Bloodwing Academy, #2
The Bond That Burns
by Briar Boleyn
Contents
CHAPTER 3 - BLAKE
Overview
Blake meets Viktor in the Black Keep, where Viktor rages that Medra resisted his thrall. He orders Blake to manipulate Medra emotionally, gather intelligence, and keep her compliant while avoiding open conflict with House Avari. Blake reveals a blood-bond and vows to sever Kage’s influence. Viktor hints at concealed, dangerous dragon-rider histories, foreshadowing looming war.
Summary
In the Black Keep, Blake endures Viktor Drakharrow’s anger that Medra resisted his mental assault using thrallguard. Viktor demands to know who authorized her training and derides past leniencies, emphasizing that a rider who woke a dragon cannot be underestimated.
Viktor weighs torture but hesitates because Medra claims Nyxaris would know. Concluding they need the dragon and Medra as its conduit, Viktor orders Blake to uncover everything about her, keep her obedient, and report progress. The implicit threat is that Viktor will resort to harsher methods if Blake fails.
Turning to personal leverage, Viktor tells Blake to exploit Medra’s feelings, noting that she believes Blake cares. Discussion of the Frostfire ball reveals Kage Tanaka’s encroachment; Blake, admitting a blood-bond with Medra, vows to keep Kage away, even as Viktor forbids killing Avari to avoid war.
As Viktor circles Blake, he warns that riders and dragons have always been more dangerous than acknowledged and alludes to buried histories. He dismisses Blake to focus on the task, while Blake leaves unsettled, sensing imminent conflict and wondering what truths died with the dragons.
Who Appears
- BlakeViktor’s nephew; ordered to emotionally manipulate and control Medra, admits a blood-bond, vows to block Kage.
- Viktor DrakharrowHouse leader; furious Medra resisted, plans coercion, directs Blake to keep her compliant, hints at hidden histories.
- Medra PendragonAbsent focus of strategy; resisted Viktor with thrallguard, claimed Nyxaris would know torture, emotionally targeted by Blake.
- Kage TanakaRival suitor and political threat; took Medra to the Frostfire ball, warned off by Blake under Viktor’s orders.
- NyxarisAwakened dragon; central asset, potential awareness deters Viktor’s torture plans.