CHAPTER 51 - MEDRA

My eyes fluttered open, my head pounding with a dull ache. I lay on a hard cot in a shadowy stone cavern. Slowly, I propped myself up on my elbows. Around me were rows of other cots. All of them were empty.

My heart sped up. Had they started the Games already? Had I missed them?

Before I could move, I felt something being lifted from my head. I looked up and saw Professor Wispwood standing over me. The blonde, halfborn professor looked down at me with sympathy in her eyes, then murmured, "Good luck."

She walked across the room carrying something in her hands and placed it in a wooden box. A white circlet. Why had it been on my head?

The last thing I remembered was falling asleep in my own bed.

No, the last thing I remembered was dreaming . I'd been dreaming of Florence and Naveen. We'd been talking and laughing together in the Common Room. It'd felt so real.

I sat up groggily, then groaned. The cloth. I remembered the sickeningly sweet scent of it pressed to my mouth and nose. I'd been drugged. Had I been affected worse than the other consorts? Was that why everyone else was gone?

I glanced down at myself. I was in my underthings. There was a small table beside the cot. On it sat a neatly folded pile of clothes. A plain tunic and trousers of a dark, sturdy material sat beneath a leather vest, lined with pockets. On the floor next to the cot was a pair of familiar leather boots.

I pulled on the clothes, unable to shake the sense of panic. Everyone else was gone. They had a head start.

It was stupid but I supposed some part of me had held out the faint hope that Regan might have changed her mind.

But no, here I was–all alone.

I started to pull on my boots. My fingers brushed against something cold. Coregon's dagger.

Stay calm, Orcades voice rang in my head. Don't draw attention. Professor Wispwood was still organizing instruments on the far side of the room. Get up. You need to get moving.

I pulled on the boots the rest of the way, carefully keeping the knife tucked alongside my right calf. I'd been hoping to bring the dagger in with me. That had been my plan all along. But I hadn't exactly been given a chance to pack.

Had the other consorts been given weapons? Or only me?

The soul-imbued dagger gave me a slight advantage. But considering I'd been left here alone and was the last one out, it might not be enough of one.

I walked out of the cavern and into the light. It looked to be about mid-morning. I raised a hand to my eyes, squinting. The daylight was almost blinding after the darkness of the underground dorm. My legs felt wobbly, as if they belonged to someone else. What the fuck had they given me? Whatever it was, I hoped Regan had gotten it, too.

My boots sank slightly into the damp earth as I scanned my surroundings. The air was thick with a humid heat. A stark contrast to the cool spring we were experiencing back at Bloodwing. This was another world altogether. I stood on the edge of an island–lush, almost jungle-like, with towering trees draped in vines that created a dense canopy overhead.

The foliage around me was rich with the smell of wet bark, damp moss, and flowers.

I walked forward through the trees and reached a dead end. A gorge lay in front of me, separating the underground dormitory from the main part of the island. Below, a thin mist rose up from the depths of the gorge.

My stomach dropped as I spotted the only way across. A stone platform, barely wide enough for two people, jutted up out of the mist, perched on top of a high stone pillar.

But there was only one. It was close to me. I could jump onto it if I tried. But leaping onto it would only get me part way across the gorge.

I moved towards the cliff's edge and caught sight of two figures standing on the other side.

Visha Vaidya looked back at me, her hands on her hips. The last time we'd crossed paths the girl had tried to beat me to a pulp.

Behind her stood a tall, slender boy with silver hair. He looked less than pleased. They'd clearly been arguing. Visha seemed to have won the debate.

Evander, I thought, remembering the male consort's name. Florence had been telling me about some of the recently formed triads. Visha had been paired with an arrogant, sulky-looking highblood named Lucian and another consort named Evander.

"Pendragon!" Visha called across the gap. "Wait. You'll never make it across alone."

I ignored her and stepped to the edge of the cliff, gauging the space between the cliff and the platform.

I jumped.

I wobbled as I landed, flinging my arms out to steady myself. Damn that drug they'd given me. There was no way the other consorts were suffering these after effects, considering I was the last one here.

