Bloodwing Academy, #1
On Wings of Blood
by Briar Boleyn
Contents
Chapter 1
Overview
Medra awakens in a strange land atop a corpse pile and is seized by Prince Drakharrow after he kills his own man, Barnabas. Forced toward the capital Veilmar, she learns her captors are vampires and that her red hair and pointed ears make her significant to their court. Drakharrow declares she belongs to Sangratha, setting a power struggle over her identity and fate.
Summary
Medra resurrects in a foreign land, gasping back to life atop a heap of corpses. A ratlike soldier, Barnabas, discovers her and attempts to bite her, but a commanding voice intervenes. A crossbow bolt decapitates Barnabas, and Medra confronts her rescuer-captor: a young, arrogant commander who orders her clothed and bound.
Forced to march before his horse, Medra spars verbally with the commander, who is revealed to be Prince Drakharrow. He ignores her refusal to accompany them and binds her for transport. Lucius, a spectacled subordinate, fixates on Medra’s red hair and urges Drakharrow to present her to the court, implying political significance.
As they approach the coastal capital of Veilmar, Medra sees three island fortresses, including a black onyx castle toward which they head. Drakharrow confirms vampires exist, displaying fangs and explaining they can walk in daylight and live long lives. He calls mortals “blightborn,” notes Medra’s pointed ears and unusual appearance, and hints at additional distinguishing traits.
Despite Medra’s protests and sarcasm, Drakharrow asserts that by Sangratha’s law she belongs to any highblood who claims her, and that the court will decide her fate. Parched and chained, Medra falls silent as they skirt Veilmar and set course for the onyx castle in the central island, her value and danger now unmistakable.
Who Appears
- MedraProtagonist; resurrected in a foreign land, nearly attacked, then captured and marched to Veilmar; marked by red hair and pointed ears.
- Prince DrakharrowYoung vampire prince and commander; kills Barnabas, binds Medra, reveals vampire nature, and claims Medra belongs to Sangratha.
- LuciusSpectacled subordinate; excitable and deferential, highlights Medra’s red hair and urges presenting her to the court.
- BarnabasRatlike soldier who tries to bite Medra; decapitated by Drakharrow’s crossbow for disobeying orders.