Bloodwing Academy, #2
The Bond That Burns
by Briar Boleyn
Contents
CHAPTER 26 - BLAKE
Overview
At the Tribunal’s coastal evaluation, Blake observes mounting political theater as Florence is seated beside regents and Viktor arrives with Blake’s fragile sister, Aenia, to ensure compliance.
Blake confronts Viktor, secures a place on the platform to protect Florence and Aenia, and braces as Nyxaris approaches.
Summary
On wind-lashed cliffs near Veilmar, Blake arrives early to the Tribunal’s evaluation field, reflecting on a tense week and a quiet night spent feeding from and comforting Medra. He surveys the gathering of highbloods and few blightborn as a platform bearing the four great houses’ banners fills.
Blake spots Professors Rodriguez and Sankara reassuring Jia Shen, then meets Theo and Visha, noting Theo’s decline. Carriages deliver the regents: Catherine Mortis seats a composed but frightened Florence, while Lysander Orphos aids Elaria Avari. Blake hesitates to approach Jia, aware of the danger surrounding Florence.
Viktor arrives with Marcus—and Aenia, Blake’s unstable young sister—prompting Blake’s fury. In a heated confrontation, Viktor reveals he brought Aenia to secure compliance from Blake, Medra, and Florence. Blake rejects Viktor’s contempt for Aenia, insisting on protecting her and warning of consequences if she’s harmed.
Blake forces the issue, demanding a seat on the platform. When Viktor relents, Blake takes Marcus’s chair, sitting between Aenia and Florence. He quietly vows protection to Florence as the crowd hushes. The chapter ends with the ominous beat of approaching wings, signaling Nyxaris’s imminent arrival.
Who Appears
- Blake DrakharrowPOV; confronts Viktor, insists on protecting Florence and Aenia, and secures a seat on the platform.
- Viktor DrakharrowBlake’s uncle; brings Aenia as leverage to ensure compliance from Blake, Medra, and Florence.
- AeniaBlake’s fragile, unstable sister; used by Viktor as leverage and seated on the platform.
- Florence ShenBlightborn student; brought by Catherine Mortis and seated on the platform, visibly frightened.
- Marcus DrakharrowBlake’s brother; escorts Aenia and relinquishes his platform seat to Blake.
- Catherine MortisRegent; arrives first and seats Florence, asserting control over the proceedings.
- Professor RodriguezOffers calm support to Jia Shen before the evaluation; aware of Florence’s role.
- Professor SankaraStands with Rodriguez, steadying Jia Shen and providing support.
- Jia ShenFlorence’s mother; terrified but present, reassured by professors before the event.
- Theo DrakharrowBlake’s cousin; checks on Medra’s whereabouts, appears thinner and subdued.
- VishaCompanion to Theo; arrives with him, tense and cold in the wind.
- Lysander OrphosAssists Elaria Avari from a carriage; emblematic of regental presence.
- Elaria AvariArrives with Lysander, representing another great house at the evaluation.