As we approach Rebecca Yarros' Yarros' bestselling fantasy series, I'm convinced I have a solid grasp on what will come next.

Thankfully, Yarros has also dropped several teasers ahead of the third book's release—from Xaden's new bonus chapters in Fourth Wing's paperback edition, to a full three-page Onyx Storm excerpt in Cosmopolitan UK. The selected ages from the teasers are carefully thought out, and when comparing the new information revealed to earlier Fourth Wing or Iron Flame plotlines, it's easier to surmise where Yarros plans to take the story.

10 Naolin Will Be Revealed As The Venin Sage

He Became Venin When He Resurrected Brennan

Naolin, Tairn's previous rider, has been a consistently mentioned character throughout the series—a peculiar pattern in Yarros' narrative considering the fact that he's believed to be dead. But, Brennan only states that Naolin's attempts to save him "cost him everything," whereas Tairn refuses to speak of him at all—as if what truly happened to Naolin is too difficult to relive.

With a signet ability as powerful as a siphon, Naolin would be considered a prize among venin ranks—as it's clear the venin are drawn to those with powerful signets, like Xaden and Violet.

It is also revealed that the venin can create wyvern through the use of runes, and if Brennan was brought back to life through venin magic via Naolin, it would explain the rune symbol on his hand. I also believe that, with a signet ability as powerful as a siphon, Naolin would be considered a prize among venin ranks—as it's clear the venin are drawn to those with powerful signets, like Xaden and Violet. All of which convinces me that Naolin could be the venin sage in Iron Flame.

9 Brennan Will Betray Aretia & Navarre

Brennan May Be Under The Same Venin Control As The Wyverns

While I in no way wish for Violet to go through something this devastating, I truly believe Brennan will be revealed as a venin spy in Onyx Storm. Operating under the idea that Naolin turned venin to bring Brennan back to life, the rune on Brennan's hand could be what made his resurrection possible—with the rune acting as a life source similar to the runes used to create wyvern. In Iron Flame we learn that the wyvern are controlled by the venin who created them through the use of runes.

While runes are a means to keep wyvern alive, they are also used to help control them. I'm convinced this means Brennan is being controlled to further the venin agenda—and what better way to do that than to act as a spy among Aretia's high ranks. Aretia has long partnered with gryphon fliers in hopes of collecting enough alloy from Navarre to arm the population. However, not every drift of gryphon fliers wishes to spare Navarre from attack—and several times throughout the series it's implied they are attempting to break down Navarre's wards.

8 Violet Will Be Immune To The Venin

She May Have Been Exposed Before She Was Even Born

The venin, when drawing power from the earth, drain everything in the vicinity of life—leaving behind a section of land devoid of all color. And Violet's character description is often spoken of in similar to the life-draining abilities of the venin—with her brown-to-silver faded hair, pale eye color, and physical body more prone to strains and breaks. All of these traits are said to be caused by what killed her mother, but I believe these are actually the effects of being exposed to venin power while in the womb.

One convincing Fourth Wing theory states Violet's father was likely researching the venin before his death—and a letter from Lieutenant Colonel Nolan to General Sorrengail indicates they were looking for a cure, potentially for Lilith herself or even Violet's father. If Violet were to be exposed to the life-draining abilities of the venin before she was even born, her life would be considered a miracle.

7 Violet's Ex Will Be Revealed To Be The Crown Prince Halden

She Claims To Have Dated Someone In The Infantry

In both Fourth Wing and Iron Flame, Violet references her dating history, claiming she has had two previous relationships before Xaden—but Yarros has not yet dropped any names. Violet also confirms that at least one of her exes is in the infantry quadrant during a conversation with Xaden about her past relationships. This detail s my theory that Halden—the crown prince of Navarre—is one of Violet's exes.

Cam had to sneak into the Rider's Quadrant and use an alias in Iron Flame because King Tauri forbade his sons to enlist after the death of his heir, Alic.

The introduction of Cam Tauri in Iron Flame—who goes by the alias Aaric Greycastle—is another big indicator that the royal family will play a role in future narratives. And Violet's obvious history with Cam makes it clear she's spent a lot of time with the royal family due to her mother's position as Navarre's general. Throughout Iron Flame, Violet also struggles with feelings of inferiority when compared to Cat, knowing that both she and Xaden are of royal blood—a fact that Violet has an odd insecurity about.

6 Xaden Will Become A Full Venin Sage

Iron Flame's Epilogue Hints At His Future Struggles

While I'd like to say Xaden will be cured in Onyx Storm, Yarros' early book sneak peeks convince me otherwise. For instance, in the back cover blurb for Onyx Storm, Xaden is seemingly training a group of students at Basgiath—but his mind-to-mind conversation with Violet calls out a disturbing possibility. During the sequence, Xaden tells Violet that she's the only one capable of killing him—a clear indicator that Xaden does not feel well-equipped to control the temptations of becoming venin.

Considering Onyx Storm is only the third in a planned five-book series, I'm expecting Xaden's venin predicament will continue to progress in future Empryean Series sequels.

