Chapter 7

After punitive work in Restoration costs her lunch, Medra scrambles to Advanced Weaponry with Florence’s warning that it’s a dangerous, vampire-only upper-year class—likely a timetable sabotage. In the courtyard, Blake temporarily supervises until Professor Sankara arrives; highbloods arm themselves, and Visha taunts Medra into sparring.

Medra chooses a spear and is immediately pressured by Visha’s superior speed. Memories of her fallen mentor Odessa and a burning need to prove herself steady Medra’s focus. Observed by onlookers—and Blake—she shifts tactics, leveraging reach and endurance to anticipate attacks, then disarms Visha and demands a yield.

As Medra turns to leave, Visha cheap-shots her: choking, pummeling, grinding dirt into her eyes, flashing fangs, and drawing a concealed knife. Professor Sebastian Sankara arrives, declares Visha cheated, halts the fight, and orders civility. Bruised and possibly with broken ribs, Medra refuses Visha’s proffered hand.

Sankara confirms Medra wasn’t on the roster and notes the class is typically vampires-only, yet praises her spearwork and courage, suggesting precedent for riders training alongside vampires. Blake objects, but Sankara challenges his judgment and implies Blake purposely let Medra prove herself. Sankara proposes advocating for a unique curriculum with the headmaster and orders Blake to escort Medra to the Drakharrow healer before the library session and the Commencement Address.