Chapter 49

After classes, Medra broods over Blake’s revelation that Aenia is his turned foulblood and senses a new, unsettling pull from drinking his blood. She weighs Blake’s guilt against his ruthlessness, fearing his loyalty to Aenia could worsen the danger as the girl’s mind deteriorates.

Seeking distraction, Medra heads to the First Year common room and finds Naveen despondent. He confides that he failed one class and received two Weaks, risking expulsion or indenture to a highblood house; shame and family debt loom if he is merely sent home. Medra promises discretion as Florence and Vaughn arrive, and the group chats about Basic Combat and impending stealth training under Professor Stonefist.

In the refectory, Medra pointedly ignores Blake, questioning whether he lied about the Consort Games’ timing. Exhausted, she returns to her room, still mulling Naveen’s plight and whether Blake’s “leverage” gift—his secret about Aenia—should be used against him despite the lethal consequences.

At night, Medra speaks with Orcades in Coregon’s dagger and notices her mother’s voice growing distant, as if fading toward madness. Medra promises to keep the dagger close and wonders if Professor Rodriguez might help, but guilt and uncertainty persist.

As sleep takes her, a hand clamps over Medra’s mouth and a sweet, sickly cloth forces her unconscious. She is drugged and abducted before she can fight back, leaving her fate unknown.