CHAPTER NINETEEN

During Presentation Day, Second Squad walks past the dragons available for bonding. Pryor is killed by a red dragon, and Violet unexpectedly encounters two green dragons who recognize the scales of Mira's bonded dragon Teine sewn into her armor. Luca is then incinerated by a dragon after insulting Violet, leaving the squad decimated.

Second Squad places eleventh overall in the Gauntlet, with 169 cadets surviving to Presentation Day. Garrick leads them to the dragon line in a box canyon, instructing them to maintain seven feet apart and engage in conversation to help dragons assess their compatibility. Walking the path, Violet discusses her family with Rhiannon while deflecting questions about the rope plan she used in the Gauntlet. She notices the feathertail dragon—a small golden dragon that surprises the squad. After passing the other dragons, the group reaches the end of the line to regroup. Tynan mocks the feathertail and insults Violet, calling her weak. The squad begins the return walk, and as they progress, Rhiannon and Violet bond further through conversation about wyvern folklore and childhood memories, easing the tension. However, a red dragon suddenly attacks, incinerating Pryor completely, leaving only ash on the path. As the squad continues, two green dragons approach Violet from behind. She lowers her gaze submissively and realizes they are drawn to the scales of Teine, her sister Mira's bonded dragon, which Mira had sewn into Violet's armor vest for protection. The dragons sniff her briefly, then retreat to their positions. Violet confides this secret to Rhiannon. As they near the exit, Luca derisively comments that Violet is their weakest link and insults her again, prompting a dragon to incinerate Luca. The squad is reduced to six cadets.