Chapter 21

In Professor Hassan’s history lecture, Medra learns how the Era of Pretenders ended in Dragon Wars, the regency of four houses was restored by the Peacebringer from House Drakharrow, and that his brother succeeded him. Medra connects this to Blake, realizing Alexander Drakharrow was likely Blake’s father and that Viktor now wields disproportionate power.

Discussing it with Florence and Naveen, Medra hears rumors the other houses resent Viktor and that Alexander’s death is murky. Concerned about looming instability, she joins Florence’s Magical Foundations class taught by halfborn Professor Elowyn Wispwood, who lectures on conduits and the dangers of soul-binding, including its historical use to overtake dragon riders.

Medra presses about expelling an unwanted soul; Wispwood suggests only rare blood magic might work. After class, Wispwood evaluates Medra’s aptitude with three tests, all inconclusive—possibly due to rider blood interference. Wispwood recalls one case where separation destroyed the vampire’s soul but left the mortal alive and broken, warning of the costs and offering a Drakharrow mentorship for observation.

Walking out, Medra privately converses with her mother’s soul, Orcades, who tenderly insists she will not take Medra’s body and hints she may have already made unspecified “changes.” Before Medra can probe, an unidentified girl shoves her against a wall and flees.

Blake appears, coolly helps gather a book, and quietly reports the rescued fluffin is with a top healer. When Medra questions returning it underground and mentions Aenia’s role, Blake denies Aenia could access collapsed passages and bristles at criticism of her care, ending in a terse parting.