CHAPTER 41 - MEDRA
I stepped into the Dragon Court, tugging my cloak around my shoulders, its edges brushing up against the hem of the black-and-gold gown beneath. Blake’s pendant rested against my collarbone. I touched it gently with one finger. It suddenly felt heavier.
All he wanted was to talk to Nyxaris. So why did I have such a bad feeling about this?
The ground was icy underfoot. Frost glittered across the stones, shining like a field of stars.
I had avoided the courtyard since Nyxaris’s awakening last year. Most of the rubble from his dramatic rebirth had been cleared away. Nothing had been erected to take the place where he had once stood for more than a century as a statue of stone.
Instead, his brethren remained without him. Three massive stone dragons, frozen in time.
I’d once looked at them as beautiful works of art, in awe of the craftsmanship that had gone into creating them. Now I knew the truth. Not art but some kind of dark magic had worked to defile the dragons, keeping them in a horrible captivity that seeped away at their memories, if not their very souls.
My gaze rested on the first dragon I saw. Vorago, the red Inferni of House Drakharrow. Carved from red sandstone, the dragon’s surface was rough and raw. Vorago’s eyes seemed to burn even now, flared nostrils capturing a timeless expression of passion and rage.
I turned my attention to the gold dragon, Molindra, the Luminthar of House Orphos. Rodriguez had said this was the dragon he’d have awakened, if he’d had the choice. The veins of golden marble that ran through Molindra’s stone surface seemed to make her shimmer. Her regal face looked down on me, nostrils flaring delicately, mouth curved in what some might call a smile.
Finally, my eyes fell on Alabryss, the Silvrayne dragon of House Mortis. The white dragon’s expression was serene and tranquil. Yet something about that peace was unsettling. A dragon with ice in its breath and battle in its blood had no place looking so calm.
I glanced up as a reverberating rumble rolled across the night’s sky.
Nyxaris. He appeared against the starry backdrop, his dark wings spread wide. Sweeping downwards, he landed with a thunderous boom, his claws scraping against the frost-slick stones.
Here I am. The resentment in his voice was palpable. Why have you called me here?
I told you. It wasn’t me, it was Blake. He has something to tell you. He said it was important.
Nyxaris looked back at me, his gold eyes narrowed. I do not trust this. The air reeks of deceit.
Well, I do, I said firmly. Trust him, I mean.
I thought of what Blake had said about wanting to apologize to Nyxaris. Was it completely na?ve to think they might start afresh? Not that Nyxaris had plans to be in my life for long, let alone Blake’s.
The sounds of approaching footsteps sent both our heads swiveling towards the far entrance by the cloisters.
Nyxaris bristled. If this is a trap, know that I will not fall easily.
It’s not, I said hotly. I would never do such a thing to you. Surely you know me better than...
I came to an abrupt stop. Because it wasn’t Blake who stepped out of the shadows. Instead, Professor Rodriguez came forward, followed by Kage Tanaka.
Both men carried crossbows.
My stomach dropped. “Rodriguez? Kage? What the hell are you doing here?”
“Medra,” Rodriguez said, his voice hard. “Step away from the dragon.”
I stayed exactly where I was. “What are you doing here?” I demanded again. “Why are you holding those?”
Nyxaris growled, the sound vibrating through the air. But Rodriguez didn’t even flinch.
If they think to harm me with those piddly instruments, they will be disappointed, Nyxaris said, sounding almost bored. Their bolts will shatter against my scales.
That made me feel a little better. But not much. Are you sure?
I am no hatchling, wingless one. My hide has withstood greater threats than those.
“Medra.” Kage spoke up. “Move. You don’t understand. What we’re doing is necessary. We’re not here to hurt you. We’re protecting you.”
Necessary? A word I have heard before. Usually preceding betrayal , Nyxaris murmured.
“I don’t need your protection. And I think I understand plenty,” I snapped. “You’re threatening Nyxaris.”
I will destroy them both now, Nyxaris said, almost idly. You must move out of the path of the flames.
This was getting out of hand fast.
“We’re saving you,” Rodriguez said firmly, raising his crossbow. “Saving all of us.”
Nyxaris shifted behind me. His wings unfurling. If you do not wish them destroyed, then I will depart.
That seemed like a vastly better idea. I couldn’t believe he was giving me a choice. Then I thought of the statues. Perhaps he didn’t wish to risk destroying them.
Yes, please, go. They’re idiots. I’ll deal with them, I said with relief.
The only reason I do not destroy them now is out of respect to you. If I see either of them again, they will be meals, not men .
I understand. That’s incredibly gracious and more than they deserve, I replied hastily.
“Kage,” Rodriguez barked. “Now.”
Kage lunged–not towards Nyxaris as I’d expected, but towards me. I was so shocked that I spun too late. My fists went flying but he caught my wrist mid-strike. I twisted, cloak tangling as I tried to kick out, but Kage’s grip was unyielding. He caught my other arm, pinning it behind my back.
“Let me go,” I screamed, thrashing against him. “You bastard. Let me go!”
Nyxaris roared, his massive body shifting forward. I have changed my mind.
“Nyxaris,” I screamed. “No! Get out of here!”
Rodriguez lifted his crossbow.
Let their pitiful bolts fly, Nyxaris rumbled in my mind. I will crush...
The twang of the bow cut him off. The bolt flew true. I waited for it to glance off the black dragon’s scales and fall to the ground.
But instead, the bolt struck Nyxaris just below his shoulder, piercing through his scales with horrifying ease. His roar of anger suddenly shifted into a cry of pain.
“No!” I shouted, struggling harder against Kage.
