Chapter 13

Medra enters the vast Bloodwing Library seeking help for the soul in her head, Orcades. She meets librarian Jia Shen (Florence’s mother), who is kind but immediately targeted by Drakharrow students Visha and Quinn, who knock books from her trolley. Theo lingers, awkwardly helping pick some up. Medra assists Jia and learns that blightborn staff are common targets and that resisting highbloods can be dangerous.

Medra asks Jia for resources on curses and souls. Jia guides her toward blood magic and necromancy texts, suggesting Blake as a source, which Medra refuses. As Medra studies, Orcades comments from within, and Blake passes with Regan, who clings to him, deliberately unsettling Medra.

Medra’s research reveals summoning or imbuing souls is known, but stable, nonlethal separation is rare; most hosts die when souls depart. Orcades insists their bond is unlike necromancy, forged by love rather than power. Theo approaches to apologize for aiding Regan’s earlier schemes and invites Medra to a beach bonfire; Medra criticizes his friends’ bullying and declines.

Later, Blake confronts Medra at her table, teasing and prying into her dragon reading. When Medra demands to know why she was brought to this world and to him, Blake deflects and claims dragons were even more brutal than highbloods. After he leaves, Medra, provoked, redoubles her interest in dragons, determined to learn what power might balance the highbloods.