New Onyx Storm Reveal Makes One Of The Biggest Violet Theories From Fourth Wing A Lot More Likely

A new excerpt from Onyx Storm reveals what’s coming in the next Fourth Wing sequel, and it makes one of the biggest theories about Violet Sorrengail a lot more likely to come true. On the heels of Iron Flame‘s shocking ending, readers are eager to get their hands on the next installment of Rebecca Yarros’ Empyrean Series. With Xaden becoming a venin, the stakes feel higher than ever heading into Onyx Storm. And it looks like Violet and her friends will have bigger concerns than Xaden’s transformation.




A three-page Onyx Storm excerpt published in Cosmo UK details a venin attack, confirming that the upcoming sequel will be as action-packed and suspenseful as many are expecting. Things look dire for Violet and her fellow dragon riders as they protect Jack Barlowe — yes, you read that right — from an onslaught of venin. There’s much to discuss about Onyx Storm‘s excerpt, but one strange detail stands out. Violet sees something that no one else seems to, and it could confirm a long-running Empyrean Series theory.


Onyx Storm’s Excerpt Reveals A Venin With Silver Hair

Violet Sees This Venin Briefly Before She Disappears


In the midst of fighting off venin in Onyx Storm‘s excerpt, Violet Sorrengail briefly sees one with silver hair — but she vanishes as suddenly as she appears. The silver-haired venin is seemingly present as several of them descend on Jack’s cell. Violet notes, “Her long silver braid swings free of her hood as her attention whips in our direction.” The venin smiles at Violet, but then Onyx Storm‘s heroine states that she “disappears.” It doesn’t seem like anyone around Violet notices this venin’s presence, raising questions about why Violet is seeing her.

Onyx Storm
hits shelves on January 21, 2025.


Violet questions if she’s hallucinating after the silver-haired venin disappears, but there’s no way Yarros’ inclusion of this moment is coincidental. The fact that the venin has hair similar to Violet’s likely has a deeper meaning, as does the fact that Violet is the only one who notices her. Readers may not learn the truth behind this mysterious venin until Onyx Storm finally debuts. However, this tease from the book’s excerpt suggests that several theories about Fourth Wing‘s heroine could be true — including one of the biggest and most popular.

Onyx Storm Makes A Connection Between The Silver-Haired Venin & Violet

Rebecca Yarros Notes Violet’s Silver Braid Not Long After

Art by @hachandraws

Readers are clearly supposed to draw a connection between Violet and the silver-haired venin, as Yarros makes note of Violet’s own silver braid not long after she sees this mysterious enemy. Just a few paragraphs later, Yarros has one of the dark wielders note that they can’t go after “the silver hair,” referring to Violet. It’s clear from the mysterious venin’s description alone that she mirrors Onyx Storm‘s heroine when it comes to her appearance. However, the fact that Yarros focuses on Violet’s hair during this scene doubles down on the similarity.


This means Violet and the silver-haired venin she sees are likely connected in some way. The venin’s smirk further affirms this, as does the fact that Violet seems so unnerved by her. Violet may recognize their resemblance, while the venin appears to be taunting her. And as Violet’s silver hair isn’t exactly common, this Onyx Storm addition will have to connect back to her in some way. It’s possible that Violet really is seeing things during this passage, but a common Fourth Wing theory about her father could point to another reason this venin has silver hair.

Is The Silver-Haired Venin A Clue That Violet’s Dad Was Also A Venin?

The covers of the Empyrean Series books
Custom image by Yailin Chacon


The theory that Mr. Sorrengail was a venin is a popular one among Fourth Wing‘s fandom, and it’s been used to explain Violet’s partly silver hair. We know that Violet’s mother fell ill while she was pregnant with her, and this is how Fourth Wing explains that the ends of her hair are silver. The theory that Mr. Sorrengail was a venin takes this a step further, suggesting that the two things could be related. If Violet’s father was a venin when Violet was conceived, it’s possible this is why Lilith felt so drained during her pregnancy.

Violet’s silver hair may be understated because she’s not actually a venin but an offspring of one.


This twist could also explain why Violet’s parents were researching the cure for being a venin. And with a venin with silver hair appearing in Onyx Storm‘s excerpt, it’s possible there is a correlation between venin and this physical trait. Violet’s silver hair may be understated because she’s not actually a venin but an offspring of one. This could just as easily fuel evidence that Lilith was a venin, another Fourth Wing theory that’s been tossed around ahead of Onyx Storm‘s release.

book cover imagery of Onyx Storm and Powerless and From Blood and Ash

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Of course, being a venin doesn’t seem to have changed the color of Xaden’s or Jack’s hair, so we’ll have to wait and see if there’s any connection based on the silver braid. There are other possible explanations for what Violet sees during this Onyx Storm chapter, from foreshadowing to her still unknown second signet.


What Else Could The Silver Haired Venin Mean In Onyx Storm?

It Could Be Foreshadowing Or A Hint About Violet’s Second Signet

Fan art of Violet crossing the Parapet in Fourth Wing
Art by @aokiart_

The silver-haired venin could be a hint about Violet’s father being venin, but she could just as easily be something that only Violet can see. Judging by the lack of reactions to her fleeting presence, it’s possible she really isn’t there. Perhaps Violet is seeing some twisted, futuristic version of herself, foreshadowing her own turn to the dark side. This could be the result of her second signet, or it could be a manifestation of her fears after Xaden’s turn.

Onyx Storm and Fourrth Wing book covers against a red geometric background

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The silver-haired venin could also be an indication of Violet’s second signet, which still hasn’t been confirmed. One Fourth Wing theory posits that Violet can see and speak to the dead, hence her interactions with Liam during her interrogation in Iron Flame. It’s unclear if something like this would apply to venin, but if so, it would offer a fitting explanation for her seeing this enemy when no one else can. This isn’t the only possible second signet that could have such an effect, either.

Some readers believe that distance-wielding will be Violet’s second signet, so these two could see each other from afar while no one else can.


This mysterious venin could also be a dark distance-wielder, potentially serving as a mirror to Violet. Some readers believe that distance-wielding will be Violet’s second signet, so these two could be traveling large distances to one another without Violet realizing it. This would be an interesting twist in Onyx Storm, though it wouldn’t necessarily explain why this venin looks so similar to Violet. There’s clearly a deeper meaning to their matching silver braids, but it’s one only Yarros can reveal when the new Fourth Wing book arrives.