Bloodwing Academy, #2
The Bond That Burns
by Briar Boleyn
Contents
CHAPTER 42 - FLORENCE
Overview
Florence, Theo, and Visha search for Lace, discover her murdered, and are attacked by a feral Aenia; Theo kills Aenia to save Florence. A maimed Blake arrives, carrying Aenia’s body, and heads to the Dragon Court where Nyxaris struggles, Rodriguez works, and Kage restrains Medra. Marcus, with Lunaya and Catherine, confronts them with crossbows, and Florence is shot while rushing toward Medra.
Summary
After the Solstice ball winds down, Florence waits anxiously for Medra, who said she would meet Blake at the Dragon Court. Theo mentions Blake instead went to meet their uncle, heightening Florence’s unease. Visha arrives, frantic about missing Lace, and the three set out to find her.
They search the Avari tower without success and head toward the Dragon Court. A blood smear in the corridor leads them to Lace’s body. A feral, blood-smeared Aenia appears and lunges for Florence. Theo moves with highblood speed and fatally stabs Aenia from behind, saving Florence but leaving him reeling with guilt.
Blake arrives moments later, devastated and unresponsive, missing his left eye and clad in a torn, bloodied guard’s uniform. He gathers Aenia’s body and silently carries her toward the Dragon Court. Florence and Theo follow, while Visha stays, grieving over Lace.
In the Dragon Court, Nyxaris gasps for breath as Professor Rodriguez concentrates over a vial, and Kage restrains a distraught, thrashing Medra. Marcus Drakharrow enters with a vacant-eyed Lunaya Orphos and Catherine Mortis, all bearing crossbows. As Marcus raises his weapon, Florence surges forward toward Medra.
A bolt strikes Florence in the chest. Medra screams as Blake catches Florence before she hits the ground. The scene ends with Florence slipping into unconsciousness amid the standoff and chaos.
Who Appears
- FlorencePOV; searches for friends, nearly killed by Aenia, then shot in the chest protecting Medra.
- Theo DrakharrowSaves Florence by stabbing Aenia; struggles with guilt over killing a child.
- Aenia DrakharrowFeral and blood-soaked; murders Lace and attacks Florence before being killed by Theo.
- Blake DrakharrowArrives maimed, missing an eye; carries Aenia’s body and later catches the shot Florence.
- MedraRestrained by Kage in the Dragon Court, distraught; screams for Florence when she’s shot.
- VishaFrantically searches for Lace, finds her dead, remains to grieve beside the body.
- LaceFound murdered in the corridor; her death triggers the search and confrontation.
- Marcus DrakharrowArrives armed with a crossbow; initiates the deadly confrontation, shooting Florence.
- Professor RodriguezIn the Dragon Court working over a vial while Nyxaris struggles to breathe.
- KageRestrains Medra during the Dragon Court operation amid escalating danger.
- NyxarisMassive dragon, breathing raggedly as others work urgently around him.
- Catherine MortisAccompanies Marcus with a crossbow, projecting cold confidence.
- Lunaya OrphosAppears vacant and compliant, led by Marcus during the confrontation.