Page 12 of On Wings of Blood

Nevertheless, a warmth flooded through me and I found my lips parting before I could stop myself.

“My name is Medra Pendragon, my lord.”

A wave of murmurs spread through the crowd. I did my best to ignore them.

“As for where I come from...” I cleared my throat. “You would not believe me if I told you.”

Another ripple went through the crowd and I saw the older man frown as if I had said something inadvertently defiant.

“You have no knowledge of Sangratha? Of the Thralldom?”

I shook my head. “I don’t even know what those words mean.”

Though “thralldom” was pretty clear. I disliked the implications. Was this vampire kingdom based entirely upon slavery or some form of it?

“All I ask, my lord,” I said, continuing onwards as carefully as I could. “Is for your forbearance and mercy. I may have been found in your land, yes, but I had no intention of being here. I did not mean to trespass. I wish only to return home.”

The man was silent for a long moment.

Then, “Tell me, Medra Pendragon, how does one find oneself in a strange land as you did? And having no knowledge of how you found yourself here, how could you possibly return home? Whereishome?”

I opened my mouth, then closed it again. He was right. I had no idea how to traverse worlds as I had apparently done purely by accident. I had been snatched somehow from the jaws of death but not by my doing or my choice.

“Your silence speaks volumes. You do not speak of your home. Therefore, are you a spy?”

“I’ve forgotten it,” I blurted out. “I’ve forgotten my home. If I’m a spy, I’ve forgotten that, too. But I know I don’t belong here.”

“How convenient,” the man said softly. “And yet perhaps this is precisely where you belong. Now tell me, what other dangerous information have you forgotten?”

I lifted my chin. “I said I’ve lost my memories. Not that I mean you any harm. There’s no need for you all to be so suspicious. Why do you stare at me? Because of my hair? Red hair is not so rare where I come from. I remember that much. Is this realm so weak that you see me as a threat?”

The room erupted with noise.

“Silence!” the other man on the platform, the one who resembled Blake, bellowed. “We will have order here or the hall shall be cleared.”

Quiet descended immediately. Around me people shifted uncomfortably, no one daring to look up at the man on the platform.

“If I may, Lord Drakharrow.”

It was the young woman in the violet dress. She stepped forward, her hands clasped modestly together.

So, the man who would deal my fate was related to Blake Drakharrow. Was this his father?

“Miss Pansera.” Lord Drakharrow smiled indulgently. “Do you have wisdom to impart to the court?”

The young woman gave a simpering smile. “To believe I had any wisdom to impart toyou, Lord Drakharrow, would be the utmost presumption.”

A titter of laughter came from the crowd. But the laughter was gentle. She was one of them, after all.

The young woman took a small step forward, her eyes coming to rest on me.

“No, no wisdom, my lord. Simply anger.”

“Anger, Miss Pansera?” Lord Drakharrow’s eyebrows rose.

“Anger at this creature.”

I bristled.

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