Chapter 15

Two weeks after matriculating, Medra acclimates to Bloodwing Academy’s labyrinthine beauty while researching dragons. She learns riders often died by their own dragons and that dragons upended highblood houses, sharpening her skepticism about past power structures.

In her first thrallguard session, Professor Rodriguez claims the art likely originated with mortals and explains why riders were taught to resist control. He then tests Medra by pressing into her mind, easily breaching surface memories. Fear rises as Medra recalls past violation, and Rodriguez instructs her to build adaptable defenses rather than rely on brute force.

Rodriguez introduces mental partitioning: constructing decoy surface thoughts while hiding what matters. Under his gentle probing, Medra imagines a first thin wall and holds it, though Rodriguez admits he could break it if he wished. He outlines next steps—disguising partitions with false memories and appearing ordinary—to divert attackers.

Over the following weeks, Rodriguez escalates pressure; Medra’s walls repeatedly collapse, leaving her anxious but gradually more controlled. The training’s invasiveness rekindles trauma and fear of exposure, yet Rodriguez insists she has potential and that mastery will prevent future violations.

One restless night after a harsh session, Medra paces the First Year common room while Florence studies and Naveen sleeps. Spying a bonfire on the beach—Theo’s gathering—she chooses to go, driven by agitation and a need for release, signaling a tentative step toward new alliances.