Page 52 of On Wings of Blood

CHAPTER 10 - MEDRA

I woke up with a groan, my eyelids fluttering open.

Everything hurt.

I looked up at the ceiling overhead. It was familiar.

Dark blue with silver stars.

I was in my room.

I tried to push myself up but a hand settled on my chest, gently pushing me back down again.

“Not yet, Medra. Rest.” Florence. Her voice was gentle.

I managed to turn my head and look at her. “What happened?”

She chewed her lip for a moment, thinking. Probably of how to tell me something bad in the nicest way possible.

“The healer just left,” she said finally. “You’re supposed to stay in bed, at least until tomorrow morning. They’ll be around to check in on you at seven o’clock. Then, if they say you can get up, you’re to go and see Headmaster Kim in his office at eight.”

I groaned. “Wonderful.”

Florence rose to her feet. “Are you in pain? Is it bad? The healer left a tea for you with some herbs for the pain. I can give you a dose, but it will make you drowsy.”

I pushed myself up onto my elbows, ignoring Florence’s look of worry. “What time is it?”

“It’s just past ten. You’ve slept for almost six hours.”

I felt as if I’d slept much longer than that. My body felt terrible. But considering I’d leaped off a giant statue, I felt better than I had any right to.

“Headmaster Kim wants to know who did this to you,” Florence said carefully. “I told him I didn’t know. But I’m sure he’ll ask you again about it in the morning.”

I nodded.

“Was it...?” Florence’s voice trailed off.

Did she even want to know?

I met her dark brown eyes.

“Regan?” she breathed.

I tried to shrug but failed and instead slumped back onto the pillows. “I mean, I’ve never experienced anything like that before, but yeah, I’m pretty sure it was her. It felt like her. It felt... awful.”

I sighed. “Look, Florence. I think you should go. You probably shouldn’t even be here.”

Florence’s face shifted into confusion. “What do you mean?”

“I mean, it’s clear Regan has it out for me. And she’s a very powerful girl. You said so yourself. She doesn’t exactly have my best interests at heart and she’s popular at Bloodwing, right? So having her as my enemy is bound to be bad. If you’re seen with me, she’ll think we’re friends...”

“We are friends,” Florence said.

“No, we’re not,” I said firmly. “We don’t have to be. It’s not too late for you. Or for Naveen. You can just...”

“What? Run the other way?” Florence sounded put off. But that was okay. Better that she hate me now and be safe later.

“Not run exactly, but find other friends. You’re a brilliant student. Naveen said you have a ton of potential. I don’t think I’m the best person for you to be seen with.”

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