Violet continues her daily routine in the Archives with Liam shadowing her, noticing open hostility toward marked ones. As they talk, Liam reveals that after the rebellion, marked children were fostered out, siblings separated, and all were required to enter the Riders Quadrant. He shares that his father was executed at their home, that he and Xaden were fostered together at Duke Lindell’s estate, and that there are 107 marked children, the youngest born already marked. He credits Xaden for training him and stresses his loyalty.

Jesinia loads their cart and is alarmed by the bruises on Violet’s neck. In the corridor, a fallen scroll reveals a fresh report: Sumerton on the southern border was raided; a convoy was looted and cave stores ransacked, consistent with recent high-altitude attacks where wards weaken. Tairn’s ravenous hunger floods Violet through the bond before he reins it in, confirming Andarna sleeps to recover. Violet and Liam commiserate about not yet channeling and the risks of manifesting signets.

On the way to Battle Brief, their squad banters about channeling. In the lecture hall, Violet refuses to look at Xaden but notices his shadows lift her dropped quill. Liam quietly reveals Xaden warded Violet’s door so only she can open it, unsettling her with its mix of protection and control.

Professor Devera announces that the Squad Battle winners will shadow an active front-line wing. Then, despite the Sumerton report, Professors Markham and Devera focus on analyzing the centuries-old Battle of Gianfar. Violet notes the dissonance between rising southern raids and the lack of open discussion, suspecting the new attack information may be restricted.