Violet, Rhiannon, and their friends sprint from the interrogation cave into daylight. Professor Grady surprises them outside, and Rhiannon demands the new patch, while Violet reveals the daggers came from Xaden. Tairn urges focus as Violet steels herself to return only for the final exam.

Over the next days, Dain avoids Violet. Ridoc and Sawyer worry she isolates herself between flights to Samara and time with Xaden. They mourn Trysten, a first-year lost to Gauntlet practice, and learn Sorrel from First Squad will be on the death roll. Two First Wing squads press them for details about the escape and the new key patch; Rhiannon and Violet advise them to stay united and not break. Bodhi disperses the crowd, and Violet notes Tairn sensed Sgaeyl’s anger, but Bodhi offers no explanation.

In Battle Brief, cadets find leaflets on their seats announcing “ZOLYA FALLS TO DRAGON FIRE,” claiming a two-day battle ended with total civilian loss. Violet analyzes the print and realizes the notices were produced in Basgiath, not across the border. Shock ripples through the room; Devera calls for silence as Markham takes control.

Markham discredits the leaflets as propaganda, collects them, and undercuts their credibility by noting Navarre has never flown a riot of only blue dragons. He then redirects the class, announcing a celebration of Colonel Nolon’s secret work mending a rider crushed under a mountain.

Markham reveals the rider: Jack Barlowe. As Jack returns to the second-year ranks, Violet confirms his identity and panics, recalling his previous attempts to kill her. Rhiannon, Sawyer, and Ridoc recognize the renewed danger as Jack meets Violet’s eyes, signaling the threat is back.