Contents
Chapter 28
Overview
Medra contacts Orcades and learns the highblood plague resembles an ancient fae affliction, possibly threatening fae-blooded. Blake executes an infected student, proving the outbreak has reached the castle. Medra, Blake, and Theo attempt to arm up and reach Orphos but are ambushed by Bloodguards. Theo’s capture forces Blake to surrender, and the trio are marched to Viktor.
Summary
In the aftermath of securing Drakharrow Tower, Medra telepathically updates Orcades, who reveals the violent madness resembles a past fae plague in Valtain unleashed by Medra’s grandfather. Concern rises that fae-blooded like Medra—and possibly Florence, altered by Medra’s blood—could be vulnerable. Orcades suggests stopping Marcus and Catherine but withholds details.
Down in the common room, a late-arriving couple is intercepted. Blake detects rot in Collette’s blood and, despite protests, swiftly kills her to prevent infection, then orders strict triage for arrivals. Accepting the plague has spread into the castle, Medra insists on finding Florence, and Theo vows to find Vaughn. Visha stays to hold the tower while Blake, Medra, and Theo depart to arm themselves at Sankara’s training courtyard before heading to Orphos.
On the darkened corridors, Medra questions Blake’s unsettling ability to “hear” decaying blood and the wreckage in his room; Blake admits something was wrong but claims control, urging urgency. The trio then discovers corridors strewn with highblood corpses, evidence of brutal fighting.
They are confronted by Bloodguards led by Quinn Riley with Edward Ashveil and others, who demand they meet Viktor in the refectory. Fighting erupts; Blake cuts through attackers while Medra and Theo hold their own. A second, heavier wave led by Silvio Santos arrives, turning the tide. Theo is overwhelmed and pinned; Medra is disarmed and restrained.
With Quinn’s blade at Theo’s throat, Blake halts and surrenders to save his cousin. The captives—Medra, Blake, and Theo—are herded through the corpse-littered halls toward the refectory, where Viktor Drakharrow awaits, their rescue mission collapsed into capture.
Who Appears
- MedraProtagonist; contacts Orcades about the plague, worries about fae susceptibility, fights Bloodguards, is captured and marched to Viktor.
- Blake DrakharrowHouse Leader; detects rot in blood, executes infected Collette, battles Bloodguards, surrenders to save Theo.
- TheoBlake’s cousin and Medra’s ally; determined to find Vaughn, fights skillfully with knives, overpowered and taken hostage.
- OrcadesMedra’s mother; telepathically confirms the plague echoes an ancient fae curse and urges stopping Marcus and Catherine.
- VishaBlake’s Second; restrains Jareth, volunteers to stay and secure Drakharrow Tower while the others depart.
- Quinn RileyBloodguard leader confronting the trio; orders their capture and threatens Theo to force Blake’s surrender.
- Silvio SantosLeads the second Bloodguard wave in Mortis armor; helps overwhelm and capture the trio.
- Edward AshveilBloodguard; taunts the trio during confrontation, wounded by Theo, helps in their capture.
- ColletteInfected student exposed by a bite; swiftly executed by Blake to prevent spread.
- JarethCollette’s boyfriend; tries to hide her wound and intervene, restrained by Visha.
- LarissaBloodguard combatant; engaged and dropped by Theo during the skirmish.
- GretchenBloodguard who attacks Medra and is wounded in the fight.
- LucianBloodguard; trades blows with Medra and mocks the trio’s odds.
- Viktor DrakharrowAntagonist; awaits the captives in the refectory, unseen but directing the Bloodguards.