Page 222 of On Wings of Blood

I drew a deep sobbing breath.It’s too hard. Those motherfuckers. They planned it. All of it.

There was a pause, as if she was hesitating.The crown.

No,I said.No, no, no.Then I thought of the dream I’d woken up from. Of Professor Wispwood lifting the circlet off my head.

The pain stung even worse.They made me choose, I said hollowly.They got into my head and they made me choose this. I did this.

You didn’t choose this,Orcades insisted.Not consciously.

But I did. It could have been Florence.

Florence, the sweet, smart, bookish girl who I had come to love like a sister.

The crown had sat atop my head, piercing my thoughts with its bitter powers. And it had seen something I’d never have admitted out loud. That I loved Florence more than Naveen. It had taken my two dearest friends and made a mockery of friendship, of love, of loyalty.

The only thing you can do for Naveen now,my mother said,is let him die with dignity.

Dignity?I let out a choking hiccuping sob and rolled away as another spider-like limb pierced down where I’d just been.How can there be any dignity when they’ve done this to him?

It’s a mercy killing, my mother said softly.Think of the boy’s parents.

I knew she was right. That didn’t make it feel any less like a betrayal.

The creature that was once Naveen let out an inhuman screech and darted towards me with unnatural speed. I dodged, but this time I wasn’t fast enough. Maybe I didn’t want to be.

One of his long, spindly legs caught my side, slashing me open with sharp, needle-like claws.

I knocked it aside with the buckler, then rolled away, clutching at my ribs, feeling the blood seep through my fingers.

For a moment, pain coursed through me and the thought crossed my mind: What if I just let it happen? Blake’s blood couldn’t heal me fast enough if I just let Naveen attack me over and over again. It would be painful but quick. This entire nightmare would finally be over. I’d have escaped.

Don’t you dare,my mother’s voice warned sternly.You end him now before he ends you. Think beyond yourself. Beyond this moment. Take courage. Beyond the darkness lies the light.

Light.

I tried to do as she said. I thought of Florence. Her kindness and her brilliance.

I thought of Blake, whose bullying had evolved into a strange protection. Blake who I couldn’t quite bring myself to fully hate.

I even thought of the fluffin, ridiculous Neville with his soft fur and happy nature, scooting back and forth across the school, unable to decide if he belonged to Florence or to Blake. He saw something good in each of them, something maybe even I hadn’t fully glimpsed yet.

They were waiting for me. Blake didn’t want me to fail. He’d given me his blood to make sure I got out of here.

I thought of Naveen’s parents. My heart ached. I owed them this much. Their son deserved a peaceful end. Better he find his rest at my hands than at Regan’s.

Tears blurred my vision. I blinked them away, determination filling my chest.

The spider-creature charged again, its legs clattering against the floor in a horrifying rhythm.

I dodged to the side, ignoring the sting of my wound.

I was faster this time. I didn’t hesitate.

I swiped at one of the spider’s legs, severing it at the joint. Naveen screeched in agony, staggering back.

I thought of Florence, watching back at Bloodwing, and the tears poured down my face.

I knew what I had to do. But my sword felt heavy in my hand.

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