I stood on the platform, waiting for something to happen, but nothing did. I'd expected the next platform to rise, providing me with a way across. Shit.

"You need a partner to get across," Visha called, sounding annoyingly smug. "It won't work otherwise."

She stepped towards the edge of the cliff, her violet eyes gleaming. "Did Professor Wispwood mention you're being timed? The platforms will all disappear in a few minutes. Including the one you're standing on. You're the last one to emerge."

"Thanks for the helpful information," I called back, sarcastically. "And you're both doing what? Just waiting on the other side to watch me fail?"

To my surprise, she shook her head. "I'm going to help you across. I need you to promise not to attack me when I come towards you."

My heart pounded. "Why the hell would you do that?" I shook my head stubbornly. "I'm not an idiot. There's no way I'm trusting you."

Visha moved a little closer to the edge. "You have no choice. The clock's ticking. You're the last one. And maybe you've failed to notice this but Regan is long gone."

"Why would you help me?" I demanded. "You hate me. You tried to kill me."

"Kill you?" Visha rolled her eyes. "So melodramatic, you blightborns. If I'd wanted to kill you, you'd be dead. I was testing you." She shrugged. "So I got a little carried away."

"Regan sent you after me," I accused. "Why the hell would I trust you now?"

Visha smirked. "Regan wasn't the one who sent me to fight you that day. Though, of course, she was thrilled that I did."

I stared at her. "Then who did?"

"I'm sure you can figure it out on your own."

I felt a lump in my throat, but savagely pushed it down. "Blake."

She nodded. "Turned out you weren't as weak as we thought. Way to prove me wrong. Now are you going to just stand there or are you going to let me help you across?"

"I don't understand," I said. "Blake sent you after me then. But now he's what? Told you to help me survive this?"

"That basically sums it up." Visha nudged her fellow consort. "Right, Evander?"

Evander frowned but said nothing.

"Evander isn't thrilled with any of this, so if you could decide what the hell you're doing soon, that would be great," Visha explained. "We need to get going."

"Why would Blake want you to help me now?" I demanded.

Visha threw up her hands. "Look, you and Blake can figure all of this out and talk about it once you've survived the Games. Sound good? It's none of my business. He's the House Leader. I'm just doing what I'm told."

She leaned forward slightly and to my surprise, a pillar began to rise up out of the mist, just a few feet in front of her.

"There," she said with satisfaction. "Thought so."

She jumped onto the first pillar, then leaned forward again and the next one rose.

"If you've already crossed once with your consort," she explained, slightly out of breath as she leaped to the next platform, drawing nearer and nearer to me. "Then the platforms will let you go backwards. But you can't go forward the first time alone."

She jumped to a pillar as it rose across from the one I was standing on. One more to go.

I spread my legs a little more, willing myself to keep my balance. I still felt woozy. I tried not to look down at the rolling sea of mist below us.

Visha glanced over at me. "So, what's your decision? You going to fuck this up and get us both killed or you going to catch me?"

She didn't wait for me to respond. She jumped.

I clutched her shoulders to brace her as she landed and she gasped.

I shook my head. Despite our history, I had to admire her tenacity. Visha was tough as nails. Behind her, the platform she had just been standing on was descending once more.

Visha was shaking her head. "You don't look so great, Pendragon. What the hell did you do to yourself?"

I pushed my hair off my face. "I must have been drugged. We all were, weren't we?"

"Some of us more than others from the look of it." She eyed me up and down, then shook her head. "That fucking bitch Regan. She must have paid someone off. No wonder it took you so long to come out. Evander wanted us to move on and in another minute we would have."

I glanced across at where the tall pale young man stood. I didn't really blame him. He just wanted to survive.

"What you're doing right now–helping me. Isn't that cheating? Won't you both get into trouble?"

"Funny, now that's what Evander said," Visha replied. "You worried about us, Pendragon? How sweet. So you'd rather I didn't cheat to save your life?" She shrugged. "I mean, it's a little late now. Shall we get moving?"

