Page 116 of A Court of Thralls and Thorns

Kaelith’s coming,he warned.

I’m fine. Siergen saved me.I sent the thought to Kaelith.

Be more aware of your surroundings. The pure-blood nobles are not your friends.I knew she had turned around and was headed back toward the isle.

Did she mean Zander? Tae and Eilvin were basically commoners in the nobles’ eyes.

I will.

Siergen’s eyes narrowed.You need to inform Hein’s rider of this attack.

“Later.” I winced as I moved. “I need to go to the washroom and clean up.”

His scales glinted in the morning light, smoke curling from his lips.Don’t think this is over,he warned.Whoever sent them—they won’t stop.

I knew he was right. And I had a pretty good idea who they worked for.

I returned to our room and went to wash up as best I could.

The room went dead silent the moment I stepped out of the washroom. I had scrubbed at my shirt, hoping the stains weren’t noticeable, and my lip had mostly healed—but not enough to hide what had happened.

Jax’s eyes locked on me immediately, narrowing with suspicion. “What the fuck happened, Ashe?”

Every set of eyes turned toward me. Riven was across the room in seconds, her fingers brushing my face with surprising gentleness. “Who hit you?”

I shook her off and made my way to my bunk. “I was attacked after I left the dining hall.” My voice was steady, but I could still taste copper at the corner of my mouth. “They were in black gear. Not rider armor, but one of them had an Iron Fang tattoo on his wrist. Siergen intervened.

“They’re dead,” Tae hissed, voice sharp with rage.

I shook my head, swallowing the ache in my ribs. “Assassins are known to put fake tattoos on their bodies to implicate someone else. They may want us to believe it was Iron Fang.”

The air shifted—no one moved, no one spoke.

“You think this was the Order?” Naia’s voice was low, almost hesitant.

“It’s possible.” My fingers twisted in my blanket. “I need more information before I accuse another squad.”

“This is so fucked,” Jax growled, pacing near his bunk. His fists clenched and unclenched like he was itching to hit something.

“We can’t retaliate without proof,” Cordelle said quietly, his eyes on me. “But you said they dragged you behind the dining hall?” I nodded. “There might be footprints. I’ll check.”

“I’ll go with you,” Tae said, his voice still tight with anger.

“I’ll find Zander,” Naia offered. “He’s probably the only one who’ll believe us if this was the Order.”

“I don’t need Zander,” I muttered. “I’m fine.”

“You’re not fine,” Riven shot back. “If Siergen hadn’t shown up…” She trailed off, swallowing hard. “Whoever did this wasn’t trying to scare you—they were trying to kill you.”

The reality of her words squeezed my chest, and for a moment, I couldn’t breathe. She was right. They hadn’t held back. Whoever sent those men wanted me dead.

“I’ll be fine,” I repeated. “But whoever did this? They’re going to regret it.”

“Damn right they will,” Jax muttered. “Next time you go anywhere, we go with you.”

“Agreed,” Ferrula added, her face set like stone.

The door creaked open, and Cordelle and Tae stepped inside, their faces grim. I knew before they even spoke that whatever they’d found wouldn’t put my mind at ease.