Chapter 22
Chapter
Twenty-Two
T he tension at breakfast was as thick. Every time one of us laughed or spoke above a whisper, heads turned. The sideways glances from the other squads weren’t even subtle anymore—suspicion practically dripped from their eyes.
“Looks like Iron Fang thinks they’re royalty now,” Jax muttered, glaring at their empty table. “You’d think they’d have the decency to eat like the rest of us.”
“They’re on a reconnaissance mission with the infantry,” Cordelle said quietly. “Apparently, our turn’s coming.”
“Great,” Naia muttered, stabbing her fork into her eggs. “I can’t wait to risk my life next.”
I glanced across the room, my eyes instinctively finding Zander. He was seated with Crownwatch, looking far too composed as he sipped from a mug. Every time I dared to look at him, his gaze seemed to already be waiting for mine—sharp, piercing. Like a snake watching its prey.
God, he was good-looking—in that dangerous, shouldn’t-be-trusted sort of way. And that was exactly what he was—a predator wrapped in smooth words and that stupid, too-perfect smile. The man’s eyes even shifted to black smoke when he was angry or about to unleash his Dark Fire.
I shoved the thought away and pushed my tray back. “I’m gonna head back to our room,” I told my squad. “Wash up before training.”
“I’ll come with,” Riven offered.
I shook my head. “I’m fine. I’ll meet you back at the room.”
The air felt too close inside the dining hall, and I needed space.
I just made it out of the side entrance before hands grabbed me. Fingers clamped around my mouth, dragging me around the corner of the building.
I thrashed hard, but another arm locked around my ribs, pinning my arms to my sides. The first fist hit my stomach, and I grunted, doubling over. Another strike slammed into my ribs, driving the breath from my lungs.
“Stay down,” a voice growled.
I bucked upward, ramming my shoulder into someone’s chin. A boot hit the back of my knee, and I went down hard, scraping my face.
I twisted my head just enough to see one of them—hooded, face half-covered in cloth. But when he raised his arm for another blow, his sleeve slipped back. A tattoo curled around his wrist—a twisted fang surrounded by a black chain.
Iron Fang.
Pain burst across my ribs again, and my vision blurred.
Kaelith’s roar split the air like thunder, distant but unmistakable.
Hold on! Siergen’s voice roared in my mind, sharp and urgent.
I kicked out blindly and felt the satisfying crack of my boot connecting with a jaw. The man staggered back with a curse.
The ground shook beneath me, and then fire—bright and vicious—erupted in the courtyard. The heat seared the air, and my attackers bolted, their hoods disappearing into the shadows like smoke.
I coughed, rolling onto my side. The world spun, but I caught the flash of ruby scales as Siergen landed with a thunderous crack of wings. His fiery breath still lingered in the air, smoke curling from his nostrils.
You alright? his voice rumbled in my head, gruff but edged with concern.
I staggered to my feet, clutching my side. “I’ve been better.”
Kaelith’s coming, he warned.
I’m fine. Siergen saved me. I sent the thought to Kaelith.
Be more aware of your surroundings. The pure-blood nobles are not your friends. I knew she had turned around and was headed back toward the isle.
Did she mean Zander? Tae and Eilvin were basically commoners in the nobles’ eyes.
I will.
Siergen’s eyes narrowed. You need to inform Hein’s rider of this attack.
“Later.” I winced as I moved. “I need to go to the washroom and clean up.”
His scales glinted in the morning light, smoke curling from his lips. Don’t think this is over, he warned. Whoever sent them—they won’t stop.
I knew he was right. And I had a pretty good idea who they worked for.
I returned to our room and went to wash up as best I could.
The room went dead silent the moment I stepped out of the washroom. I had scrubbed at my shirt, hoping the stains weren’t noticeable, and my lip had mostly healed—but not enough to hide what had happened.
Jax’s eyes locked on me immediately, narrowing with suspicion. “What the fuck happened, Ashe?”
Every set of eyes turned toward me. Riven was across the room in seconds, her fingers brushing my face with surprising gentleness. “Who hit you?”
I shook her off and made my way to my bunk. “I was attacked after I left the dining hall.” My voice was steady, but I could still taste copper at the corner of my mouth. “They were in black gear. Not rider armor, but one of them had an Iron Fang tattoo on his wrist. Siergen intervened.
“They’re dead,” Tae hissed, voice sharp with rage.
I shook my head, swallowing the ache in my ribs. “Assassins are known to put fake tattoos on their bodies to implicate someone else. They may want us to believe it was Iron Fang.”
The air shifted—no one moved, no one spoke.
“You think this was the Order?” Naia’s voice was low, almost hesitant.
“It’s possible.” My fingers twisted in my blanket. “I need more information before I accuse another squad.”
“This is so fucked,” Jax growled, pacing near his bunk. His fists clenched and unclenched like he was itching to hit something.
“We can’t retaliate without proof,” Cordelle said quietly, his eyes on me. “But you said they dragged you behind the dining hall?” I nodded. “There might be footprints. I’ll check.”
“I’ll go with you,” Tae said, his voice still tight with anger.
“I’ll find Zander,” Naia offered. “He’s probably the only one who’ll believe us if this was the Order.”
“I don’t need Zander,” I muttered. “I’m fine.”
“You’re not fine,” Riven shot back. “If Siergen hadn’t shown up…” She trailed off, swallowing hard. “Whoever did this wasn’t trying to scare you—they were trying to kill you.”
The reality of her words squeezed my chest, and for a moment, I couldn’t breathe. She was right. They hadn’t held back. Whoever sent those men wanted me dead.
“I’ll be fine,” I repeated. “But whoever did this? They’re going to regret it.”