I gripped her hand and together we leaned forward. The next platform rose up.

We jumped for it.

"Steady," Visha shouted as I lurched forward abruptly, dizziness clouding my vision. "Get it together, Pendragon." She swore under her breath, but didn't let go of me.

"I'm sorry," I gasped as I staggered upright.

She swore again, muttering something about Regan, then glanced across the gorge at where Evander was watching us. He'd started pacing, his hands shoved into the pockets of his trousers.

"You'd better get ready to catch her," she shouted across the gap. "You hear me, Evander?"

The pale blond-haired boy nodded tersely and stepped a little closer to the edge of the cliff.

"We're running out of time," Visha said tightly. "Let's go."

She yanked me forward and I took the next jump with her, stumbling only slightly.

We slammed onto the next platform. I fell to my knees.

"Are you going to let her get away with this?" Visha asked, looking down at me and shaking her head.

"Who? Regan?" I said breathlessly. "What choice do I have?"

"Blake must be so pissed," she muttered. She grabbed my hand. "Get ready. Last one."

We leaned forward together and the next platform rose up in front of us.

I focused hard, trying to clear the fog from my head.

We jumped onto the final platform. Evander leaned forward, his hands extended.

"Come on," he said gruffly, nodding to me. "Take my hand."

I grabbed onto him gratefully and Visha and I stepped across the crevice onto solid ground.

Behind us the pillars remained in their ascended position for a few moments longer. Then they began to shake and rumble. Within a few seconds, they had crumbled into the gorge below.

I sank down onto the damp earth, taking deep breaths.

"Well, that's that," Visha said, looking down at the gorge.

"So cheating is allowed? Or tolerated?" I glanced at her and Evander. They both seemed fine. Not shaky on their feet. I knew the effects of whatever drug I'd been given would eventually wear off. But if Visha hadn't been there, I would have been screwed. What had Professor Wispwood thought? Had she tried to wake me to no avail? Then I had an awful thought. What if she'd been the one who'd administered it? Could faculty do that? "You won't be punished for helping me?"

Visha and Evander exchanged a look.

Visha shrugged. "Probably not. I doubt it. If Regan can get away with all of her bullshit, I doubt they can punish us for ours."

"What would have happened to me if you hadn't helped me? If I hadn't been able to make it across on my own?"

"You probably don't want to know," Visha said smoothly. "Blake would have been furious though."

In other words, I'd have died. Would Professor Wispwood have done it? Or someone else? For all I knew, Bloodwing had a special executioner on staff.

And if I'd died, Blake would have been unhappy. Because he actually cared about me? Or because it would have been a blow to his precious reputation?

"Not to mention his uncle," Evander muttered. I wondered if that was how Visha had gotten him to comply. If he was more worried about Viktor Drakharrow than about Blake.

"All right," I said, taking a breath. "I guess I'm on my own from here." I thought of something else. "That white circlet that Professor Wispwood took off my head when I woke up. What was it?"

Visha's eyes widened slightly and she exchanged another look with Evander.

She cleared her throat. "I wouldn't worry about that right now."

I narrowed my eyes. "What was it, Visha?"

She sighed. "I didn't see it. But if it's what I think it is, then it's called the Crown of Bone."

"Bone? What kind of bone?"

"Dragon bone. It's part of an old tradition. They probably used it because you're a blightborn. Don't worry about it right now." She must have seen the stubborn look in my eyes. "Look, all you need to know is that you can still get out of this place if you try."

"Fine. So what's next?" I demanded. "You two obviously know a lot more about what to expect than I do."

Visha shrugged. "We'll split up for now. You'll wander around. Just hang out. Try not to fall into any traps. Don't get eaten by any wild animals. If you're still feeling groggy then stay out of Regan's way if you see her."

"And then?" I asked cautiously. "That's it? That's all there is to it?"

"Of course not. That would be too easy, wouldn't it?" Visha snickered. "Get across the island. Meet us on the other side. There's sure to be at least one or two more challenges. You'll need another consort's help for at least one of them. Evander and I will be there waiting. One of us will help you finish this."

