Chapter Eight
Contains spoilersOverview
On Conscription Day, Violet helps manage the parapet crossings, encountering the king’s son in disguise and Liam’s sister, Sloane, who openly blames Violet. Dain places Sloane in Violet’s squad. During the ceremony, Vice Commandant Varrish’s dragon, Solas, torches runners and collateral cadets, injuring Violet.
Tairn arrives furious, confronts Solas, and forces a retreat, cementing a dangerous rift between Violet and Varrish while binding Sloane’s fate to Violet’s squad.
Summary
Violet, Rhiannon, Nadine, and Dain oversee Conscription Day from the parapet tower. As candidates climb, Violet steels her mental shields against Dain and recalls last year’s terror. They note only ninety-one dragons willing to bond. Candidates begin crossing; some fall, others show ruthless aggression. Violet recognizes “Aaric Graycastle” as King Tauri’s third son and quietly directs him toward Second Squad despite Dain’s warning. Violet refuses to watch more deaths.
Sloane Mairi, Liam’s sister, arrives. Violet gives her practical advice and a hair tie, but Sloane accuses Violet of causing Liam’s death and vows hatred. Sloane crosses successfully. By day’s end, seventy-one candidates have fallen.
At assignment, Sloane is first placed in First Wing, but Dain has her moved to Second Squad, Fourth Wing. Sloane protests; Rhiannon enforces discipline, and Violet insists Sloane stay to honor her promise to Liam. The squad notes returning candidate Visia Hawelynn.
During speeches by Commandant Panchek and Aura Beinhaven, dragons line the walls, including Varrish’s one-eyed Orange Daggertail, Solas. Panic spreads among first-years. When three cadets run, Solas incinerates them and collateral cadets, including much of Third Squad. Violet tackles Sloane to the ground, Aaric shields another, and Violet’s back is scorched, though her armor holds. Imogen mourns Ciaran among the dead.
As Varrish frames the slaughter as strengthening the wings, another runner moves. Tairn arrives in a fury, publicly challenges Solas, and forces him to withdraw with a lethal threat. The ceremony resumes under shaken command, and Varrish’s glare makes clear his enmity with Violet.
Who Appears
- Violet Sorrengail
Helps run Conscription Day, aids Sloane, is burned shielding her, and witnesses Solas’s massacre and Tairn’s intervention.
- Tairn
Violet’s dragon; arrives enraged, confronts Solas, forces a retreat, and vows brutal retribution if Violet is threatened again.
- Sloane Mairi
Liam’s sister; crosses parapet, blames Violet for Liam’s death, reassigned to Violet’s squad, survives under Violet’s protection.
- Vice Commandant Varrish
New vice commandant; oversees ceremony as his dragon Solas torches runners and collateral cadets; openly hostile toward Violet.
- Solas
Varrish’s one-eyed Orange Daggertail; incinerates fleeing cadets and collateral, retreats after Tairn’s threat.
- Dain Aetos
Fourth Wing wingleader; manages parapet and assignments, moves Sloane to Second Squad, stunned by Solas’s destruction.
- Rhiannon Matthias
Second Squad leader; takes roll, enforces discipline, integrates Sloane despite tension.
- Aaric Graycastle
King Tauri’s third son in disguise; crosses parapet, joins Second Squad, shields a cadet during Solas’s fire.
- Imogen
Rider who aids after the blast; devastated by Ciaran’s death among Third Squad casualties.
- Commandant Panchek
Leads the ceremony, orders formation restored despite chaos and casualties.
- Ridoc
Second Squad rider; present during assignments and attack, confirms teammates’ safety.
- Nadine
Second Squad rider; assists on the tower and after the blast, notes Violet’s burned back.
- Sawyer
Second Squad executive officer; reacts to Sloane’s identity and supports Rhiannon.
- Quinn
Rider with Imogen; helps Third Squad aftermath after Solas’s attack.
- Aura Beinhaven
Senior wingleader; addresses cadets as her Red Clubtail looms over the courtyard.
- Cath
Red dragon over Dain during speeches; snaps at Solas as tensions rise.