Page 118 of On Wings of Blood

My eyes darted around until they landed on a large bag over in the corner where Blake had been practicing before I'd interrupted him. It was half-concealed by a stack of practice weapons, so I hadn’t even noticed it before.

I walked over, my pulse finally beginning to slow to a normal pace after the fight. The bag was made of worn black canvas, the kind of duffel that just blended into the shadows. It was big enough to carry bulky training gear, the kind most highblood students would use to store their personal equipment.

But this one had mesh sides, open to let gear or sweaty training clothes ventilate.

I knelt down and unbuckled the top of the bag and there, nestled between some folded clothes and towels, was the fluffin. His wide, owl-like eyes blinked up at me. Then he yapped again, louder this time, and jumping up a little, licked my hand.

My stomach twisted in confusion. Blake had brought the fluffin to Advanced Weaponry. Why?

I looked the little creature over. He seemed to be fully healed.

Blake had brought the fluffin to give it back to me. He’d done what I’d asked and he’d been planning to return it. Then I’d attacked him and he’d been called away to the arena and forgotten all about it.

“Medra!”

I turned at the sound of my name.

Vaughn stood by the entrance.

Picking up the black bag and gently pushing the fluffin’s head back down, I walked towards him.

“Vaughn. What are you doing here?”

“Why did you attack Blake Drakharrow?” He was chewing his lip nervously.

“You already know why,” I said slowly. “He attacked you.”

He shook his head slowly. “I didn’t say that.”

My heart sped up. “You didn’t have to. It was written all over your face. Someone from Theo’s house did this to you. Who else but Blake?”

Vaughn looked miserably. “It wasn’t him.”

His words hit me like a slap in the face.

“What? What do you mean it wasn’t him?”

“We have to go, Medra. Attendance at the House Leadership ceremony is compulsory.Verycompulsory.” He grabbed my arm and I realized how frightened he was. “Let’s go.”

I followed him into the hall as he half-dragged, half-pulled me.

The corridor was empty. Bloodwing had never seemed so quiet.

I pulled away. “I’m not going anywhere until you tell me who did that to you.”

Vaughn covered his hands with his face. “I didn’t want any of this.”

“I know,” I said. “I’m sorry.”

He lowered his hands and looked at me. “It was Coregon Phiri.”

“What?” My head started to spin. “Are you telling me the truth, Vaughn?”

“It wasn’t Blake,” he said firmly. “It was Coregon. In fact...” He hesitated.

“What?”

“We have to go, Medra. At least walk and talk.”

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