CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

Violet's dormitory room is attacked by a group of unbonded cadets led by Oren Seifert, who tries to kill her. Xaden arrives in time to save her, and during the escape through a hidden tunnel to the flight field, Violet learns that Andarna—her bonded dragon—is a feathertail hatchling who stopped time to save her life, a revelation that carries dangerous implications.

Oren Seifert and a group of unbonded cadets attack Violet in her room while she sleeps, attempting to kill her as a "mistake" in bonding. Andarna uses her feathertail power to freeze time, allowing Violet to break free. Xaden arrives and kills all the attackers with brutal efficiency, using his shadow magic. After Violet reveals her injuries—a cut throat and bruised ribs protected by dragon-scale armor Mira made—Xaden escorts her through a hidden tunnel beneath Basgiath that leads to the flight field. En route, Violet struggles with her attraction to him despite his lethal nature. At the flight field, Tairn, Sgaeyl, and Andarna meet them. Xaden confronts Tairn about what power he channeled to Violet. Through the dragons' explanations, it is revealed that Andarna is a feathertail—a juvenile dragon still developing—who bonded with Violet prematurely. Her gift is exceptionally rare: she can pause time in small increments, but channeling it exhausts her dangerously. Feathertails are normally hidden because their unstable powers could be exploited by riders seeking to drain their abilities instead of developing their own signets. If leadership discovers Andarna's identity or Violet's time-stopping power, both would be hunted. Xaden makes Violet promise absolute secrecy and suggests the gift may fade as Andarna matures. Oren's attack was orchestrated by a female rider who unlocked Violet's door from outside, though Violet refuses to identify her, and Xaden demands she reveal the traitor's name before they return.