CHAPTER 4 - MEDRA

The timepiece let out a shrill piercing scream and I lurched out of bed cursing and flailing.

As my eyes slowly opened, I groaned. Running my fingers through my hair, I grimaced, then yanked my hands free. I'd forgotten to brush my hair out before falling asleep after my bath and now it was in knots.

Walking over to a mirror on the wall, I peered at my reflection. Excellent. My hair was as unkempt as a bird's nest. Not the look I was going for.

Grabbing a brush, I tried to tame the curls but it was no use. I'd have to wash my hair again that night and detangle it with one of the bottles of oil I'd seen in the bathroom. If I wasn't too tired again, that was.

In the meantime, I had two choices. I could go around today looking as if a crow might land on my head to nest anytime. Or I could put my hair back and show off my pointed ears.

Either way, I'd probably be getting a lot of stares.

I went with twisting my hair into a loose knot. That way it was off my face and hopefully the curls looked as if I'd intended them to be wild, rather than them being so completely by accident. Plus, this way my ears were covered if I tucked some hair over just so.

Next up was clothes. I yanked open the wardrobe and quickly selected a gray wool pullover sweater and fitted black trousers that had a little give to them. I had no idea what sorts of classes I'd been enrolled in, but I figured it made the most sense to wear clothes I could move around in easily. Just in case.

A pair of high brown leather boots came next. I laced them up quickly, just as my stomach started to rumble.

"I know, I know," I muttered. "Soon. I promise."

There was a tapping at the door and I jerked up. "Who is it?"

When there was no answer, I marched to the door and pulled it open.

Regan Pansera stood outside. She'd been tapping her foot impatiently but stopped as soon as she saw me.

For a brief moment, her face was a mask of emotions I couldn't quite read. Then her eyes met mine and she smiled warmly.

"Medra," she crooned. "So good to see you again. I'm glad your warden told you to be ready. I'll take you down to the refectory for breakfast."

I swallowed. Regan Pansera was the epitome of elegance. She may have been the most beautiful woman I'd ever seen.

Her silver-blonde hair had been styled to flow in soft waves and shimmered with a metallic sheen, as if there were truly metal in it. The early morning light brought out the warm, honeyed undertones of her rich complexion, a radiant caramel with a subtle glow. She wore a dark fitted dress of deep red that cut off just above the knee. Black polished boots with a high heel finished her ensemble.

There were words embroidered in black thread on the collar of her dress.

Sanguine Vinciti.

She followed my gaze and touched a finger to the embroidery with a look of pride. "Bound by blood. The motto of House Drakharrow."

I nodded and stepped out into the hallway. She led the way and I followed her in silence, unsure of the right thing to say.

But I didn't need to worry. When we reached the outer corridor, she spoke up again.

"I think we got off on the wrong foot yesterday," Regan said, glancing at me as we walked side by side. "I hope we can start fresh. After all, we're both betrothed to the same man. We're to be fellow consorts. That's practically like sisters."

I choked on the air I'd just breathed. Now, I decided, was not the best time to tell Regan she was welcome to keep Blake Drakharrow all to herself.

I forced a smile. "I'd like that. To start again, I mean. I hope you know that I mean you no harm."

"Of course, you don't," she said soothingly. "What harm could you do to a vampire, anyhow? I wasn't threatened by you. Not in the least. To tell you the truth, I was worried for Blake. His uncle can be so hard on him at times. I wasn't sure if Viktor was going to be happy Blake had brought you back or furious. I'm so glad everything worked out."

I stole a curious glance at her. She really did seem different this morning. Much more serene and happy. Was Blake right and she'd simply accepted the new order of things? I watched as she tucked a gleaming lock of hair behind her ear.

"So," I said, not really wanting to keep talking about Blake but also secretly dying to ask. "Is it common for men to have two wives around here?"