"Not if I beat you there first," I said automatically.

Visha raised an angular eyebrow. "That's the spirit."

She stepped towards me and lowered her voice. "Just watch out for Regan. I know she sees this as her chance to get at you now that Blake's not around to stop her. You're in rough shape. This probably isn't the best time to take her on." She glanced at Evander who had turned his back to us and was staring into the trees, tapping his foot impatiently. "Look, I'd stay with you but Evander is scared we're going to get in trouble for all of this. I doubt we are. It's clear that we can push the boundaries. I think they want us to. Besides, Regan's the one who tore up the playbook first. She's breaking all of the rules. We're just helping to even the field. I've got your back, but I have to have Evander's, too."

Our eyes met. I stared into Visha's violet ones, still unable to quite believe I was going to trust her.

I nodded. "All right."

She started to walk away.

"Visha," I called. She turned back. "You really did all this just because Blake told you to?"

"For Blake, sure. But not just because of him. I fucking hate Regan," she said with a grin that showed her pointed fangs. "I've been waiting for this for years. I can't wait to see what happens to her after today." She shot me a thoughtful look. "You're not as weak as you look either, Pendragon. Get your shit together and you'll be fine. Go drink some water. Good luck out there."

"Good luck," I echoed as she walked away with Evander.

For the next hour or so, I moved through the dense jungle, the thick, humid air making the fabric of my tunic stick to me like a second skin. Before long, I'd removed off my vest and tied it around my hips. Then I pulled off my tunic, ripped away the bottom half and used the extra fabric to tie back my hair so the heavy curls weren't sticking to my face and neck. My midriff was now exposed and I supposed I might get a few more insect bites, but at least I could breathe better this way.

The heavy fog from the drug was lifting. At times I felt a wave of dizziness but I could mostly push it away. And something else was starting to kick in. The effects of Blake's blood. I could feel them working my way through my system. I was under more stress and strain. I figured that was kicking the effects of the blood into high gear. I could feel the change in my body, the power coursing through me.

Ever since my fight with Visha that day in Advanced Weaponry, I'd been honing the advantages of my rider's build with Professor Sankara's help. But no matter how hard I'd worked, I knew there was no way I would ever be as strong or as fast as a highblood.

But today? I wasn't so sure. That feeling of powerlessness I'd had when I woke up was dissipating. Did I have Blake to thank for that?

I came to a small stream and knelt down beside it. The water was clear and cool as it trickled over the rocks. I cupped my hands and drank deeply. The cold water washed away some of the residual blurriness that still clung to me. I felt stronger now, more myself.

I stood back up, wiping my mouth, and leaned back against a tree, looking ahead. By my guess, I was about halfway around the island by now. If Visha was right, we'd meet up on the other side, just in time for the next test. I hoped she'd keep her word and wait for me.

Just as I began to move again, a blink of movement in the trees caught my eye. My instincts kicked in and I dropped and rolled, just as a small silver blade came flying through the air and landed in the trunk of the tree right where I'd been standing.

There was a rustling sound. Regan stepped out from the underbrush to my right, a sharp rapier in her hand.

There was another sound, this time from in front of me. Gretchen emerged, twirling a small throwing knife between her fingers, a cruel grin on her face. She wore a belt across her shoulders, loaded with at least three more of the small blades.

Someone whistled from directly above me. I glanced up to find Quinn perched in a tree, a bow in hand and an arrow already drawn, aimed squarely at my chest.

Regan stepped out in front. "Look, girls. The little blightborn lamb has lost her way. What? No dragon to protect you?"

I tried to keep my expression neutral, as my eyes flitted between the three girls. "What do you want, Regan?"

Regan sneered. "Oh, nothing much. Just to teach you a lesson about taking what's mine."

"I've got the best seat in the house," Quinn called, from where she perched high in the tree. "Let the show begin."

Gretchen danced up and down on her feet. "Oh, this is going to be fun."

I sighed. "This again? I've never wanted Blake. You know that."

"I know he's far too good for you, blightborn bitch," Regan spat. "As am I. You pollute us both with this unnatural alliance."

