Contents
Chapter 6
Overview
Blake learns Regan has installed alumni "Bloodguards," escalating tensions. He and Theo confront Aenia’s death, revealing Blake turned her and finding uneasy forgiveness. During Defensive Arts, Pendragon savages Larissa until Blake intervenes; Sankara acknowledges Pendragon’s prowess. Blake escorts Pendragon away and warns her that killing a highblood would bring fatal consequences.
Summary
Blake starts his morning in the Drakharrow common room, noting the privileged comforts and new norms he has enforced. Theo informs him that Regan paraded through with her newly formed alumni “Bloodguards,” many linked to Marcus and House Mortis, signaling Viktor’s influence and looming crackdowns.
The cousins discuss risks to blightborn and Theo’s boyfriend Vaughn. Their talk turns to Aenia: Theo confesses killing her during the recent catastrophe and fears Blake’s retribution. Blake, wrestling with his inner dragon and guilt, reveals Theo spared him a duty he believed he would have had to perform. Blake admits he made Aenia to save her life, and the two reframe blame toward Viktor and Marcus, arriving at a fragile reconciliation.
Late to Defensive Arts, Blake resumes supervising. He spots Pendragon dismantling Larissa, Regan’s former crony, with relentless, borderline lethal force. When Pendragon ignores Blake’s orders, he physically removes her while assigning Theo to tend Larissa. Sankara arrives; after Blake covers the situation, Sankara tersely praises Pendragon’s performance and allows Blake to excuse her from class.
Escorting Pendragon toward House Avari, Blake presses for the cause. Pendragon admits she wanted to kill Larissa for blightborn bullying and asks why she should hold back. Blake argues the practical stakes—she is outnumbered and would likely face swift execution—and insists he needs to protect her. Pendragon remains angry, but Blake’s warning underlines the lethal consequences of escalating violence.
Who Appears
- Blake DrakharrowPOV; grapples with guilt over Aenia, reconciles with Theo, stops Pendragon’s brutal spar, and warns her about deadly consequences.
- Theo DrakharrowBlake’s cousin; reveals he killed Aenia, fears Blake’s reaction, then finds forgiveness as they share blame and grief.
- PendragonHalf-mortal, half-blightborn fighter; savages Larissa over blightborn bullying, resists orders until Blake intervenes, remains defiant.
- Professor SankaraDefensive Arts instructor; arrives mid-incident, accepts Blake’s cover, and acknowledges Pendragon’s skill.
- LarissaHighblood student and former Regan crony; badly beaten by Pendragon during sparring, requiring aid.