"Not always. There are many couples, especially among blightborn. Among vampires, especially highbloods, triads are considered the strongest formation for family alliances." She looked at me and smiled slightly. "I knew Blake and I would likely be joined by another consort. I just didn't think we'd be assigned one so soon. Or in such a very unexpected and public fashion."

Well, that I could understand and even empathize with.

"Yes, it was... quite a shock to me as well," I said, as tactfully as I could. Then I thought of something. "Are the consorts always women? Two women and a man, I mean?"

Regan shook her head. "Oh, no. There are all sorts of trios. Sometimes two men and a woman. Sometimes three men. It depends on the leader of the triad. Their tastes and preferences. At least," she corrected herself. "It usually does." She bit her lip. "Oh, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean..."

I shook my head. "That's all right. I understand."

So, I wasn't to Blake's taste or preference, was I?

I debated feeling sorry for the bastard and then went with decidedly not. So he didn't get to select his second consort himself and was stuck with me, who he already clearly despised. Cry me a river. At least he wouldn't be stuck with me for very long.

I considered asking Regan more questions about the intimate workings of these triads, then decided I didn't want to know. It was totally irrelevant. I wouldn't be getting intimate with either of them. Especially not Blake. At this point, Regan was honestly looking more appealing–if my tastes had swung to women, which as far as I knew, they didn't.

The hallways were bustling this morning. Regan was waving and greeting students as we passed. I saw many look at her in awe, then sneak a covert glance at me. She seemed to be deflecting attention away from me, which was a welcome benefit of being her new friend.

After pausing to briefly embrace a tall girl dressed all in black named Gretchen, Regan continued speaking. "So, we'll head into the refectory and get you some breakfast. I'll introduce you to everyone in our group. And then I'll get you to your first class. Speaking of which, here's a copy of your schedule."

She passed me a scroll covered with neat black script and I scanned it.

9:30 - History of Sangratha

10:30 - Restoration

12:00 - Lunch

1:00 - Advanced Weaponry

2:00 - Introduction to Bloodwing Libraries

4:00 - Commencement Address

Regan peered over my shoulder. "Oooh, History of Sangratha. All First Years have to take it. Restoration should be interesting, too. Professor Rodriguez teaches that. Make sure to ask him about the history of healing dragons. Fascinating stuff."

I eyed Regan in surprise. I hadn't taken her for a history buff.

She tossed her hair over her shoulder and smiled. "I make sure to excel in all of my classes. It's our duty to House Drakharrow."

I hoped my face didn't reveal how vomity I felt as I smiled back at her.

We reached the refectory–a sweeping, vaulted hall that exuded grandeur. High, ribbed ceilings rose dramatically over our heads, supported by a series of stone columns that marched down the length of the room. Light filtered in through rows of large, arched windows set high in the walls.

Outside, I glimpsed tall trees filled with crisp autumn leaves in hues of yellow, orange, and red.

Stepping into the refectory, a roar of student voices flowed over me along with the clatter of cutlery and dishes and, in the distant background, the sound of the wind rustling through dry leaves and the waves on the sea. If it wasn't for the vampires, I decided in that instant, Bloodwing Academy might have been, well, beautiful.

The walls of the hall were furnished with dark tapestries. Two large ones hung on each wall to my right and two my left, each emblazoned with a different motto.

I read each one.

"Ex Sanguine, Unitas." From blood, unity.

"Ex Sanguine, Virtus." From blood, strength.

"Ex Sanguine, Legatum." From blood, legacy.

"Ex Sanguine, Potentia." From blood, power.

At the far end of the hall was a massive tapestry of gold and red featuring the Bloodwing crest, alongside four smaller ones that I assumed depicted the symbols of the four houses and their crests. I couldn't make out their details from this distance.

But it wasn't what was on the walls that most concerned me at that moment. I sniffed hungrily and my stomach rumbled so loudly that Regan laughed.