The back cover also highlights Violet's desperation to save Xaden, even going as far as to make an edit to Violet's addendum in the Book of Brennan—stating "I will save him" instead of the iconic "I will not die today". The epilogue in Iron Flame also points to Xaden's future struggles with becoming venin, as his conversation with Jack Barlowe proves he feels the addictive need to draw more power from the source.

5 One Of Violet's Closest Friends Or Family Will Die

This Follows A Pattern Set In Fourth Wing & Iron Flame

It's clear Yarros does not hesitate to kill off fan-favorite characters throughout the series, as both Liam's and General Sorrengail's deaths hit readers hard in Fourth Wing and Iron Flame. While these deaths on the surface are seemingly random, they actually follow a pattern Yarros set from the first book—and it makes me concerned for the fates of Violet's closest friends and family in Onyx Storm. So far, each major death has come from someone considered to be a "protector" over Violet.

It's unclear who Yarros has marked for this fate in Onyx Storm, but based on the trend, my instincts tell me it's either Mira, Dain, or a friend from Second Squad. As the war with the venin has only just begun, and the venin have marked Violet as someone they need to capture, it's likely several of these characters will take it upon themselves to protect Violet, thus putting themselves in harm's way.

4 Tairn Will Be Killed

He Has Often Proclaimed Violet Will Be His Last Rider

As devastating as this will be, I think it's highly likely Tairn won't survive the events of Onyx Storm. While I'm hoping I'm wrong, there are too many choices Yarros has made throughout the series that foreshadow such an event—specifically through the technicalities relating to Tairn and Sgaeyl's mating bond, and his proclamation of choosing Violet to be his last rider. Due to Tairn being mated to Sgaeyl, and theirs being one of the strongest seen in centuries, their lives are closely entwined.

This concept is explored often throughout the narrative, as Xaden is initially invested in Violet's survival for the sake of his own dragon in Fourth Wing, whereas their strong bond in Iron Flame restricts the amount of time they can withstand being apart, lest they die. Tairn also has stated that Violet will be his last rider—an odd sentiment considering he's relatively young. Yarros' heavy emphasis on this concept is unnerving, and in my opinion, is preparing readers for the possibility of his death.

3 Imogen's Signet Will Play A Larger Role

Yarros Teased This In Xaden's Fourth Wing Bonus Chapters

Yarros hasn't explored Imogen's character, or her signet ability, nearly at all throughout Fourth Wing or Iron Flame—but the decision to reintroduce her signet in the new Xaden bonus chapters hints she has major plans for her character in Onyx Storm. Imogen's ability to erase people's memories is one of the most powerful Fourth Wing character signets, and until the bonus chapters, was never seen in action. I believe this means Imogen's signet has been used throughout the series more than readers have yet been made aware.

In the excerpt, we learn Imogen used her signet to erase the memory of a healer who was treating her in Montserrat—all in order to escape and deliver alloy to a drift of Gryphon Fliers. It's clear Xaden was aware of this plan, but this instance calls into question other times Imogen may have used her signet ability. Because of this, I believe Imogen's signet will play a major role throughout Onyx Storm's narrative, and that Yarros has plans to reveal several past uses of her signet—whether for good or evil.

2 The Venin Want Violet Because She Has The Power To Control The Dragons

Violet's Relationship With Dragons Is Unique

On multiple occasions, the venin refer to Violet as "the one who commands the skies"—seemingly speaking to her powerful lightning signet. However, given The Empyrean Series title is named after the overarching government of dragons in Navarre—and that Empyrean itself translates to the sky, or heavens—I believe it's likely the venin want Violet for her ability to control the dragons. This is no new concept, as Violet has on many occasions spoken directly to dragons that are not her own.

Violet's relationship with the dragons throughout the series is completely unique to her character, as is seen during her interactions with the green dragons at presentation, and her ability to command Codagh—Melgren's black dragon—to fire the wards in Basgiath. In these instances, Violet is taking a risk speaking directly to the dragons. The fact that the venin have named her "the one who commands the sky," but don't specifically call out her lightning ability, convinces me Yarros is adding a double meaning to the nickname.

1 Dain's Character Will Have A Big Redemption Moment

His And Violet's Relationship Begins To Mend In Iron Flame

After Dain's massive betrayal in Fourth Wing, it's obvious throughout Iron Flame that Violet wants nothing to do with her ex-best-friend. However, Iron Flame's narrative also hints that their relationship will eventually mend—as Dain puts in a lot of effort to fix all that he has done wrong. But this doesn't necessarily mean they will restore their friendship. Instead, I believe some major event will restore their friendship, and it will happen through Dain's redemption arc in Onyx Storm.

His character did a lot of damage in Fourth Wing, but I trust Yarros will do a great job convincing Violet and readers to give his character another chance in Onyx Storm.

Dain is no longer the antagonist his character was in Fourth Wing, and once he began to accept his mistakes in Iron Flame, I knew Yarros was planning to redeem his character in the remaining Empyrean Series. However, I think his redemption will have to manifest through some major book event—like risking his own life for another, or even dying himself—to get readers, and Violet, fully on board in Onyx Storm.