AFTERWORD

Chapter 10

Chapter Fifteen

Overview

During assessment day, a first-year assassin sent by Colonel Aetos attacks and kills Nadine, then attempts to murder Violet. Violet defeats him in brutal hand-to-hand combat despite severe injuries including strangulation. After classes, Xaden arrives at her room for the first time in eight days, reveals he knows about the attack, and leaves her a letter before departing for Samara.

Summary

Assessment day begins when a large first-year candidate kills Nadine—who had claimed to be Violet to protect her—before attacking Violet herself. The assassin is relentless despite Violet's combat training; she ultimately stabs him multiple times in the kidneys after he strangles her nearly to death. Violet survives with a concussion, bruising around her throat, and full-body pain, but refuses to leave assessment, pushing through the rest of the day while covered in blood. Emetterio reveals that Nadine's death and the assassination attempt were orchestrated by Colonel Aetos as a message to General Sorrengail, similar to attacks on Violet's older sister. Later that evening, Xaden appears in Violet's warded room. He expresses rage at what happened and reveals he learned details from Tairn's communication with Sgaeyl. They discuss his assignment at Samara and the difficulty of maintaining distance between them. Before leaving, Xaden gives Violet a folded letter and provides directions to his barracks room at Samara—third floor, south wing, second door on the right—telling her the wards will let her in when she arrives there in seven days. Violet discovers the letter is a handwritten message from Xaden, leaving her hopeful and conflicted about their relationship.

Characters

  • Violet SorrengailSecond-year cadet who is attacked by an assassin during assessment day; kills her attacker in self-defense; later reunites with Xaden in her room
  • NadineCadet who claims to be Violet to protect her and is killed by the first-year assassin
  • RhiannonViolet's friend who rushes to Nadine's body and later tries to enter Violet's room
  • Unnamed First-Year AssassinLarge cadet sent by Colonel Aetos to assassinate Violet; killed by Violet during combat
  • EmetterioInstructor who assesses Violet's combat abilities and confirms she has a concussion; informs her of Aetos's involvement
  • AndarnaDragon that communicates fear to Violet during the assassin attack
  • Xaden RiorsonOfficer at Samara who appears in Violet's room after eight days away; provides comfort, wards her room, and leaves her a letter before departing
  • DainCadet present during the attack who tries to help Violet afterward
  • EmetterioWeapons instructor overseeing assessment
  • ImogenCadet who supports Violet during and after assessment day
  • RidocCadet who offers support to Violet after the attack
  • SawyerCadet present during assessment
  • SloaneFirst-year cadet and Liam's sister competing in assessment; fights poorly and is thrown repeatedly by Aaric
  • AaricSecond-year cadet who defeats Sloane multiple times during assessment
  • MatthiasCadet ordered by Dain to remove bodies
  • HenrickCadet ordered by Dain to remove bodies
  • MairiFirst-year cadet who watches assessment
  • BodhiOfficer who arrives at Violet's door to summon Xaden
  • TairnDragon bonded to Violet who communicates fear and relief during and after the attack
  • SgaeylDragon bonded to Xaden; communicates details of the attack to Xaden through Tairn
  • JesiniaCharacter mentioned as having loaned Violet tomes on a bookshelf
  • Colonel AetosOfficer responsible for sending the assassin; mentioned as having orchestrated attacks on Violet's sister
  • GarrickFellow rider at Samara who receives easier treatment from older riders
  • General SorrengailViolet's mother; mentioned as a target of Colonel Aetos's resentment