Bloodwing Academy, #2
The Bond That Burns
by Briar Boleyn
Contents
CHAPTER 14 - BLAKE
Overview
Blake commandeers a Defensive Arts class to humiliate Medra by forcing a spar with Laurent. Nyxaris arrives mid-bout, cowing the class and Blake. Shaken, Blake dismisses the session, discovers dragon-like scales on his forearm, and spirals into doubt about his tactics, control, and standing with Medra.
Summary
Blake, newly attached to supervise Defensive Arts, arrives early determined to reassert control over Medra Pendragon. When Medra enters with Theo and Visha, Blake publicly singles her out, mocks her missing Drakharrow insignia, and selects her to spar against Laurent to engineer her humiliation.
In the ring, Laurent presses with vampire speed while Blake taunts from the sidelines. Despite early hits, Medra adapts and lands a solid counter, disrupting Blake’s plan. Blake escalates his barbs, provoking Medra’s anger and Laurent’s aggression, leading to a painful shot to Medra’s eye and ribs.
Before the match resolves, the courtyard darkens as Nyxaris descends, fixing Blake with a contemptuous stare. Overwhelmed, Blake feels heat surge under his skin and notices a patch of shimmering scales on his forearm. Rattled by the dragon’s presence and his own transformation, he abruptly dismisses the class and withdraws.
Alone, Blake confronts a crisis of conscience. Remembering his ruthless brother Marcus and his own recent behavior, he questions his cruelty and control over Medra. He recognizes Nyxaris’s clear loyalty to Medra, fears he has already lost her to dragon and rivals, and wonders if proximity to Nyxaris caused his scales—signaling a new, troubling problem he cannot ignore.
Who Appears
- Blake DrakharrowPOV; manipulates Defensive Arts class to shame Medra, is cowed by Nyxaris, discovers scales on his arm, and questions his tactics.
- Medra PendragonTargeted to spar Laurent; holds her own under taunts and blows; her bond draws Nyxaris to intervene.
- NyxarisDuskdrake descends on the courtyard, intimidates the class and Blake, seemingly protective of Medra.
- LaurentFirst Year highblood opponent; fights aggressively, lands hits but is surprised by Medra’s counters.
- TheoStands by Medra, observes the spar, challenges Blake’s taunts with wary commentary.
- VishaSupports Medra during class, watches Blake’s maneuvering with suspicion.
- Professor SankaraAbsent for a meeting, enabling Blake to lead and stage the spar.