Page 211 of On Wings of Blood

Visha and Evander exchanged a look.

Visha shrugged. “Probably not. I doubt it. If Regan can get away with all of her bullshit, I doubt they can punish us for ours.”

“What would have happened to me if you hadn’t helped me? If I hadn’t been able to make it across on my own?”

“You probably don’t want to know,” Visha said smoothly. “Blake would have been furious though.”

In other words, I’d have died. Would Professor Wispwood have done it? Or someone else? For all I knew, Bloodwing had a special executioner on staff.

And if I’d died, Blake would have been unhappy. Because he actually cared about me? Or because it would have been a blow to his precious reputation?

“Not to mention his uncle,” Evander muttered. I wondered if that was how Visha had gotten him to comply. If he was more worried about Viktor Drakharrow than about Blake.

“All right,” I said, taking a breath. “I guess I’m on my own from here.” I thought of something else. “That white circlet that Professor Wispwood took off my head when I woke up. What was it?”

Visha’s eyes widened slightly and she exchanged another look with Evander.

She cleared her throat. “I wouldn’t worry about that right now.”

I narrowed my eyes. “What was it, Visha?”

She sighed. “I didn’t see it. But if it’s what I think it is, then it’s called the Crown of Bone.”

“Bone? What kind of bone?”

“Dragon bone. It’s part of an old tradition. They probably used it because you’re a blightborn. Don’t worry about it right now.” She must have seen the stubborn look in my eyes. “Look, all you need to know is that you can still get out of this place if you try.”

“Fine. So what’s next?” I demanded. “You two obviously know a lot more about what to expect than I do.”

Visha shrugged. “We’ll split up for now. You’ll wander around. Just hang out. Try not to fall into any traps. Don’t get eaten by any wild animals. If you’re still feeling groggy then stay out of Regan’s way if you see her.”

“And then?” I asked cautiously. “That’s it? That’s all there is to it?”

“Of course not. That would be too easy, wouldn’t it?” Visha snickered. “Get across the island. Meet us on the other side. There’s sure to be at least one or two more challenges. You’ll need another consort’s help for at least one of them. Evander and I will be there waiting. One of us will help you finish this.”

“Not if I beat you there first,” I said automatically.

Visha raised an angular eyebrow. “That’s the spirit.”

She stepped towards me and lowered her voice. “Just watch out for Regan. I know she sees this as her chance to get at you now that Blake’s not around to stop her. You’re in rough shape. This probably isn’t the best time to take her on.” She glanced at Evander who had turned his back to us and was staring into the trees, tapping his foot impatiently. “Look, I’d stay with you but Evander is scared we’re going to get in trouble for all of this. I doubt we are. It’s clear that we can push the boundaries. I think theywantus to. Besides, Regan’s the one who tore up the playbook first. She’s breaking all of the rules. We’re just helping to even the field. I’ve got your back, but I have to have Evander’s, too.”

Our eyes met. I stared into Visha’s violet ones, still unable to quite believe I was going to trust her.

I nodded. “All right.”

She started to walk away.

“Visha,” I called. She turned back. “You really did all this just because Blake told you to?”

“For Blake, sure. But not just because of him. I fucking hate Regan,” she said with a grin that showed her pointed fangs. “I’ve been waiting for this for years. I can’t wait to see what happens to her after today.” She shot me a thoughtful look. “You’re not as weak as you look either, Pendragon. Get your shit together and you’ll be fine. Go drink some water. Good luck out there.”

“Good luck,” I echoed as she walked away with Evander.

For the next hour or so, I moved through the dense jungle, the thick, humid air making the fabric of my tunic stick to me like a second skin. Before long, I’d removed off my vest and tied it around my hips. Then I pulled off my tunic, ripped away the bottom half and used the extra fabric to tie back my hair so the heavy curls weren’t sticking to my face and neck. My midriff was now exposed and I supposed I might get a few more insect bites, but at least I could breathe better this way.

The heavy fog from the drug was lifting. At times I felt a wave of dizziness but I could mostly push it away. And something else was starting to kick in. The effects of Blake’s blood. I could feel them working my way through my system. I was under more stress and strain. I figured that was kicking the effects of the blood into high gear. I could feel the change in my body, the power coursing through me.

Ever since my fight with Visha that day in Advanced Weaponry, I’d been honing the advantages of my rider's build with Professor Sankara's help. But no matter how hard I’d worked, Iknew there was no way I would ever be as strong or as fast as a highblood.

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