Long, heavy wooden tables stretched across each side of the room, with a wide aisle in between. Each one was heaped with a lavish spread of food. I spotted platters of crisp bacon, buttery fried potatoes, and golden sausages alongside trays of fluffy eggs, and bowls filled to the brim with muffins, scones, and tarts. Alongside the hot foods sat trays of brightly colored fruit. Deep-red pomegranates, glistening green grapes, and piles of ripe plums were placed beside plates of crusty fresh bread. And those were only the foods I recognized. Many I had never seen before in my life. I watched as a girl picked up a slice of a strange fruit. It was bright red with small black seeds. As she took a bite, the juice ran down her chin.

Large silver pitchers of fresh juices had been placed along the tables. To my relief, I saw many students holding steaming cups of a familiar dark brown brew.

"Thank the Bloodmaiden for kava," Regan said from beside me. She raised her eyebrows. "Would you like a cup?"

"Kava? Is that what you call it? We use another word for it where I'm from. But yes, I do. Absolutely. I'd kill for some... kava." The word sounded strange on my tongue at first, but I knew I'd get used to it quickly with the amount I planned to drink. I wondered if I could brew my own kava back in my room.

Regan was weaving her way through the large room, obviously with a clear destination in mind.

"Let me introduce you to everyone," she said as she finally stopped at a table that was nearly full of students. "This is where you'll be sitting. With the very finest of House Drakharrow."

I looked down and my eyes connected with a pair of gray ones, steely and challenging.

For a moment, Blake Drakharrow's expression was pure disdain. Then a camouflage of indifference took over.

I waited expectantly for him to pat the seat next to him and smile up at Regan. Maybe even put on a display of affection solely for my benefit.

But instead, he just lowered his head back to his food and ignored us.

"Well, you've already met our brilliant leader, Blake," Regan said brightly.

"Not the leader yet," quipped a boy with dark blond hair and a mouthful of eggs.

Regan frowned. "No jesting, Theo." She looked at me. "Theo is Blake's cousin. He thinks he can get away with shows of blatant disrespect."

Theo clutched his heart dramatically. "Disrespect? Me? Say it isn't so. Will my beloved cousin banish me?" He looked down the table expectantly at Blake, but there was a mocking grin on his handsome face. I could see the family resemblance. But where Blake's features were lean and dangerous, Theo's were more filled out and, dare I say it, almost pleasant.

Blake's only response was to toss a muffin at Theo's head. It bounced off and landed on the floor.

I pitied the servants who had to clean up after all of the food fights these entitled highbloods must have.

Theo howled with laughter. "You cut me to the quick, good cuz. Wounded! I am wounded, I say."

"If only I'd wounded you in the mouth," Blake muttered.

I felt my lips twitch but quickly quelled them.

Theo stood up and bowed elegantly in my direction. "I nearly forgot myself, dear lady. Theo Drakharrow at your service. Courtier to the Black Prince himself. Beloved by all."

Regan snorted. "He gives himself too much credit. We barely tolerate him."

"He is a rogue and a rascal," growled a tall, ebony-skinned young man from a little further down the table. He nodded at me, his gaze thoughtful and intense. His silvery-blond hair was cut short and swept to one side.

"That's Coregon Phiri," Regan said, introducing us. "One of Blake's closest friends."

Coregan was a large young man. In contrast to Theo, there was a quiet confidence and authority to him that suggested he didn't need to be sarcastic or loud to get things done.

"To his great discredit," Theo chirped.

"Hush up, Theo. Who's doing these introductions? Me or you?" Regan complained.

Unfortunately, Theo took this as an invitation. He gasped dramatically. "Me? Take over? You had only to say the word!"

Blake's cousin leaped onto a chair and began to point. "Quinn Riley, say how-do-you-do." A girl with pale skin and long silver hair styled in three braids down her back lifted a hand. "And on Quinn's left you have Visha Vaidya. Watch out for this one, lords and ladies. She's a fighter."

A young woman with a rich, warm brown skin tone that contrasted beautifully with her short, silvery-white hair glared at Theo murderously. Her violet eyes were sharp and piercing as she looked at me. She managed to force a smile, but to me it felt more like a challenge than a greeting.

