Page 59 of On Wings of Blood

“Professor Sankara had relevant input to give regarding one of Miss Pendragon’s classes,” the headmaster replied, clearly trying to keep his temper. “As you can see, not all of Miss Pendragon’s professors are present. Professor Hassan is notably absent. We are sorting out Miss Pendragon’s curriculum this morning and I did not think every teacher at Bloodwing needed to be in attendance.”

“As you should be,” Rodriguez said. “Sorting it out, I mean. And that’s where I come in. We all witnessed Pendragon’s little debacle yesterday afternoon, didn’t we? Or else heard of it.”

I flushed. I had no doubt the whole school would be talking about it today and laughing in my face.

“Many students have thrallweave used on them inappropriately from time to time, Rodriguez.” Headmaster Kim waved a hand dismissively. “A childish prank. If that’s all this is about...”

“It’s not,” Rodriguez interrupted. “Though, from what I saw, it’s a wonder Miss Pendragon didn’t die. You got into her head, too, didn’t you, Kim? Tried to stop whoever was using her? Told her to get down immediately? And then she jumped off the top of the dragon’s head?”

Headmaster Kim said nothing.

“Just as I thought,” Rodriguez said, sounding satisfied. “She’s ridiculously susceptible. She’s a danger to herself and to others. Do you really want your only dragon rider pupil killing herself because some jealous highblood student tells her to? I’m sureViktor Drakharrow would love to hear that his nephew’s consort died in her very first week of class.”

I could see the headmaster beginning to bristle.

“And don’t tell me there are no dragons so it doesn’t matter,” Rodriguez added before the headmaster could speak. “We all know Viktor...”

“Lord Drakharrow,” the headmaster interrupted.

“Yes, yes. Lord Drakharrow. We all know Lord Drakharrow has a bee in his bonnet about getting the dragons back. He won’t accept that they’re gone forever. And now that this girl has appeared, he certainly won’t take keenly to her being lost as soon as she’s found.” Rodriguez paused his tirade, still breathing hard. “Does he even know? Lord Drakharrow, I mean. That Miss Pendragon was gravely injured multiple times on her very first day?”

“She was not gravely injured in my class, Gabriel,” Professor Sankara said, with a frown. “Some small injuries are typical for Advanced Weaponry.” I thought of my broken ribs and nose but said nothing. “She held her own.”

“Really, Sebastian?” Rodriguez raised a dark eyebrow. “I wasn’t expecting denial from your quarter. From what I hear, Miss Pendragon’s nose was broken and she had to be escorted through the halls by Blake Drakharrow lest the highblood first years swarm her and make her their feast.”

“Blake Drakharrow is her betrothed. Who else would you have had escort her?” Sankara said, looking baffled.

Rodriguez glanced at me. He was the last person I’d expected to find as an ally. And yet... here he was. It was strange.

“How would you help me, Professor?” I asked, speaking up for the first time since his arrival. “I didn’t think there was anything to do about the thrallweave.”

“Ah, but that’s where you’re mistaken,” Rodriguez said triumphantly. “Every spell has a counterspell. And thrallweave, though it’s taken as innate vampire magic, is still a spell–though one frequently believed species-specific. It is, in fact, not species-specific. Non-highbloods can master thrallweave...”

“You’re saying blightborn can work thrallweave?” the headmaster interrupted, his face credulous. “Impossible.”

“Not impossible. With diligence and hard work it can be done. Though very few mortals have an aptitude for such magic, it’s true,” Rodriguez replied. “In fact, we used to teach such a class here. It was offered to highbloods and select blightborn. Secondary Level Thrallweave, I believe it was called.”

“And I suppose you’re one, are you, Gabriel?” Professor Sankara’s interest seemed genuine. “Have you mastered thrallweave? How very impressive. But then, I’d expect nothing less from you.”

Professor Rodriguez flushed a little just above his worn collar. “I haven’t, no. Not really.” I got the distinct impression he was lying. “But I do have experience with the opposite. Thrallguard.”

“Thrallguard?” I burst out, unable to contain my excitement. “Is that what it sounds like?’

“It’s a defense against thrallweave.” He looked at the headmaster. “One which every dragon rider used to receive proficient training in.”

“That was long ago,” the headmaster said.

“True. But I’m sure Lord Drakharrow would like his pet rider–” I bristled but said nothing. “To receive every possible educational opportunity that the riders of old had,” Rodriguez said.

“You’re suggesting you train Miss Pendragon is this thrallguard spell?” the headmaster said. “Professor Sankara has just successfully argued that she should take his Advanced Weaponry class. With that plus her regular classes and study periods, I’m afraid Miss Pendragon will have enough on her plate.”

“I’d be happy to add another class, Headmaster,” I said quickly. “Maybe I could replace one of my other less suitable classes, like Restoration? Or I could go during lunchtime or after classes are finished. I’d put in the work. Whatever was needed. I swear I would.”

“She sounds enthusiastic to me, Headmaster,” Sankara said with a grin. “Little wonder. If there’s a student out there so determined to do her harm that they had her climb one of the dragons during your speech, then who knows what they might try next? Perhaps Rodriguez is right and it’s not such a bad idea. Just a little unusual.”

“Unusual, yes, but I do have other pupils. She wouldn’t be the first,” Rodriguez said quickly.

“Your first and foremost duty is to teach the classes you’ve been assigned, Gabriel,” the headmaster said coldly. “Not to facilitate your own side projects.”

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