Chapter 18

As Medra sleeps, she dreams of training with her mentor Odessa in Camelot’s forest. The scene darkens and transforms into a deathly wood, where a voice calls to Medra. Odessa vanishes, and Medra recognizes the voice as her mother, Orcades.

Orcades explains she inhabits the necromantic dragon Molindra, hidden in a misty forest called the Bonewood. Medra glimpses Molindra’s vast, decaying form. Orcades claims she and Molindra have reached an uneasy understanding, and she reveals Lunaya is alive, though altered, and has even ridden Molindra.

Turning to a larger threat, Orcades describes the Veil as a world-bridging barrier with a guardian—the Bloodmaiden of the Sanctum. Marcus and Catherine are creating cracks in the Veil to enact a “reclamation.” Orcades intends to delay and sabotage their efforts, leveraging Molindra’s power while masking her presence.

Orcades urges Medra to survive and protect Florence, warning that the cracks and omens may spread beyond the Bonewood. The connection ends as Molindra stirs, and Medra wakes beside a peacefully sleeping Florence and Neville at the foot of the bed.

Weighing secrets and trust, Medra decides not to tell Blake yet about Orcades, the Bonewood, or the Veil. She resolves to protect Florence and reflects on her unbreakable, hard-won bond with Blake, trusting he will stand with her when the looming threat breaks.