He was one of the oldest vampires alive and possibly the strongest.

I spit out a mouthful of blood on the stone floor and considered, just for a moment, lashing out.

But I knew better. I stood no chance against Viktor.

Another blow came. This one a swift strike to my gut.

I doubled over, gasping for breath.

“You’ve embarrassed me,” Viktor snarled, stepping closer. “You’ve embarrassed this House.”

“Seems to be the theme of my day,” I quipped, then instantly regretted it as Viktor’s fist collided with my jaw again.

I struggled to stand straight, trying to push the nausea and dizziness away. But Viktor’s words dug in deep.

“You've made a spectacle of yourself,” Viktor snarled, his voice cold and biting. “Fighting with your betrothed in front of the entire academy."

I’d told Headmaster Kim that I’d started the fight.

Coregon Phiri was probably the only one who’d been close enough to witness what had really happened.

Fortunately he was now dead.

For a moment, I’d been tempted to tell Kim the truth. That I’d been defending myself. That I’d even held back. Pendragon had probably walked out of that training yard with a few bruises but otherwise not a scratch on her.

But the idea of Pendragon being summoned here to face my uncle’s wrath instead of me made my chest tighten. I wouldn’t subject her to it, no matter how much she might deserve it. I knew what Viktor was capable of. I wouldn't let her face that.

So instead, I’d lied.

I’d known Viktor would summon me. Though I hadn’t expected it to be quite so soon.

“I was putting her in her place,” I said. “She disrespected me and I dealt with it.”

Viktor's expression twisted with anger. “You dealt with it? You made it worse. Knocking her around in private would have been one thing.” Of course it would have. That was the norm in our family. At least, ever since Viktor had become its head. “Now that I could have condoned. But you fought her in public. The entire school thinks you can't control your own betrothed. A blightborn woman no less.” He spat the word as if it were toxic. I knew he valued Pendragon’s blood. That didn’t mean he didn’t simultaneously despise her.

My fists tightened at my sides. I knew what Viktor wanted to hear me say–that I’d failed. That I was sorry.

I couldn’t bring myself to do it.

“She could have been expelled for that fight,” Viktor continued, his fury plainly growing. “The Drakharrows have given buckets of gold to that fucking school. But Kim still runs it the way he sees fit. He could have had her executed. And I wouldn’t have been able to prevent it. I wouldn’t have learned of it in time.”

“But she wasn't,” I snapped. “He would have had to consult the board for something like that. Besides, I told Kim it was my fault. She’s fine.” I couldn’t help adding sullenly, “I didn’t ask for this, you know. I didn't ask for her.”

Viktor backhanded me without a word.

He patiently waited while I wiped the blood off my face before he spoke again.

“I’ve held back today. You must be wondering why,” he said. “The only reason I’m not beating you into the ground right now is because of what I heard about a certain blightborn boy walking around with some severe injuries.” There was a gleam of satisfaction in Viktor’s eyes. “I told you to put your cousin in his place. You did the next best thing. I hear you did quite a number on the boy.”

I froze, my stomach twisting. I hadn’t touched Vaughn Sabino. Coregon had been the one responsible. But Coregon was dead now. If he’d had been telling the truth, Marcus was the one who’d actually instructed Coregon to attack Vaughn. But evidently Marcus had gone behind my uncle’s back when he’d talked to Coregon. Anything to make me look weak.

“Yeah,” I muttered. “I told you I’d take care of it.”

Viktor nodded, pleased. “Good. I won’t have your cousin shaming this family. You did Theo a favor. The only thing I don’t understand is why you didn’t include him in your punishment. Or why you let the mortal boy live.”

I shrugged. “Sabino’s disfigured now. He might even lose the use of his arm. I thought he could be a warning to anyone else Theo might try to...entice,” I lied, feeling sick inside.

Viktor nodded. “Fine. We’ll try it your way. But another wrong move and Theo will find himself before me. You’re welcome to tell him so.”

I balled my hands into fists so tightly the nails bit into my palms. I hated how casually Viktor spoke about Theo and Vaughn, as if they were disposable. But I couldn’t let my real emotions show. Not now. Theo was my responsibility and I had to protect him.

“Of course, then there’s the matter of Kiernan O’Rourke,” my uncle said. His face darkened once more and I knew I was in for it.

“Kiernan? What the fuck was wrong with what I did to Kiernan?” I asked in disbelief. “I thought you'd be happy about that.”

“Happy?” Viktor roared. “His father was a valuable ally. Now you’ve destroyed that relationship with your hotheadedness.”

I stared at him. “But the O’Rourkes are with House Avari...”

“Allegiances can change,” Viktor snapped. In other words, Lord O’Rourke was a spy for Viktor. Or had been. “You have no idea the relationships I’ve been cultivating. The bonds I’ve been forging. All to strengthen this house, all to protect this family.”

To strengthen himself. To gain more power for himself. Viktor Drakharrow only cared about one man and one man only. He was nothing like my father. And yet his power rested on my father’s legacy.

He probably had spies in each of the other three houses. I wondered how many he had in Bloodwing, all scurrying back to tell tales about me to him.

“Kiernan was threatening to drink Pendragon. He disrespected me. I had to act,” I said, meeting Viktor's gaze and refusing to back down.

The truth was, I’d lost control that night. When he’d touched Pendragon’s blood, I’d seen red. Kiernan was doomed from that moment forward.

Kage Tanaka had understood that. Which was why he hadn’t intervened. Kiernan had been an embarrassment to House Avari.

Or, the thought occurred to me, perhaps the Avaris had learned about the O’Rourkes’ disloyalty. Had I punished Kiernan so Kage didn’t have to? That would put a twist on things. I scowled.

“Did you?” Viktor sneered. “Or did you just want to throw your weight around like a fool? Now I have to clean up your mess. You don’t think, Blake. You act without considering the consequences. You should be thankful I gave you the dragon rider bitch in the first place. Anyone else would have been grateful. Do you know the strength that lies in that blood of hers?”

Something in Viktor's voice made me pause. Something was off here but I couldn’t put my finger on it.

Then I recognized it for what it was. Hunger.

My uncle was hungry for Pendragon. He was jealous. Jealous of me. That...was not a good thing.

I kept my voice steady. “I didn’t ask for her. Give her to someone else if she’s so valuable,” I bluffed.

Now that I’d caught a glimpse of Viktor’s own lust for Pendragon, I knew what would happen if I seemed too eager to keep the prize I’d been given.

“No,” Viktor said, his lip curling. “She’s yours now. But you will keep her in line using more subtlety in the future, or I’ll be forced to handle her myself.”

Just the idea of my uncle handling Pendragon made me want to vomit.

I clenched my jaw, anger simmering just below the surface, threatening to boil over.

Viktor abruptly shifted topics, saving me from myself. “There's unrest in the cities. The masses have been stirring. There are whispers of rebellion. Faint, but at times, I worry our control over them is weakening slightly.”

I stayed silent, but my stomach twisted. I knew what Viktor meant by ‘control.’ A subtle, insidious magic, a lower form of thrallweave, kept the mortals compliant and worshipful.