I shook my head. “I doubt it. She’s not usually a risk-taker, but I think I know her well enough to know this is one risk she’ll think is worth taking.”

Visha nodded. “I think so, too.”

“Good thing I’ve got you on my side,” I joked.

She smiled wryly. “Just don’t let Regan get the wrong idea.”

“We’ll talk fast,” I agreed. “I think you already know what needs to be done.”

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CHAPTER 36 - MEDRA

It was the same dream I’d had for the last seven nights in a row. Wasn’t seven some sort of a lucky number?

I lay tangled in my sheets, my body tense.

I was back in the training yard, fighting with Blake. Heart pounding. Adrenaline coursing through my veins.

I sat astride him, the weight of my body pressing against his.

But this time there was a dagger in my hand.

I pressed it to his throat.

My breathing was ragged. So was his. I could feel the pulse of his life beneath my trembling fingers.

For the first time since we’d been forced into this twisted bond, I felt truly powerful.

I was in control. I could end everything in an instant. Stop all the hatred, all the confusion.

I was filled with a strong emotion. Joy.

Or was it? Why was I hesitating?

Blake stared up at me. His gray eyes were dark with fury and hatred. But beneath it, I glimpsed a hint of fear.

I relished the weight of the blade, focused on the pale skin of his throat. He was at my mercy. All I had to do was push down.

A rush of power was building up in my chest. I’d be free of him.

I faltered. His gaze caught mine and for a split second, I saw something more there.

Raw desire.

It was like looking into a mirror. The realization struck me like a blow, the breath fleeing my lungs.

His lips twisted into a half-smile.

Slowly, he reached up and grasped my wrist. I let him.

“Do it then,” he whispered, his voice rough and taunting. “You want this, don’t you? Finish it now.”

His grip grew tighter. “But that won’t be enough, Pendragon. Haven’t you ever killed a highblood?”

He moved my hand lower, until the dagger was right over his heart.

“If you really want to end things, you’ll have to stab me in the heart.”

I gritted my teeth, every fiber of my being screaming at me to do it.

But I didn’t move.

That pause was all he needed. In a heartbeat, Blake flew into action.

Surprising me with his strength, he flipped us over, and suddenly, I was the one pinned beneath him.

He had the dagger now, his hand still around my wrist, as he pressed the blade against my throat.

His face hovered over mine. His eyes were wild. So full of hate.

I knew he’d use the knife.

I closed my eyes, the pressure of the blade against my skin intensifying. This was how it was going to end. All because I’d been too weak and too stupid to kill him when I'd had the chance.

I braced myself for the cut. Would he feed from me as my life’s blood spilled out?

Then his lips brushed my ear. “I could kill you right here, right now, little dragon.”

The words sent a jolt down my spine.

Then the pressure at my throat was gone. I heard a clattering sound as he tossed the dagger away.

“You had your chance to end this,” he growled, his breath hot against my skin. “You failed. And now...you’re mine.”

Then his lips were on mine.

The kiss was rough. Urgent. Possessive. Everything I’d been denying I wanted.

For a heartbeat, I froze.

My first instinct was to push him away.  But in the next moment, I felt my hands betray me. I clutched his shirt, pulling him closer instead.

I was furious with myself. In my head, I knew he was no good for me. But my body knew what it wanted and was refusing to deny it for another second.

Heat coiled low in my stomach and the need I’d been fighting for so long surged to the surface.

I was lost in the kiss, lost in him. The way he kissed me was commanding–a storm of anger and desire. Every nerve in my body screamed with need, my mind spinning from the intensity of it.

I could think, couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t resist him.

Blake’s hands slid down my body, his fingers brushing the exposed skin of my waist, leaving a trail of heat in their wake.

My hands tangled in his hair, pulling him closer against me, as my mind screamed at me to stop.

His tongue slid against mine, sending a bolt of lightning through my body, and I moaned.

His fingers roamed over me, finding their way beneath my clothes. His hands cupped my breasts and I shivered, arching upwards, silently begging for more.

“You’re mine,” he growled against my lips.

I hated myself for how much I wanted it to be true.

“I hate you,” I whispered, even as my body melted with his touch.

His teeth grazed my lower lips and I felt his fangs, reminding me just how dangerous he truly was.

His dark voice filled with cruel satisfaction. “You could never hate me as much as you want me.”

And then his hands were tugging my trousers down and his fingers were between my legs, slipping into the wet space between my thighs. I trembled against him as he slid in and out of me, bringing me closer and closer to the edge.

The dream shifted violently.

The training yard quaked.

I looked around in terror as the stone walls surrounding us began to crack and crumble, pieces of rock breaking off and tumbling to the ground.

“What is this? What’s happening?” I demanded.

Blake looked down at me, his gray eyes strong and steady. “The dragons are coming.”

My heart slammed against my chest as the walls collapsed, revealing a dark gaping space beyond.

A shape moved, massive and terrifying.

A dragon–huge and ancient and filled with unspeakable power–rose from the wreckage of the wall, its wings spreading wide, its glowing yellow eyes locked on me.

The beast let out a deafening roar.

I opened my mouth to scream and the sound of my own voice tore me from the dream with a jolt.

My eyes flew open.

I tossed my legs around, trying to untangle them from the wreckage of my blankets, my heart still racing from the nightmare.

Something was wrong.

The room was shaking. The First Year tower trembled as if it would crumble apart, just like in my dream.

I shot out of bed, my feet hitting the cold floor as I stumbled towards the door and ran down the hall towards Florence’s room.

Naveen was already there. He had a hand against the wall, bracing himself.

“What the fuck is happening?” I shouted.

The shaking stopped.

Florence’s door flew open. She stood there in a white nightdress, her black hair loose around her shoulders. Her eyes were wide and frightened.

Other students had come out into the hallway. The corridor filled with the sound of panicked voices.

I saw Vaughn Sabino come to stand near Naveen. His arm had been out of the sling for a week now.

“Quiet everyone,” Florence called, raising her voice to be heard over the din. “Quiet please.”

Slowly all the First Years turned towards her.

“I’m not sure where the other First Year Warden is,” Florence said. Her voice was calm. I glanced at Naveen, knowing only he and I could probably tell how nervous she still was. “But I need you all to be quiet and to listen to me.”

“Probably drunk or being sucked,” I heard Naveen mutter to Vaughn. The other warden, Thomas, didn’t take his duties as seriously as Florence. I wasn’t sure why he’d even been selected. Then I’d found out he was a thrall to one of the students in House Avari. That was probably why. Maybe he was busy with his highblood right now.

The First Years had all turned towards Florence.

“Thank you. Now, please listen. The tower is not going to fall,” Florence reassured them, her voice firm. “This castle was built centuries ago and was enchanted to withstand almost anything. Even dragon attacks.” Her lips twitched a little. “And I think we all know there’s no need to worry about one of those.”