Page 192 of On Wings of Blood

She fell to the ground in a heap then leaped to her feet and dashed towards me.

But Blake was faster.

In a blur of motion, he came between us.

“Aenia, stop!” Power flowed through the words. His voice carried the unmistakable command of thrallweave.

Aenia froze mid-lunge, her body trembling violently as she tried to shake off his hold. Her tiny fists shook at her side, her face twisted with fury. But she couldn't move.

I’d had no idea he could do anything like that. That he could use thrallguard on another highblood. Then I wondered if anyone really knew what Blake Drakharrow was truly capable of, least of all me.

Blake scooped up Aenia again, holding her more tightly, her arms pinned at her sides.

“Can you get the girl back to the tower alone?” His voice was strained but controlled.

I nodded tightly. “I think so. What are you going to do with her?”

Blake didn’t answer.

“You can’t keep letting her hurt people.” The image of the little fluffin I'd found injured on the beach flashed through my mind.“First it was the fluffin. And now look at her! I know she's your sister, but she nearly killed this child. How many others has she already killed that you don’t know about?”

“It’s none of your concern. You think I don’t already know all of this?” Blake snarled.

“I have no idea what you know and don't know,” I said slowly. “Or if you really care.”

“I’m here, aren’t I?” he spat.

“Then what are you going to do about it?” I demanded. “Because if you don’t stop her, she’ll keep hurting people. She would have killed this girl and you know it. What happens next time?”

Blake's gaze darkened. “This isn’t the time or the place for this conversation. I’ll handle Aenia. You just take care of the girl.”

“How?” I started to say.

He turned towards me, his face dark with fury. “Maybe you didn’t hear me the first time, Pendragon. Take the girl and get out of here.Now.”

He didn’t use thrallguard, I’d give him that much. But there was power in his voice nonetheless.

I took a step back. “Fine. So you’ll just keep covering for her, protecting her, while she tears apart blightborn children as if they’re nothing.” I shook my head. “I guess I’m an idiot for thinking any highblood would actually care about something like that.”

Blake’s face hardened, but he didn’t reply.

I turned and began to walk back through the dark tunnels, cradling Poppy in my arms.

The little girl’s breaths were weak and shallow, but reassuring in their steadiness.

As I passed the room with the large dragon skull the ground beneath my feet suddenly shifted. A low rumble began, growing louder and louder, causing the very stones underfoot to vibrate.

I picked up my pace, half-running, half-walking through the dim passageways.

Chunks of stone began raining down from the ceiling. I stumbled, my knees hitting the cold, hard ground. As debris fell around us, I curled my body over the little girl’s, shielding her as best I could.

The tremor finally passed leaving silence in its wake.

When I was sure it was over, I struggled back to my feet, legs wobbling as I held the child close.

Fifteen minutes later, I finally reached the First Year Common Room. I burst through the door, sweat pouring down my face.

Florence rushed towards me.

---