Iron Flame (The Empyrean, #2)

by Rebecca Yarros

Sloane is called to First Wing. “Shit,” I mutter. How the hell am I supposed to help her in an entirely different wing? “I’d consider that a blessing,” Nadine says quietly. “She didn’t seem to be a fan.” Dain steps forward on the dais to talk to Aura Beinhaven, the senior wingleader, and the daggers she has strapped to her upper arms glimmer in the sunlight as she nods her head in response. He glances my way, then crosses over to the roll-keeper at the edge of the dais and she pauses, lifting her pen to scribble something on the roll. “Correction!” she calls out over the crowd. “Sloane Mairi to Second Squad, Flame Section, Fourth Wing.” Yes! My shoulders dip in pure relief. Dain walks back to his position, ignoring the reproachful stare from Vice Commandant Varrish, and his composure slips for the second it takes for him to shoot me an indecipherable look. What? Is Sloane supposed to be some kind of peace offering? The roll-keeper moves on, placing the first-years in their squads. Sloane appears a minute or two later, and my relief is short-lived when she opens her mouth. “No. I refuse. Any squad but this one.” Ouch.