“They stole her blood, cheated death because they were too selfish to help her save the world, and were turned into vampires,” I translated.

Florence grimaced. “That’s one way of looking at it. Not an interpretation I’d ever bring up in Professor Hassan’s class.”

I laughed. “I’ll remember not to.”

“Anyhow, some of the demigoddess’s brothers and sisters refused to drink her blood.”

“I don’t blame them,” I chimed in unhelpfully. “Gross.”

“Gross but powerful,” Florence countered. I thought of what Naveen had said. About how Florence harbored great ambitions and might have been happy to be selected as a highblood’s consort. I wondered if it was true. “The brothers and sisters who did not drink remained mortal. A lower life form.”

“Blightborn,” I supplied.

“Right. They were looked down on at first. Then came the histories you’ve already heard in Professor Hassan’s class.”

“The highbloods were the blightborns’ salvation.” I snorted. “I remember.”

“Regardless of what you believe,” Florence went on. “Highbloods and blightborn revere the Bloodmaiden. There are temples devoted to her across Sangratha. Some women even enter into her service and live their entire lives there.” She shot me a curious glance. “Did you know Blake Drakharrow’s mother is in the Sanctum?”

“At a temple?” I said in surprise. “No. How would I have known that? Why?” I was surprised a woman from such a powerful family and house would choose to enter into a life of seclusion.

“When her husband died, she left her family. As far as everyone knows, that’s where she went. To the Bloodmaid’s Sanctum. The most sacred temple in Sangratha. No one has seen her since. I assume Blake and his family are in touch with her somehow though.”

“I don’t like the sound of having to give blood at this place,” I said with a groan.

“It’s not so bad. You’ll see. Naveen and I can go first. You can watch... us...” Florence yawned.

“We should go to sleep,” I said guiltily, remembering how hard she’d been studying. “You need your rest.”

“Sounds good,” Florence said dreamily.

The room was quiet for a while. Then she spoke again. “Who do you think I should go with, Medra?”

“Naveen,” I said promptly. “You’ll have fun with Naveen.”

“I’m sure you’re right.” She yawned again. “Even though he probably only asked me because he thought no one else had. He had a girlfriend back home, you know.”

“I know,” I said. “But they broke up, right?”

But there was no answer. Florence had fallen asleep.

In another few minutes, so did I.

There were no more dragons in my dreams that night.

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CHAPTER 37 - MEDRA

A few weeks passed by.

Wintermark term exams came and went.

I’d passed all of my classes. I’d even surprised myself with some of my marks. I’d received a C (Commendable) in Restoration with Professor Rodriguez. Part of me thought he was as surprised as I was. I couldn’t do healing magic, but the theory was fascinating and I was excited to get into more alchemy work in the next part of the course. I’d gotten the highest mark possible in Basic Combat for Blightborns–an E for Excellent, and another Commendable in Advanced Weaponry with Professor Sankara, which I thought was more than fair considering the incident with Blake.

The only class I’d received the second-to-last lowest mark possible, a W for Weak, was History of Sangratha. The class itself was engrossing. Professor Hassan’s lectures were usually full of interesting historical tidbits. But she’d hated me since that first day I’d arrived late and no matter how I tried to keep out of her way and no matter how hard I worked on my essays, nothing improved. She’d actually failed me on one paper and accused me of plagiarism. So I was thrilled to have passed with a W. It was better than flunking out completely.

Florence’s marks were all stellar which was no surprise. Es across the board. And Naveen seemed happy with his marks, too, though he wouldn’t show them to us.

Ever since Florence had accepted his invitation to the ball, he’d been looking a little high strung. But I put that down to his nervousness over the Dance of the Longest Night. Not only was he worried about his solo but now Florence would be there on his arm.

Since the night of the second quake, my dreams had changed.

Blake had been banished. He’d been replaced by the dragon.

The dreams were all pretty much the same. Bloodwing was crumbling around me. Sometimes I was running through the halls and trying to save Florence or Naveen or Vaughn or other random blightborn students.

All while a huge dragon with massive flapping wings rose up out of the rubble, roaring all the while.

There had been a few more tremors, but they’d happened during the daytime and Florence had been right–none of the professors seemed very concerned.

Now we’d reached the last day of term. It was lunchtime. I walked down the corridor with Florence towards the refectory, my breath fogging in the chilly air.

The weather had turned bitingly sharp and a heavy snow covered the campus. But despite the cold, Bloodwing was buzzing with anticipation for the upcoming school break and the Frostfire Festival. Most of the First Year students seemed to be staying at school for the break rather than returning home.

While Naveen and Florence were going to the Dance of the Longest Night together, I had no date for the ball. No one had even asked me. But I was determined not to get in their way by being a third wheel.

I’d told Florence I’d found out I had to go with Blake and Regan. It was a lie, but she’d bought it. Now I could stay out of the way and let her and Naveen get in some alone time. I’d be fine on my own. I’d play the wallflower, staying on the sidelines and watching the dancing, participating only if I absolutely had to. Then I’d leave as early as was acceptable.

As we rounded a corner, my thoughts still wandering, I stopped dead in my tracks as a tall figure stepped out of the shadows, blocking our path.

Another instant and I’d recognized who it was.

Kage Tanaka.

The highblood house leader had an oversized presence. He was nearly as tall as Blake. He stood with his back straight, legs spread in a rigid posture that spoke of someone used to maintaining authority. His white-blond hair, gathered in a bun at the back of his head, with the sides shaved close, gave him a fierce, edgy look. His crescent moon tattoo peeked up over the high collar of his black, silver trimmed jacket.

“Miss Pendragon.” His voice was rich and smooth. But there was a sharp edge underneath that told me not to underestimate him. “I wondered if I might have a moment of your time?” He glanced at Florence. “Alone.”

Florence looked at me questioningly. When I nodded, she slipped down the hall ahead of us. I knew she’d grab a table in the refectory and wait for me.

“Kage,” I said, my voice wary. “What do you want?”

“Medra, isn’t it? Such a beautiful name. May I have your permission to use it?”

I hesitated. “I suppose so.”

It would be a refreshing change from Blake constantly snapping “Pendragon.”

He smiled. “Thank you, Medra. I’ve been watching you for quite some time now.”

My head spun at this revelation. “Have you? Why?” I thought of that night at the bonfire. Kiernan had claimed Kage wanted us to join him. It had seemed to be true, but I hadn’t thought anything of it since then.

The leader of House Avari gave me a small, knowing smile. “Let's just say I admire your spirit. It’s rare to see someone so...unyielding.”

“Unyielding towards highbloods, you mean?”

He nodded. “If you want to put it that way. You stand apart here. Others in your position might have broken.”

“I don’t break easily,” I snapped. Though it had been a close call at times.