Contents
Chapter 14
Overview
In a hallway confrontation, Lochlan attacks Medra and Blake kills him protecting her. Professor Hassan hauls Medra and Florence to Regan and Viktor, exposes Florence’s tie to Nyxaris, and Viktor invades Florence’s mind. Nyxaris smashes into the office, incinerates Hassan, and claims Florence as his rider, forcing an irreversible shift in allegiances.
Summary
In the crowded corridor, Medra shields Florence as blightborn students press them for answers about Nyxaris. Lochlan attacks, choking Medra; Medra fights free but he draws a knife. Blake arrives in a blur, kills Lochlan and disarms Isha, nearly losing control as his eye flashes red before Medra calms him.
Professor Amina Hassan dismisses class and detains Medra and Florence, leading them to Headmistress Regan’s office where Viktor is present. Hassan claims she overheard Florence say the dragon would heed her. Medra denies it, but Viktor tests Florence, noticing her subtly pointed ears, and then brutally forces his way into her mind.
As Viktor ransacks Florence’s memories, Nyxaris senses her distress, shatters the office window, and confronts Viktor. Recognizing one another, dragon and regent square off. At Nyxaris’s command, Florence edges to the doorway while he unleashes dragonfire, targeting Regan’s desk; Kage drags Regan to cover, while Hassan dies screaming beneath the burning desk. Viktor slips away.
With the office ruined, Nyxaris declares the stalemate over and demands Florence come to him. Medra watches, shaken but unharmed. Accepting the inevitable and guided by their bond, Florence climbs onto Nyxaris’s neck despite her fear. Nyxaris releases the tower and takes flight, sealing Florence’s new role as his rider.
Who Appears
- Florence ShenPOV; pressured by peers, exposed to Viktor’s mental invasion; affirmed as Nyxaris’s true rider; departs on the dragon.
- NyxarisDragon; senses Florence’s distress, confronts Viktor, incinerates Hassan, claims Florence as rider, and flies off with her.
- Medra PendragonDefends Florence, fights off Lochlan; tries to deflect suspicion; survives Nyxaris’s fire and lets Florence go.
- Viktor DrakharrowRegent; interrogates and mind-rapes Florence; recognizes Nyxaris; escapes the dragon’s assault.
- Regan DrakharrowHeadmistress; present during confrontation; shielded by Kage as Nyxaris burns her desk; survives shaken.
- Blake DrakharrowArrives in time to kill Lochlan protecting Medra; nearly loses control before standing down at Medra’s command.
- KageAvari leader; challenges Viktor’s assault on Florence; rescues Regan behind a bookcase during the fire.
- Professor Amina HassanCold instructor; exposes Florence to Regan and Viktor; dies under Nyxaris’s fire.
- LochlanStudent attacker; chokes Medra and draws a knife; killed by Blake.
- IshaAgitator who threatens Medra; disarmed and cowed by Blake.
- Dani ParksBlightborn student Medra protects; dazed after the mob, aided by Blake.
- Regan’s Bloodguard secretaryAlumnus guard; witnesses Nyxaris’s attack, drops his crossbow when the dragon menaces him.