Page 236 of On Wings of Blood

I bit my lip, trying to hold back my laughter as Blake, looking guilty as a child caught stealing from a candy store, stuffed the fluffin into the canvas duffel bag he had slung over his shoulder. The pup’s head stuck out from the top of the bag, his pointed ears twitching as he surveyed the courtyard, evidently unbothered by his confinement.

Blake’s face was still slightly red. I put a hand to my mouth to stop myself from laughing out loud. I didn’t think I’d ever seen him this flustered.

His eyes met mine as he scanned the crowd. I caught the faintest hint of a smile tugging at his lips before he turned away again.

Meanwhile, Headmaster Kim was reading through the list of First Year names. He’d already gotten all the way through the Cs.

I shifted back and forth on my feet restlessly, waiting with Florence and Vaughn for our names to be called.

Around us, one by one, students stepped forward to face their future.

Again and again the stone lit up in various colors.

Finally it was my turn.

“Medra Pendragon.”

I took a deep breath as the sound of my name rang out around the courtyard. Heads turned toward me.

I approached the Selection Stone, my hand trembling slightly as I raised it over the orb. I lowered it, touching the stone. It pulsed faintly beneath my fingers. I pressed my palm firmly against it, trying not to think of the last time I’d touched a magical object. The Crown of Bone.

The stone glowed. Vibrant red flared to life beneath my palm.

House Drakharrow.

I pulled my hand away and started walking towards the red dragon.

This had always been my fate. Right from the start. I was bound to House Drakharrow. Always had been.

So why did an uneasy feeling stir inside my chest?

The other students made way as I moved to stand beside Blake.

“I wasn’t aware that animals were allowed to attend Selection Day,” I whispered, tilting my head up to his ear.

He flushed. “Neville wasn’t aware there was a rule against it. If one exists, he believes it should be rewritten.”

“Neville can’t decide who he loves better, you or Florence. I think he thinks you’re both his pets and not the other way around,” I said with delight. “Or is it that you’re cheating? Have you been luring him away from Florence and the First Year Tower with treats?”

Blake shook his head, his lips twitching. “Soon Neville won’t have to make such hard decisions about where his home lies. Watch.”

Headmaster Kim had reached the surnames beginning with S. He called Vaughn’s name.

The orb glowed red the moment Vaughn placed his hand upon it.

“One down,” I murmured, bouncing up and down on the heels of my feet. Then I thought of something. I glanced up at Blake. “Did you...?”

He looked down at me. “Hmm?”

“Hmm indeed,” I said archly, as Vaughn walked up to us, wearing a disappointed expression.

I patted him on the back. “It won’t be that bad,” I whispered. “We’ll stick together.”

He nodded, but I knew this wasn’t what he’d wanted.

Had Blake selected Vaughn to try to appease Theo? Or for me?

Florence’s name was being called.

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