Page 5 of The Bond That Burns

I gasped, drawing in a long breath.

I felt Blake’s hand touch my shoulder, as if to help me stand, but I pushed it away without even looking at him.

“How dare you interrupt? How dare you even enter this place?” Viktor took a step towards Rodriguez and for a moment, I was frightened for my professor.

But Rodriguez didn’t back down.

“This is a highblood matter,” Viktor hissed. “You should not be here, blightborn. Get out.”

Rodriguez’s fists were clenched. I watched as Blake moved to stand behind the professor, his face ashen.

“I do dare,” Rodriguez said, his voice low and menacing. He stepped further into the circle defiantly. “This girl has given you precisely what you’ve always wanted, Viktor. She’s made history here today. She’s brought you back a dragon.” He swept his gaze over the gathered crowd of highbloods. “And instead of thanking her, what are you all doing? Standing here and preparing to tear her apart like a pack of vultures.”

Natsumi Avari stepped up beside Rodriguez and Blake. “He’s right, Viktor. Besides, you know thrallweave can do lasting damage when used so forcefully. Do you want to keep yourrider in one piece or don’t you?” I stared up at her, stunned, as she inclined her head. “On behalf of House Avari, I thank you, Medra Pendragon, for your service here today.”

The words were double-edged and everyone there knew it. Still, I nodded.

An aftershock of pain rippled through me and I put a hand to my temples, then yanked it away in shock as I felt a sticky wetness. Blood.

Blake moved forward. “Here. Medra, let me...”

I ignored him and tried to push myself up with my own strength.

Rodriguez crouched down beside me. “Here,” he murmured, his hands strong and surprisingly gentle as he helped me to my feet. “Take your time.”

I nodded, swallowing tears of anger and frustration, leaning on Rodriguez as I slowly stood up.

I could feel Viktor’s eyes on me, his still anger pulsing towards me. But he made no move to cast thrallweave on me again.

He didn’t need to. He’d have me locked in his tower soon and could try again anytime.

“Very well, Professor,” Viktor said, his voice dripping with disdain. “Let the rider rest tonight. She’ll be confined in Drakharrow Tower to await the judgment of the tribunal.”

Rodriguez straightened. “Fine. I’ll escort Miss Pendragon there myself.”

Without waiting for an answer, he began to guide me away from the group of gawking highbloods.

I saw Blake begin to follow, then hesitate. Before he could change his mind and come after us, I saw Viktor approach him and put a hand on his arm. He turned to speak to his uncle and that was the last I saw of him.

Together, Rodriguez and I walked out of the courtyard, leaving the others behind. I felt a sense of relief settle over me as we exited, even though I knew it was temporary. The halls were quiet as we made our way through Bloodwing towards the tower.

“You did well,” Rodriguez said as we walked. He glanced at me. “In truth, I can’t believe you kept him out.”

“Neither can I,” I said bluntly. “I don’t know how I did it. I thought he was supposed to be...”

“He is,” Rodriguez cut in. He was speaking quickly. Too quickly. It was clear there were things he wanted to say and he didn’t think we had much time. “Medra, the school shuts down for Summerfell tomorrow. All of the students will be gone and most of the professors. I usually stay, but...” He let the sentence hang there unfinished. He wasn’t sure he’d be permitted to remain. “I’m not sure we’ll have another chance to talk before the start of the next school year.”

“You don’t think they’ll let you see me? Even to visit?” My heart sank. If there was anyone who could help me through this, it was Rodriguez.

He shrugged. “If it’s up to Viktor...”

“He’ll want to know how I shut him out,” I guessed. “He’ll be furious that you’ve been tutoring me.”

A smile flickered over Rodriguez’s face. “Let him be. It was Headmaster Kim’s decision. And his indiscretion.”

“He can’t fault either of you for training me. You can position it as protecting me from the other houses,” I suggested.

Rodriguez nodded.

---