Bloodwing Academy, #1
On Wings of Blood
by Briar Boleyn
Contents
Chapter 25
Overview
Blake endures Viktor’s violent reprimand for publicly fighting Medra and killing Kiernan, while Viktor wrongly credits Blake for Vaughn’s maiming. Viktor reveals civic unrest and reliance on subtle control magic, insisting Medra be kept as a controlled symbol who must never leave. He sends Blake with a message for Aenia from the Sanctum.
Summary
After surviving Coregon’s ambush at the House Leader ceremony, Blake is summoned by his uncle Viktor and beaten for publicly fighting his betrothed, Medra Pendragon. Blake had told Headmaster Kim he started the fight to shield Medra from Viktor’s wrath, and he maintains a facade of contrition while nursing fresh wounds.
Viktor condemns the spectacle and, satisfied by rumors that Vaughn Sabino was maimed, mistakenly credits Blake. Blake lies, accepting the credit to protect his cousin Theo from Viktor’s threats. Viktor then lambastes Blake for killing Kiernan O’Rourke, revealing Kiernan’s father was a covert Drakharrow ally and that Blake’s impulsiveness jeopardized careful political ties.
As Viktor’s hunger for Medra’s blood surfaces, Blake downplays his attachment to avoid provoking jealousy. Viktor shifts to strategy: unrest is spreading in the cities, maintained only by a subtle thrallweave over mortals that Bloodwing’s wards partially disrupt. He insists Medra be kept at school, tightly controlled as a symbol of Drakharrow power, never allowed to leave.
Blake realizes Viktor is unaware of Medra’s sanctioned thrallguard training and keeps that advantage hidden. When Blake raises concern about rising killings in Veilmar, Viktor dismisses the blightborn deaths and blames the “new way” of restraint. Concluding the meeting, Viktor mentions visiting the Sanctum and instructs Blake to tell Aenia that Blake’s mother sends her love.
Who Appears
- Blake DrakharrowProtagonist; beaten by Viktor, lies to protect Theo, hides Medra’s training, and endures pressure to control Medra.
- Viktor DrakharrowHouse head; brutalizes Blake, reveals political ties, plans to keep Medra as a controlled symbol, notes rising unrest.
- Medra PendragonBlake’s betrothed; subject of Viktor’s control plans and jealousy; must be kept at school and never allowed to leave.
- Headmaster KimReceives Blake’s claim he started the fight, preventing Medra’s harsher punishment.
- Vaughn SabinoBlightborn student maimed by Coregon; Viktor wrongly believes Blake ordered it.
- Theo DrakharrowBlake’s cousin; under threat from Viktor; central to the lie protecting him.
- Kiernan O’RourkeKilled by Blake; his death damages a covert alliance through his father.
- Lord O’RourkeSecret Drakharrow ally whose ties are imperiled by Kiernan’s death.
- Marcus DrakharrowImplied to have ordered Coregon’s attack on Vaughn without Viktor’s knowledge.
- Kage TanakaHouse Avari leader mentioned as having tolerated Kiernan until his disgrace.
- Coregon PhiriAttacked Vaughn and ambushed Blake; now dead, leaving Blake to face Viktor alone.
- AeniaOff-page; recipient of a message from the Sanctum that Blake’s mother sends her love.