirling my hair around my finger.

The room falls silent, each of us lost in our own thoughts. The weight of the upcoming Threshing settles heavier on my shoulders. Will I be able to impress a dragon? What if I'm not good enough? The questions swirl in my mind like a vortex, making my stomach twist with anxiety.

A couple of hours fly by until Violet and I decide to take a break, and the rest of the class follows suit. We all grab our bags and head out of the lecture hall, Violet and I trailing behind Rhiannon and Tara. "Do you think any of us will get chosen?" Tara asks, and I shrug. "We can only hope that we can read the dragons well," I say, trying to sound nonchalant. Rhiannon nods in agreement, her eyes sparkling with determination. "But I'm pretty sure we'll be fine, I mean, look at us," she says, waving a hand towards the three of us.

Just then, I sense someone behind me, and I turn to see the blond guy who's been staring at me during class - Jack. I raise an eyebrow. "And what do you want?" I ask curtly, trying to hide my annoyance.

Jack flashes a charming smile, his blue eyes crinkling at the corners. "Just wanted to introduce myself," he says, holding out his hand. "Jack Barlowe." His handshake is firm, but his gaze lingers on mine for a fraction of a second too long.

I release his hand quickly, feeling a flutter in my chest that I try to ignore. "Emberlyn," I respond coolly, trying to sound uninterested. Violet raises an eyebrow beside me, sensing the tension between us.

Just then, Liam from the second-year class, one of Xaden's friends, approaches us. "Don't mind Jack Barlow," he says with a snort, and Jack shoots him a dirty look. The bigger guy just smirked and gave me another smile. "See you in the dining hall later, Emberlyn," he says, before sauntering off.

Liam comes up to us, his eyes fixed on me. "He didn't do anything, did he?" he asks, his tone suspicious.

I roll my eyes. "You sound like Dain, but no, he didn't do anything. He just said hello," I respond dryly.

Violet raises an eyebrow beside me. "What's with Liam and Jack?" she whispers.

I shrug. "No idea, but it seems like they have some history."

Rhiannon chimes in, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Maybe we can ask Xaden about it later?"

Tara nods enthusiastically. "Yeah, let's get the scoop!"

The four of us share a laugh as we continue walking towards the dining hall, our conversation flowing easily as we speculate about the drama between Liam and Jack.

◤◢◣◥◤◢◣◥◤◢◣◥

As we make our way to the training mats, I notice Violet's intense focus on her opponent, and it makes me a bit nervous. But we follow along as Rhiannon takes down her opponent with ease. It's a guy from Second Wing, and it takes her almost no time to get him in a headlock and cut off his air supply. "She makes it look so easy," Violet says to Dain, who's standing beside us, slightly behind me, as if ready to catch me if I trip or something.

I glance over at him and see that he's talking about Xaden, his eyes fixed on him as Rhiannon tightens her grip on the first-year student from Second Wing. "Your opponent," Dain says quietly. "I overheard him and some friends. They think you're a liability to the wing because of that Barlowe guy." I suck in a breath, my shoulders tensing up as I speak, maybe not directly to Dain but loud enough for him to hear. "I can take care of myself," I spit out.

Violet chuckles and rolls her eyes. "You can really, but Dain has a point - be careful with Jack." Violet teases, "He looks like he likes you, Ember." My face warms up at the suggestion, but I try to brush it off.

Rhiannon finally releases her opponent, who gasps for air as he stumbles away. She turns to us with a grin. "Next?" she asks, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

Tara nods enthusiastically. "I'm up next!"

As we continue training, I can't help but steal glances at Xaden, wondering what he's thinking about Jack and me. And whether there's any truth to Dain's warning..

As Violet pats Dain reassuringly on the shoulder, she declares, "I'll be fine," her tone laced with confidence. "So will Ember, you know how she is. I think she beat you up a lot more than you did her when we were younger." I let out a snort of amusement and relax my arms, acknowledging the truth in her statement.

The atmosphere shifts as Tara and Rhiannon conclude their sparring match, and attention turns to the impending battle of violins. Jack's voice cuts through the air, dripping with sarcasm and malice. "I really hope you win today's challenge," he says, his eyes gleaming with a sadistic intensity that makes my skin crawl. "It would be a shame if someone else were to kill you before I get the chance. But it wouldn't surprise me. Violins are such delicate... fragile things, you know."

The condescending tone and mocking words are like fuel to Violet's fire. Delicate? Fragile? Her eyes flash with indignation as she proves him wrong in an instant. Two daggers materialize in her hands, inches from Jack's vulnerable areas – one poised to strike at his groin, the other pressed against the wooden planks by his neck.

Fear widens Jack's eyes as he takes in the sudden threat. I can't help but chuckle at the sudden turn of events. Well, well, well – it seems Violet has finally unleashed her true wildness.

Dain intervenes, calling out to Violet as Jack hastily maneuvers around her knives and retreats from the wall. The tension is palpable as our gazes lock onto each other. A wave of embarrassment washes over Jack's face, followed by a deep exhale as he seems to regain composure – though it's clear he won't be threatening Violet again anytime soon.

I give Violet an approving nod, and she flashes a smile back at me before her name is called to the mat. It's against Oren, who she's up against, and I feel my heartbeat quicken a bit though Violet clearly showed her mettle around now and that he won't get pushed around by stronger boys (in muscle mass, anyway).

She draws her shoulder back, tense and focused, as she steps forward onto the mat. Oren does the same on the other side, his face a bit green around the gills – I notice that now – and I cock my head, arms crossing as my green eyes narrow on the boy.