“Damn right they will,” Jax muttered. “Next time you go anywhere, we go with you.”
“Agreed,” Ferrula added, her face set like stone.
The door creaked open, and Cordelle and Tae stepped inside, their faces grim. I knew before they even spoke that whatever they’d found wouldn’t put my mind at ease.
“We checked the area,” Cordelle said, voice low. “The boot prints—they’re standard issue squad gear.”
I scoffed. “That doesn’t prove anything. The Order could get their hands on that.”
Tae crossed his arms. “Maybe, but could they sneak multiple assassins inside the castle during morning meal? Without anyone noticing?”
My stomach twisted. He had a point. The timing, the precision—it felt too calculated to be random. Whoever had ordered the attack knew my schedule, knew where I’d be. This wasn’t a gamble. It was deliberate.
“They’re trying to make us paranoid,” Naia muttered, pacing near the window. “They want us second-guessing each other.”
“Well, it’s working,” Jax snapped. “If we can’t trust anyone, what the hell are we supposed to do?”
“We trust each other,” Riven said firmly. “That’s all we can do.”
The room stilled at her words, heavy with the weight of unspoken promises. My squad—my new family—wasn’t going anywhere. Whatever the Order was trying to pull, they weren’t going to break us.
“I’ll be back,” Cordelle said suddenly, heading for the door.
“Where are you going?” I asked.
He paused just long enough to smile. “To grab you some tea. You look like you could use it.”
When he returned a few minutes later, Cordelle handed me a steaming mug, the scent of herbs curling up to warm my face. I clutched the cup like it was the only thing grounding me.
“Thanks,” I murmured, voice softer than I intended.
Cordelle shrugged. “No problem. But you should know I ran into Zander. I think he knows something is up.”
“Kaelith may have told Hein.”
Riven pursed her lips. “Would your father really order a hit on you?”
I took a sip, the warmth spreading through my chest. “He didn’t always hate me,” I whispered, thinking of Cyran. “When I was little... before Dalila died, I think he actually cared.”
The squad stilled, waiting quietly, like they knew I needed to get this out.
“He’d bring me hair ribbons or sweets—things he said my mother would’ve given me if she were alive.
” I stared into my tea. “I think... I think he really did try at first. But after Dalila died, it was like I became a burden—something to manage rather than care for. Then Solei trained me, and he realized I had potential. I stopped being his daughter that day. I was just an asset after that.”
Riven reached out, her fingers curling over mine. “You were never just an asset.”
I managed a shaky smile. “Tell that to Cyran.”
“Forget him,” Jax said. “You’ve got us now.”
“You’re family,” Naia added quietly. “We’ll figure this out together.”
I swallowed hard and nodded. For the first time since Cyran had turned his back on me, I felt something solid beneath my feet. Whatever the Order had planned, whatever my father had done, I knew I wouldn’t be facing it alone.
The door slammed open without warning, and every head in the room snapped toward it. Zander Rayne strode in like he owned the place, his face hard. His eyes dark, like a storm barely held at bay, swept the room before landing on me. Not quite black, but dangerously close.
“What the fuck happened?” His voice was a low growl, the kind that made the air feel too thin.
I swallowed hard. “I was attacked.” I kept my voice even, but my fingers tightened around the mug of tea Cordelle had brought me. “Three men in black. Not rider armor, but one had an Iron Fang tattoo.”
Zander swore under his breath and turned to the others. “Get to the Ascension Grounds. Now.”
Nobody questioned him. Tae grabbed his boots, Jax muttered something about “not getting a damn break,” and the others filed out. I knew I should follow, but Zander’s gaze stayed locked on mine—pinning me in place.
When the door shut behind them, he crossed the room and dropped heavily onto my bed, so close that his thigh brushed mine. His scent—leather, smoke, something faintly metallic like steel—curled around me, and it took every ounce of willpower I had not to lean into him.
“Why can’t you stay out of trouble for more than five minutes?” His tone was dry, but there was no real heat behind it.
“I wasn’t exactly out picking fights,” I shot back. “I was walking back from breakfast.”
He blew out a breath and dragged a hand down his face. “It’s like you’re a chaos magnet.”
“Yeah? Well, maybe if my dragon actually liked me, I wouldn’t be half-dead every other day.” The bitterness in my voice surprised me.
Zander chuckled, but it lacked humor. “Kaelith doesn’t hate you. She’s just... stubborn.”
“Like her rider,” I muttered.
His mouth twitched like he wanted to smile but didn’t dare. Instead, he turned his gaze on me, and something shifted in his eyes—that dark, swirling storm gathering force. His pupils expanded, swallowing the lavender whole until his eyes were nothing but black.
I should’ve been afraid. I knew what that meant—Dark Fire simmering just beneath his skin, power barely restrained. But instead of leaning away, I moved closer.
Stupid. So stupid.
“You should be afraid of me,” he murmured, voice quieter now, like he wasn’t quite sure what to make of me.
“I know,” I said. My pulse pounded in my ears, but I didn’t pull back. “But I’m not.”
He let out a low breath, and for the briefest second, his hand lifted—like he meant to touch me—but he stopped himself, fingers curling into a fist instead.
“You should be,” he said again, but this time it didn’t sound like a warning.
It sounded like regret.
I could still feel the heat of him when he stood and walked toward the door. He paused there, hand on the handle, and turned back to me.
“Don’t roam the compound alone again,” he said. “Not until I say it’s safe.”
“Sure.”
Zander’s brows furrowed. “I wish this were the worst thing that is going to happen to you today.”
“What does that mean?”
“Go to the Ascension Grounds, Ashlyn. You are about to find out.”