AFTERWORD

Chapter 23

CHAPTER THIRTY

Overview

Violet's hidden knowledge of her time-stopping signet deepens her bond with Xaden while straining her friendship with Dain. After weeks of signet training and maintaining her secret, she faces a brutal challenge match against Jack Barlowe, who uses an illegal vibration-based power attack. Violet survives by poisoning him with oranges, his fatal allergy, and wakes in the infirmary to find Xaden waiting for her—furious.

Summary

The chapter opens with Violet discussing her night with Xaden with Rhiannon, who reveals her own rare summoning signet. Violet attends class and encounters Dain, who apologizes for not believing her about Amber's attack and admits he was trying to protect her from Xaden. After a tense conversation, they partially reconcile, though Violet realizes she trusts Xaden more than her oldest friend. During the following weeks, Violet trains relentlessly with Professor Carr to control her lesser magics while her time-stopping signet remains secret. Rhiannon tells her she believes Violet, not Xaden, is the most powerful rider of their generation. Near month's end, Violet learns Jack Barlowe has been cleared to challenge her and will do so the next day in the sparring gym. She confides in Liam, extracting a promise to keep it secret and to alert Xaden only after the match begins. During the challenge, Jack uses an illegal vibration-based signet power that causes extreme internal pain. As he strangles her with his hands, Violet reaches into her pocket and uses a vial of orange extract—his fatal allergen—to poison him. Jack's airway closes and he collapses. Violet loses consciousness and awakens hours later in the infirmary to find Xaden sitting vigil, clearly furious.

Characters

  • Violet SorrengailThe protagonist, recovering in the infirmary after her challenge match with Jack Barlowe, where she secretly used poison to survive
  • RhiannonViolet's friend who reveals she has developed a rare summoning signet and reassures Violet about her own potential
  • Liam MairiViolet's loyal shadow who promises to keep her challenge with Jack secret and later sprints to alert Xaden
  • Xaden RiorsonViolet's wingleader and romantic interest who is waiting in the infirmary, clearly angry about the challenge
  • Dain AetosViolet's oldest friend who apologizes for not believing her and questions her trust in Xaden
  • Professor CarrInstructor teaching signet control who dismisses Violet's potential and compares her unfavorably to her siblings
  • Jack BarloweFirst Wing cadet who challenges Violet using an illegal vibration-based signet power; poisoned with orange extract during their match
  • TairnViolet's gold dragon who advises her during the challenge match
  • AndarnaViolet's second dragon, referenced as private and part of Violet's bonded power
  • RidocViolet's squadmate who witnesses the challenge and tries to protect her from Jack's illegal power use
  • SawyerViolet's squadmate with metallurgy signet powers, present at the challenge
  • ImogenInstructor who trains Violet in weight exercises to strengthen her joints
  • Professor EmetterioInstructor overseeing the sparring matches who tries to enforce rules during Violet and Jack's challenge
  • Lamani ZoharNew Third Wing wingleader appointed after Amber's execution
  • JeremiahReferenced as having been killed by Professor Carr
  • Mira SorrengailViolet's sister, referenced for her ward signet and battlefield valor
  • Brennan SorrengailViolet's deceased brother, referenced as a rare mender
  • General SorrengailViolet's mother, referenced as having killed Xaden's father