My temper started to rise. Not this Blood of the Blessed shit again. "Does Blake know you're here? Attacking me like this? What's he going to do when he finds out?"

"It doesn't matter," Regan hissed. "He's not here to protect you anymore. Blake and his misguided sense of duty. I don't understand it, but after today he'll finally be free. You've been a thorn in my side since the moment he dragged you in, covered in dirt. I could tell even then that you thought you were something special. Better than the rest of us. Well, you're about to learn a lesson in true superiority. Gretchen and Quinn and I are going to teach it to you."

I tried to keep my face impassive. "I don't think I'm superior but I sure as hell don't think I'm beneath you either. You know I've always wished we could be friends. I wanted us to work together."

Regan laughed. "Right. Keep telling yourself that. As if I'd ever stoop so low. I know exactly what you want, Pendragon. Blake Drakharrow's cock inside of you. You little slut. You want him in your bed, don't you? But just because he's abandoned mine doesn't mean I'm going to give him up to you so easily."

I was astonished. Not least of all at her admission.

I sighed. It was time to take a different approach and stoop to her level. "Well, I can see why he doesn't want you. Who would want a snide whiny bitch sucking them off?"

Regan screeched like a parrot. "How dare you!" Her eyes narrowed and a slow smile stretched across her face. "This has gone on long enough. Pull that blade from the tree behind you and stick it in your throat. I command it."

I turned towards the tree trunk, taking in the sight of Gretchen's throwing knife embedded in the bark.

Slowly, I pulled it out. I looked down at the blade.

Then I tucked it into my pocket.

"Sorry, but that's not going to work anymore, Regan," I said calmly, as the thrallweave she was using continued to wash over me, hit the wall I'd built and skim away.

I didn't feel the compulsion like the last time she'd attacked me. Then it had been unbearable, undeniable. This was a different kind of pressure. Strong and insistent, yes. Pulling at my mind, trying to find a purchase. But I had practiced for this very moment. I'd partitioned my thoughts, dividing them, hiding the core of myself in my mental shadows. So far inside that Regan couldn't reach, even if she'd had the ability to. And I doubted she did. She wasn't as skilled in thrallweave as I'd once given her credit for. Rodriguez and Blake were much more proficient.

With a smile, I slammed my wall up hard, shutting her out. The sudden snap of mental threads nearly sent her reeling. I laughed at the look of shock on her face.

Gretchen looked back and forth between us, uncertainty on her pretty face. "What's happening, Regan?"

"The bitch shut me out," Regan panted. "Someone taught her how to block us."

She narrowed her eyes at me. "Who was it? Who taught you? I'll fucking kill them."

I smiled slowly. "You could try. But I doubt you'd succeed. You see, Blake and I have enjoyed a lot of time together. He loves getting me alone. To practice." I wasn't sure what I was doing. Only that seeing the expression on her face made it worth it. "He really enjoys our private tutoring sessions. Why don't you ask him about them yourself? If you make it back, that is."

"Blake?" Regan spat. "You're lying!"

I shrugged, keeping my stance steady. The dagger was in my boot. I could reach for it if I needed to. But it didn't escape me that I was outnumbered three to one and that Quinn had a bow pointed at me. "Think what you want. I know denial is easier for you."

I took a step closer towards her, my eyes locked with Regan's. "But you know all you really have to do is ask Blake."

I lunged forward, reaching for her rapier.

Regan reacted, but she'd lost a few precious seconds. My hand gripped her wrist, twisting hard. My body crashed into hers as we fell to the ground.

The damp earth shifted as we rolled across it, locked in a struggle.

The blood was pulsing in my veins. I felt as if I were filled with power. All of a sudden three against one seemed less of a concern and more of a fun challenge. I could do this. I knew I could.

Regan twisted against me, trying to get the upper hand, but I slammed her arm into the ground, forcing her rapier hand down with all my strength.

Regan growled, fighting me with renewed fury as she tried to roll me off her. I could feel her weight shifting, feel the sheer effort of her desperation to win this fight. She was a highblood. She was stronger, faster. For a split second, doubt crept into my mind.

