Page 197 of On Wings of Blood

I could feel my frustration rising. “So that’s it? I’m supposed to risk my life in these Games and you're going to just sit there judging me?”

Rodriguez raised an eyebrow.

My temper flared. “It sounds to me as if you need me to survive more than you’re willing to admit. Why don’t you help me instead of just dancing around everything?”

Rodriguez tilted his head. “There’s already someone out there who’s willing to help you. The question is, will you let them?”

I knew immediately who he must mean. I scowled. “Blake Drakharrow?”

Rodriguez nodded. “I didn’t say it would be easy.”

He pushed back his chair. “This meeting is at an end. We’ll reschedule our thrallguard session. Be here tomorrow at the same time.” He smiled at me coldly, then pointed to the door.

Shaking my head, I marched out of the room, unsure if I should be feeling apologetic, ashamed, or furious. Maybe all three.

When I got back to my room the next evening after dinner in the refectory, a note had been slipped under my door. My heart sped up.

I picked it up, unfolded it, and read.

The handwriting was neat and slanted, written in black ink, and decidedly masculine.

“Midnight. The Dragon Court. Come alone if you want a weapon to wield against me.”

I stared at the words. There was no doubt in my mind the note was from Blake.

What the hell was this? Some kind of a trap?

Blake was dangerous. He was a killer. He was a highblood. I had no idea what kind of evil shit he was really involved in. The Adoration Rite had just been a taste of the corruption that ran through the veins of this dark and twisted kingdom–and through his own.

But Florence had told me how he’d brought me back the other night when I’d been sleepwalking.

I’d had restless nights of late and when I woke, I couldn’t even remember what I’d been dreaming about. I never used to sleepwalk. I supposed I should have been grateful it had been Blake who’d found me and not someone else.

Regan would probably have just shoved me over a cliff.

The promise of learning something about Blake that could tilt the balance of power between us in my favor was too tempting to ignore. And then there was the advice Professor Rodriguez had given me.

When midnight came around, I slipped out of the Common Room and navigated the winding corridors until I reached the open expanse of the Dragon Court.

The night was cool and crisp. A light snow was falling, coating the statues with white.

Blake stood in the middle of the court, his back to me. His tall frame was draped in his customary black coat, the fabric hugging his lean, muscular shoulders. He turned his headslightly and my heart caught in my throat, taking in his knifelike cheekbones, his angular nose. He was imperial, imposing, perfect in his imperfections.

He might have been mine. If I’d really wanted to claim him.

My heart skipped a beat as he noticed me and turned fully around, his gray eyes glimmering with a hint of latent danger.

In his own terrifying way, I knew Blake wanted me. In his own terrifying way, he might even believe he cared about me.

But I knew the truth. He wanted to own me, possess me, use me up.

What he felt was the same thing I did–desire merged with loathing.

If I let those dark impulses consume me, I knew it would be my undoing.

“So,” he said, his voice low. “You came.”

I crossed my arms over my chest as if I could protect myself from his presence. “I’m here. What do you want?”

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