Page 30 of On Wings of Blood

I got the impression he was eager to change the subject.

“The weirdo house,” Quinn muttered across the table. She stood up. “Well, I’m off.” She glanced down at me, then shook her head as if there was no point saying good-bye politely.

I waited until she was out of earshot, then asked, “What did she mean by that? About House Orphos?”

Theo waved a hand. “Oh, you know. House Orphos has a reputation. They’re rather... enigmatic.”

“He means they’re useless,” Coregon added. “Weak.”

“They’re generally considered to be the least powerful house, yes,” Theo admitted. “Though Lysander could change that impression with time. It wasn’t always so. There’s always one house that’s generally considered weaker.”

Coregon was rising to his feet. “Well, good luck today, Medra.”

“Thanks,” I said with surprise, checking the clock high up on the wall. It was only five minutes to nine. Classes didn’t begin until nine-thirty. “You’re off, too?”

He exchanged a glance with Theo. “I like to be early. There’s some prep work I have to see to. I’m helping one of the professors.”

Around us, the refectory was emptying out. But Theo didn’t look concerned at all. He was helping himself to another plate of fried potatoes.

“So who did you drink from this morning, Theo?” I asked politely, watching him.

He paused with his fork midway to his mouth. “You know, we don’t need to feed all the time. And we don’t need to kill when we feed. As I’ve said, some choose to do so, but many don’t. It’s generally looked down upon these days as overly brutal. Bad form. You get the idea.” He chewed a potato, then added, “Besides, most of us use the servants. We highbloods make sure to have a few on hand. If worse comes to worse, we just grab a First Year.”

I blanched and Theo burst out laughing.

“That was a joke,” he said.

“Very funny. Ha ha,” I muttered.

“Well, here comes Regan.” Theo pushed back his plate and stood up. “Guess we should be heading to class.”

All around us, the hall had cleared out, except for a few servants who were scurrying about carrying dirty dishes and scrubbing the tables.

“Goodness, what a trek that was,” Regan said breathlessly. She was dressed impeccably in a lilac wool sweater and a silky matching skirt. “I think I’ll take some kava to go. Theo, you’re such a dear for minding Medra.”

Theo bowed. “Anything for you, Regan.” He looked at me. “Well, good-bye, Medra. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.” He winked one last time and then was gone.

CHAPTER 5 - MEDRA

“That boy.” Regan took a sip from the mug she’d just filled. “He’ll be the death of Blake with all of his ridiculous antics. I think I’ll carry this as we walk. Very carefully, of course.” She laughed as if she’d said something funny and I forced a smile, trying not to think about vampires and blood.

We went slowly down the corridor, with Regan taking careful sips from her drink.

She seemed preoccupied.

That was all right with me as my mind was busy considering all that I’d learned.

Blake was still an ass. But Theo could grow on me. Coregon was a neutral. He seemed to be trying to give me a fair chance, which was more than I could say for Visha or Quinn.

Quinn was a bitch, but maybe we’d warm up to each other eventually. Visha had left too quickly for me to get much of a read on her.

Were these people really my future friends? The students I’d be spending the most time with?

I glanced at Regan. Her silver hair swayed gently as she walked. She’d called us practically sisters. Was that what we were going to be?

I’d never had a sister. I was an only child.

Having a sister might have been nice. But I wasn’t sure I wanted one who was also a vampire.

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