Theo was hooting at the young woman's expression. "Visha's family used to have the best dragon riders in Sangratha. I'm sure she'd like to conduct all sorts of nasty little experiments on you if she could," Theo explained. "Of course, most would involve draining you of all your blood." He looked back and forth between us, still grinning, as if he'd like to see us fight.

I crossed my arms, suddenly uncomfortably reminded that these weren't just my fellow students. They were vampires.

"Any of these pitchers filled with warm blood? Or do you take yours cold in the mornings?" I asked Theo conversationally.

"I prefer my red on ice, actually," Theo said seriously. "The fresher the better. Why? Are you offering a little taste?"

My eyes must have widened a little because he burst out laughing.

The entire table suddenly shook. Blake rose to his feet, his hands still in position from where he had slammed them down.

"Enough," he growled.

He walked away from us all without another word.

"Tsk, tsk," Theo said, watching his cousin disappear out of the refectory. "Who got his dark and billowy cloak all in a twist?" He whistled. "Methinks it was you, Medra Pendragon." He winked at me.

"Me?" I said blankly.

"Theo dared to joke about drinking you," Coregon explained, in his deep bass voice. "But such is forbidden. We all heard Viktor's decree."

"Blake doesn't like to share, you see. You're his. But of course, I would never lay a hand on you." Theo put a hand on his heart. "Or a tooth, for that matter. Swear to the Bloodmaiden."

"Just who or what is this Bloodmaiden?" I muttered, a little grumpy at being reminded that Blake Drakharrow believed I was his chattel.

"Here, sit down and eat," Theo offered. He slid down the bench and I eagerly accepted the spot, grabbing a plate and beginning to fill it.

As I suppressed a moan of delight and filled my mouth with another piece of sausage, I looked up to see Quinn Riley staring at me.

"Quite the appetite you have there," she said, with a snicker.

I swallowed my bite. "Unfortunately dinner was not provided when I arrived last night," I said coldly. "But even so, I always have a healthy appetite."

"I like a woman who can eat," Theo said approvingly. His grin widened. "Who am I kidding? I like a man who can eat just as much. Probably better." He cackled at his own joke and Coregon rolled his eyes.

"Oh dear!" Regan groaned from across the table. She stood up, grabbing napkins and brushing at the front of her dress. "I've just soaked myself in kava. Theo, be a dear and tell Medra all about the four houses." She looked at me anxiously. "I'm so sorry. I'll just go and change my clothes. I'll be back in a few minutes to take you to class. Wait for me here, all right?"

I nodded in between a mouth stuffed with two pieces of bacon.

Had Regan Pansera actually apologized to me? The girl really had changed overnight. Either she was genuine or she wanted to stay in Viktor Drakharrow's good graces.

"Only too happy to oblige, dear Miss Pansera." Theo gave a mock salute.

When Regan was gone, I looked at Theo expectantly. "Four houses?"

"Once more, I have been cast in a pivotal role," Theo mused. "Is it the historian I am to be? What a weight lies upon my shoulders." He tapped a finger to his chin. "Where to begin?"

Before I could say anything, he leaped to his feet, jumped onto the bench, and cleared his throat.

"The four royal houses of Sangratha," he intoned loudly. "A historical summary delivered by Theo Drakharrow to Medra Pendragon, this first day of Autumntide term."

Some of the students at the other tables looked up, startled.

"Quiet down, Theo," Quinn hissed. "You're not in a lecture hall! You're embarrassing us. Again."

Theo put a finger to his lips and whispered down to me, "Well, we wouldn't want that, would we, Medra?"

I couldn't help it. I smirked back at him. Theo Drakharrow was incorrigible and I was loving every moment of it. "Nope."

"False alarm," Theo called, waving his hands. "This tutoring session is only meant for one. Exclusive session. Back to your breakfasts, you cads, you knaves. Away with you."

The other students seemed to be used to Theo's outbursts. They were already doing as he suggested and going back to their own conversations.

