Page 106 of On Wings of Blood

“So they tell me.” I forced a weak smile.

“That may be part of the problem,” Professor Wispwood murmured. “It’s possible that’s blocking or interfering with these tests. I can’t say for certain where your abilities lie or if you even have any. You certainly don’t have any clear aptitudes. We’d have to conduct more advanced tests to understand your full potential. For now, I’ll have to put down that your assessment was inconclusive. Perhaps we can try it again next year.”

I felt disappointment well up. I had hoped for some answer, some direction. Instead, this seemed like a step back. How could I even perform a ritual to undo a soul-binding if I had no magic to guide it?

Just as I turned to leave, Professor Wispwood spoke again, her tone more measured. “There is one historical case that comes to mind regarding your earlier question about expelling a soul.”

My heart leaped. “Yes?”

“Centuries ago, a highblood forcibly bound his soul to a mortal mage. The mage, a skilled arcanist, found a way to separate their souls using a forbidden ritual. It worked, but at a heavy cost. The vampire’s soul was destroyed. The mortal survived, but her mind was shattered. She lived the rest of her days in madness.”

Professor Wispwood’s eyes met mine, sharp and knowing yet kindly. “Blood magic is not a path to walk lightly. We’re fortunate to have the four houses to guide us. A consultation with someone in House Drakharrow might be what you're looking for if you have any more questions on this subject. If you’d like a referral, there are some excellent students who might be willing to mentor you." She tapped a finger to her lips. “Of course, you wouldn’t be able to assist in their spellcasting based on what your assessment just showed, but there’s much you could learn from observation and I’m sure they could use an extra scribe.”

“Thank you. I’ll consider that, Professor Wispwood,” I said quietly, and left the room.

You’ve been awfully quiet considering everything,I said inside my head as I walked down the hall.

Orcades was silent for a moment.Well, I suppose it’s simply that I have no wish to steal my daughter’s life.

I froze.

Next came a feeling of overwhelming relief.

Some part of me had secretly been worried. My mother had been a powerful, near-immortal fae princess, after all. Even in death she had managed to somehow survive and weave our fates together. If she had wanted to take over my body, could she have done it?

You are my child, she continued.My love for you knows no bounds. I agree this situation does grow tedious. No child should be so constricted by a parent. Should I have found myself in your position, no doubt I would have chafed against it just as you do.

I felt a lump in my throat.So you do understand.

She sighed.I know you are not ungrateful, my dear one. I wish we could have gotten to know one another better under different circumstances. Ideally face to face. But I doubt that is ever to be. After this, I suspect I will leave this plane, once I am no longer bound in your vessel. In the end, perhaps that is for the best.

She spoke so calmly of the finality of her own demise.

But I didn’t want to lose her. Not completely.

There was a difference between not wanting to share my mind with my mother and not wanting her out of my life completely.

I’d be alone, without you, I said, reminding myself of a plaintive child.

You won’t be alone,she said with tenderness.Already you’ve made friends. You’ll thrive like a rose, even in this dark place.I could almost hear the smile in her voice.You’ll give these highbloods hell, I have no doubt.

A pause.

There is something I have been meaning to mention, she said.

My heart sped up.Yes?

I may have inadvertently already made some...changes.

Changes? Changes to what?I clenched my jaw.Changes to me?

“How dare you show your face in these halls, blightborn bitch?”

A pair of hands roughly shoved me against the wall. I fell against it with a cry, my shoulder colliding painfully with the stone.

“What the fuck?” I exclaimed, trying to turn my head.

There was a flourish of black as their robe whipped about them, some laughter, and then whoever it had been was gone.

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