Then I saw something in Regan's eyes. The same doubt reflecting back at me.

I gave a ragged laugh, giddy at the sight of it, my grip tightening. "You expected this to be easy, didn't you? So sorry to disappoint. Any guesses as to why things aren't going your way?"

"You're nothing but a blightborn," she hissed, her beautiful lips curling in disdain as she tried again unsuccessfully to slam me back into the dirt. "I will crush you like the pathetic bug you are."

I leaned towards her. "I have to admit something, Regan. I have a secret that might make that more difficult than you're expecting."

Regan froze. "What?"

I smiled slowly. "Can't you tell just from looking at me? I can feel him inside me. I would have thought it was written all over my face." I put my lips to her ear and whispered, "Blake gave me a little taste of something special."

"You're lying." Her eyes widened with fury and disbelief. "You're fucking lying. He wouldn't."

I'd hit my mark. For a moment, I wondered if I'd done the right thing. Then my heart hardened.

My strength surged, fueled by the vampire blood coursing through my veins. Blake's power was amplifying everything–the thrill of the fight, the sight of Regan beneath me, suddenly vulnerable and exposed. The power was intoxicating.

Regan thrashed and let out a scream of rage.

"Believe what you want," I murmured. "But we both know it's true."

A flash of silver. Before I could react, the sharp bite of steel sliced into my shoulder. Pain flared. But the wound didn't paralyze me as it should have. My vision sharpened as I turned and saw Gretchen, her hand still outstretched.

The rage inside of me was rising, burning hotter by the second, the pull in my blood urging me onwards to kill, kill, kill the ones who were trying to hurt me.

Don't lose yourself, Medra. Focus. My mother's voice. All you need is to get out of here.

I shut it down, ignoring her.

Bloodlust coursed through me. Urging me to end this, to finish it once and for all. These girls wanted me dead. They were here to kill me.

Why shouldn't I return the favor?

I yanked the knife from my shoulder, my eyes narrowing with fury, and threw it back at Gretchen with all my strength. The blade hit the highblood girl square in the face, slicing her cheek open. She screamed, clutching at the flap of skin as she stumbled backwards, blood pouring from between her fingers.

"Bitch," Regan screamed. "You think you're better at us just because you've been sipping from Blake's cup? You lying little cheat."

"Cheat?" I glared down at her. "Oh, that's rich coming from you."

I grabbed Regan's wrist, twisting unmercifully and the rapier fell to the ground. I grabbed it and held it over her face. It would be so easy. So easy to let go and finish it. To never have to look at Regan again.

Unbidden, Florence's face came to my mind. Her calm steady gaze. The kindness of her smile.

I took a deep breath and tossed the rapier far into the trees.

Just as I began to relax, the arrow whistled through the air, striking me in the other shoulder.

I gasped, the force of it knocking me off Regan and onto the ground. My vision blurred for a moment from the pain. But through the haze, I could already feel the wound beginning to heal.

"Not... like... this..." I growled, the blood pounding in my ears.

I yanked the arrow out of my shoulder, ignoring the pain as I cast it aside. Regan was already coming towards me. I moved faster, catching her by the ankle and tossing her to the ground, then leaping atop her. I pulled the dagger from my boot, throwing the sheath onto the ground and held it poised over her face.

I saw the look of terror in her eyes, the raw fear.

You might need her. Think carefully, Orcades' voice warned.

For a moment, I didn't care. I wanted to let the bloodlust take me over completely. This rush felt good. I could bury Coregon's dagger in Regan's evil little heart and be done with it. After all, she deserved it after everything she'd done to me.

I pulled my arm back, then lifted my hand and struck Regan directly under the chin with the heel of my palm. For a moment, her head rocked back and forth. Then her body went limp.

Breathing heavily, I stood up and turned my gaze to Quinn, who still sat up in the tree, her bow drawn.

"I don't want to kill you," I called up to her. "But I will if I have to."

Quinn let the arrow fly.