I reached for a muffin covered with chunks of cinnamon and brown sugar and studied Theo. "You're really a Drakharrow?"

Theo puffed up. "Who says I'm a bastard?"

"I didn't..." I said quickly. Though I'd already noticed he had hair a shade or two darker than the other students at the table.

"A bastard I may be," he said. "But I was born on the right side of the blankets." He grinned. "Aye, a Drakharrow I am and proudly so. Why do you ask?"

"You're nothing like your cousin," I said bluntly. Abruptly I thought of something and my eyes widened. "Are you Viktor's son?"

Theo shook his head. "No, no. My mother is our esteemable uncle's youngest sister. Marcus and Blake's father takes precedence in the family order. Dear Uncle Viktor has no progeny. None that we know of."

"Marcus?" I inquired. "Who is he?"

"Blake's elder brother. You probably saw him yesterday, standing at Viktor's shoulder in the great hall yesterday. The kindest term for him is lackey." He shook his head. "Ah, what a merry time that impromptu soiree was."

I grimaced. "Merry. Indeed."

"Marcus graduated Bloodwing last spring," Theo explained.

"And now Blake is... house leader?"

"Not quite." Coregon's quiet voice interrupted. "House leaders must fight for their place. It has to be earned. It's not an inherited spot."

"That's right," Theo said. "As it stands, House Drakharrow has no leader at Bloodwing yet. One will be chosen by the end of the Autumntide Term. Everyone assumes Blake will get it, of course. But there are a few students within House Drakharrow who may decide to compete for the spot." He winked at Coregon. "Like yourself, old chap."

Coregon shook his head. "Blake can have it. Too much trouble managing this lot."

Theo pouted. "No duels? How dull." He looked around the table. "None of the others who might just have it in them to challenge Blake are at our table. Regan probably made sure of that when she did the inviting."

"What about the other houses?" I asked.

Theo nodded towards a table across the aisle from ours. "There's a house leader right there. Kage Tanaka. He's the leader of House Avari."

I stole a glance. A striking, tall young man with golden-hued skin sat at the head of a long table. "But his last name..."

"He's an Avari on his mother's side," Coregon explained. "He chose not to take the Avari surname. At least, not yet. He's proud of his father's lineage."

I stole another look at Kage Tanaka. The Avari leader looked... intense. Dressed in a tailored black uniform trimmed with silver braid, he exuded authority, dominating the group of students around him. As he spoke rapidly, his dark eyes narrowed in focus. I got the impression no one would dare to interrupt whatever he was saying.

Kage's uniform was inscribed with an insignia I assumed was that of House Avari. A silver dragon holding a crescent moon.

I squinted, trying to read the inscription written around the crest.

" Luna sanguinea surgit ," Theo provided as he saw my gaze. "Blood moon rises. Oh, look, there's another one. Catherine of House Mortis."

He pointed at a beautiful girl with alabaster skin and white hair braided into a coronet who was striding down the row of tables, tossing a plum in the air and catching it again and again with effortless grace. She wore a short, white, high-collared dress paired with red, leather boots.

Behind her, two young women followed closely, both dark haired and beautiful. One had ebony skin and was dressed all in white. Her long hair fell in long narrow braids. The other had porcelain skin, chin-length hair, and was dressed all in red. The two women's hands were entwined.

The three women seemed to move as a unit.

I lowered my voice, "Are those her... consorts?"

Coregon made a choking sound while across the table Quinn snickered again.

"Her consorts?" Theo shook his head. "No, they're her thralls."

I sputtered. "Thralls? What does that mean?"

"It means she just had them for breakfast," Quinn muttered from across the table. "By the Bloodmaid, this blightborn girl really knows nothing."

Theo ignored her. "It means they're blood-bonded. It's not as crass as Quinn is trying to make out. But if you're asking if they're all lovers, too, then the answer is yes, most likely."

"Not as crass?" I managed to say. "But they're her, what? Slaves?"