The air is thick with anticipation as they face off, their eyes locked in a silent challenge. Violet's confidence is palpable, her determination to prove herself evident in every fiber of her being. I can sense Oren's unease, his uncertainty about how to approach this match against someone who has already demonstrated her prowess.

The referee calls out the start of the match, and Violet charges forward with a fierce cry, her movements swift and deadly. Oren stumbles backward, caught off guard by her sudden attack. The crowd erupts into cheers and shouts as the two opponents clash in a flurry of punches and kicks.

I watch with bated breath, my heart pounding in my chest as Violet takes control of the match. She's a force to be reckoned with, and I have no doubt she'll emerge victorious.

Oren fights back as much as he could, but his body shudders under Violet's relentless assault, and he turns to the side, hurling up his breakfast. I scrunch up my nose at the putrid stench, trying to distance myself from the unpleasant scene. "Oh okay," Dain mutters, and I know he's a bit queasy about this too.

I let out a dry chuckle and turn away from the gagging, retching boy. Violet lets out a huff and pronounces her victory with a triumphant smile. The instructor shouts, "He yields! Guards, clean this up!" Two well-built guards rush over, efficiently cleaning up the nasty mess with rags while one helps Oren stumble towards the healers.

The atmosphere in the room is tense, with some of the onlookers looking pale or green around the gills. I can't help but feel a sense of satisfaction at Violet's decisive win, though. She's proven herself to be a formidable opponent, and it's clear that she won't be intimidated or pushed around by anyone.

As I glance over at Dain, I notice he's watching me with an amused expression. I raise an eyebrow in response, and he shrugs slightly. It seems we're both thinking the same thing – that Violet is a force to be reckoned with, and we're lucky to have her on our side.

The instructor calls out for the next match to begin, and I turn my attention back to the mat. The competition is far from over, and I'm eager to see what other surprises today will bring.

◤◢◣◥◤◢◣◥◤◢◣◥

The next week, it's my turn to show what I'm good for. I feel Dain's worried energy hovering around me before my name is called, and I notice Xaden watching me, his black eyes narrowed. I shoot him a brief, confident smirk, but step up to the mat with focus.

My opponent is a girl who's unsteady on her feet but strong enough to wind up a good punch. She wants it, and I can sense her determination. I chuckle and charge at her, ducking under a wild arm and delivering a swift sting to her spine. It makes her stiffen up and fall limp to the mat. I didn't kill her; I just used a few nerves to stiffen her body up.

I nudge her off the mat, and Professor Emiroere nods in approval. "Good job, you win," he says, and I give him a smile before moving towards Rhiannon, Violet, and Dain. The two girls hug me tightly.

"You're faster than I thought," Rhiannon laughs, and I chuckle with her. Dain looks at me proudly, and I know that Xaden looks too, but I can't be bothered with it now.

As we celebrate my victory, I feel a sense of camaraderie with my friends. We're all in this together, fighting for our place in this unforgiving world. And for now, we're on top of our game.

But as we walk out of the training room, Xaden approaches me with an unreadable expression on his face. "You're quite the fighter," he says quietly.

I raise an eyebrow at him. "What do you want?"

I'm taken aback by Xaden's sudden compliment and offer. He chuffs a laugh, "Nothing big, Ember, just wanted you to know that you make a hell of a fighter, and I'd be honored to have you on my squad." He looks at Dain, "And I know your squad leader is too."

I'm surprised by his words, and my initial instinct is to be wary of his intentions. But there's something about his tone that seems genuine, almost... respectful.

Before I can respond, he bows and walks off, leaving me feeling both intrigued and confused. I turn to Dain, who raises an eyebrow at me.

"Well, that was unexpected," he says dryly.

I nod in agreement. "Yeah, what do you think he's playing at?"

Dain shrugs. "Hard to say. But if Xaden wants you on his squad, it means he thinks you're valuable. And if he's willing to approach you like that... maybe he's not as bad as we thought."

I consider Dain's words as we walk out of the training room together. Could it be that Xaden is more than just a ruthless fighter? Is there more to him than meets the eye?

As we join Rhiannon and Violet outside, I can't help but wonder what other surprises this day might bring.

◤◢◣◥◤◢◣◥◤◢◣◥

As I watched, Violet Wings sparred with her opponent, exchanging blows and landing a few solid hits. However, it was this week's challenges that were proving to be particularly frustrating. "Sorry, Violet," Professor Emetterio apologized, stroking his short black beard. "You were supposed to face Rayma, but unfortunately, she's been taken to the healers due to her inability to walk in a straight line."

I furrowed my brow and turned my attention to Violet, who wore an enigmatic smirk on her face. Yet, beneath her confident exterior, I detected a hint of worry. It was as if she feared the professor would pair her with someone who might break her spine.

"That's...unfortunate," she winced.

I worked my brow into a deeper crease; this wasn't quite real, was it? I glanced at Dain and then at Rhiannon, who had cocked her head and placed her hands akimbo at her waist.

"That's...unfortunate," I echoed Violet's sentiment.

Violet began backing away from the mat, but before she could retreat further, a voice cut in. "I'm happy to step in." The tone sent shivers down my spine.

Oh no. Absolutely not. No way.

"You sure?" Professor Emetterio asked, turning to glance over his shoulder.

"Absolutely," the voice replied with confidence.

My stomach plummeted as Xaden walked onto the mat, his presence commanding attention and exuding an air of calculated menace.