Theo shrugged. "I mean, in a way, yes. But it's not as if they're being tortured. The feeding process can actually be rather pleasurable."

I didn't want to hear it. "So you mean they're willing? They weren't coerced? They volunteered for this?"

Theo exchanged a look with Quinn and Coregon. "Uh, well. Almost. Not exactly."

"Thralls means they're enthralled," Quinn said, practically giggling at my stupidity. "She has them under her thrall. They love her. They want her to feed from them."

"That's disgusting," I said, angrily. "You can't just do that to people."

Quinn's expression turned nasty. "But we can and we do. And they're just grateful it's not worse."

"What does that mean?" I demanded.

Coregon cleared his throat. "Traditionally, vampires have been more forceful in their hunt for blood sources."

"He means we used to kill those we drank," Theo explained. "But now we usually...don't."

"Usually?" I spat.

He shrugged. "Some people prefer the old way. It's not against the law to hunt blightborn, but most have moved beyond it. Veilmar is a safe city. The blightborn are protected. My Uncle Viktor has recently begun to promote a culture of restraint. He believes curbing our bloodlust, saving it, storing it, makes us more powerful."

I didn't even want to know what Viktor was storing the bloodlust of vampires for.

"And there's nothing wrong with that," Quinn retorted, as if I'd offended her. "What do you think your precious betrothed prefers?" She bared her teeth at me and I flinched. "Don't you think he's taken his share of blightborn lives? Hunted and killed to feed?"

"Blake does come from a very traditional branch of the family," Theo agreed, though I thought he looked a little uncomfortable. He shifted on the bench and looked around the refectory. "In any case, I think that's it for our house leaders. I don't see Lysander anywhere. He's the leader of House Orphos. His sister, Lunaya, may be in some of your classes. A very sweet girl."

I got the impression he was eager to change the subject.

"The weirdo house," Quinn muttered across the table. She stood up. "Well, I'm off." She glanced down at me, then shook her head as if there was no point saying good-bye politely.

I waited until she was out of earshot, then asked, "What did she mean by that? About House Orphos?"

Theo waved a hand. "Oh, you know. House Orphos has a reputation. They're rather... enigmatic."

"He means they're useless," Coregon added. "Weak."

"They're generally considered to be the least powerful house, yes," Theo admitted. "Though Lysander could change that impression with time. It wasn't always so. There's always one house that's generally considered weaker."

Coregon was rising to his feet. "Well, good luck today, Medra."

"Thanks," I said with surprise, checking the clock high up on the wall. It was only five minutes to nine. Classes didn't begin until nine-thirty. "You're off, too?"

He exchanged a glance with Theo. "I like to be early. There's some prep work I have to see to. I'm helping one of the professors."

Around us, the refectory was emptying out. But Theo didn't look concerned at all. He was helping himself to another plate of fried potatoes.

"So who did you drink from this morning, Theo?" I asked politely, watching him.

He paused with his fork midway to his mouth. "You know, we don't need to feed all the time. And we don't need to kill when we feed. As I've said, some choose to do so, but many don't. It's generally looked down upon these days as overly brutal. Bad form. You get the idea." He chewed a potato, then added, "Besides, most of us use the servants. We highbloods make sure to have a few on hand. If worse comes to worse, we just grab a First Year."

I blanched and Theo burst out laughing.

"That was a joke," he said.

"Very funny. Ha ha," I muttered.

"Well, here comes Regan." Theo pushed back his plate and stood up. "Guess we should be heading to class."

All around us, the hall had cleared out, except for a few servants who were scurrying about carrying dirty dishes and scrubbing the tables.

"Goodness, what a trek that was," Regan said breathlessly. She was dressed impeccably in a lilac wool sweater and a silky matching skirt. "I think I'll take some kava to go. Theo, you're such a dear for minding Medra."

Theo bowed. "Anything for you, Regan." He looked at me. "Well, good-bye, Medra. Don't do anything I wouldn't do." He winked one last time and then was gone.