Nyxaris staggered forward slightly and I let out a roar of fury at the sight of him like that, dazed and in pain, his golden eyes full of shock.
Then the second bolt hit him. Embedding lower down, deep into his flank.
How? His voice trembled in my mind. Their weapons should not...
Tears were streaming down my face. “What are you doing?” I screamed. “What the fuck are you doing, Rodriguez? Why are you doing this? I will never forgive you. Never .”
Rodriguez stepped forward, looking at me with sympathy in his eyes. I hated him for that. He gestured to the crossbow. “This isn’t just any weapon. You may tell Nyxaris that. He’s probably confused. The bolts were coated in an alchemical compound designed to penetrate dragon hide. A relic of my order.”
“What fucking order?” I blazed. “What are you talking about?”
Nyxaris growled, but his voice was fainter than it had been. His massive body was trembling. The Emberwatch. Dragon...hunters.
Rodriguez knelt down by Nyxaris, yanking the lower bolt free. Blood spilled onto the frozen ground, dark and steaming. Tears blurred my vision as I watched.
“You’re killing him,” I cried.
“We’re not killing him,” Rodriguez answered calmly. “But we need his blood.”
“For what?” I demanded. “What the hell are you doing, Rodriguez? Whatever it is, it’s wrong. It doesn’t take a genius to see that much.”
“Wrong?” Rodriguez stood up, his eyes fiery. “I’ve never done anything more right in my life. It’s the only way to protect you. To protect all of Sangratha. From him.” He gestured to Nyxaris.
“He hasn’t harmed Sangratha,” I cried. “He hasn’t harmed anyone. Except highbloods, that is. I thought you’d be a fan of that.” I stared at the bolt in Rodriguez’s hand. “What are you going to do with the blood?”
“Use it to return him to stone,” Rodriguez said.
“No.” I shook my head frantically. “You can’t do that. He’s been tortured for long enough.”
My eyes locked onto to Nyxaris’s golden ones, his pain evident.
For once, the dragon had no witty remarks. No scathing words. His face looked almost resigned.
“This isn’t happening.” All the while I’d been struggling against Kage, trying to work my arm free.
His grip on my arms tightened painfully. “Medra, stop. Please. You’re only making this harder.”
I kicked him in the shins as hard as I could. “Go fuck yourself, Tanaka.”
But Kage didn’t even flinch. He was strong. As strong as Blake. This wasn’t like going up against Regan or Quinn. Just like Blake, he was built differently—impressively, almost terrifyingly so.
“Nyxaris is a threat to the blightborn, Pendragon,” Rodriguez snapped. “If he remains alive, the fragile balance we’ve had for a century will collapse. Do you know what will happen then? War. Chaos. The loss of lives will be immense. You don’t want me to do this? But what’s the alternative? Let a highblood soul-bond with you? Is that what you want?”
“No,” I gasped, still writhing in Kage’s grip. “But not this. What you’re proposing is evil, Rodriguez. I thought you were a good man.”
His face hardened. “A good man protects his people, no matter the toll it takes on his soul.”
My mother’s voice had been chanting in my head all this time, whispering words of bloodshed. Now I twisted and for just a second, Kage’s grip on my right arm loosened slightly.
My fingers fumbled between the folds of my cloak, finding the hilt of the blade I’d strapped to my thigh in my room in the Avari tower before coming back down to the courtyard. I yanked it free and shoved hard against Kage’s grasp. Then thrusting my wrist backwards, I drove the blade as hard as I could into what I hoped was his side.
Blade met flesh.
Kage howled. The sound was raw, primal, furious. Hardly human. The hairs on my arms stood up.
Still, I wasn’t going to stop. I would never stop.
Rodriguez was shouting. Kage was growling. I ignored them both.
Again, Daughter, again, my mother encouraged me. Do not stop until he is bleeding on the ground. Fight now, for your life, for the dragon.
My fingers fumbled backwards for the dagger again, clutching its hilt and jerking it free.
Then I wound my arm up as best I could and drove my elbow into Kage’s stomach with as much force as I could muster. He grunted, his breath hot against my neck, but he didn’t let go.
The hilt of the dagger was wet in my grasp. I twisted my wrist as Kage felt for my arm, trying to pin me against him again. With a feral snarl of my own, I slashed backwards but his reflexes were faster. His hand caught my wrist mid-swing, the dagger trembling in my hand.
“Enough,” he growled, his voice low and guttural.
He’s in pain , my mother murmured, sounding satisfied. Good. I never liked him. Always thought there was something strange about a man who could stay so calm.
I didn’t have time to roll my eyes. I was too busy trying to break free, pulling against the confines of my own bones, muscles, body. Every ounce of my strength pushed against Kage’s, but it was no use. He wrenched the dagger from my grip. The blade clattered to the stones, the sound ringing out like a death knell.
Panic surged in my veins.
You fight with a warrior’s spirit, Nyxaris rumbled weakly in my mind. But I would not have them break you here today, little wingless one.
“Don’t you dare give up,” I screamed aloud. “Burn them! Burn them both! Nyxaris, do it. Just do it, dammit.” I was sobbing. “Don’t let them turn you to stone. Nyxaris, please.”
Kage’s arms tightened around me, locking me in place. His breath was heavy in my ear. All I wanted was to be far away from him. I never wanted to see his face or Rodriguez’s ever again. “Medra, please. Just stop.”
“Never,” I roared, my voice cracking as my tears burned hot against my frozen cheeks. “Let me go. Now!”
My scream was raw, torn from deep within me as Kage’s iron grip held fast.
The dragon’s golden eyes flickered. They were dimmer than before. His wings dropped, the strength to lift them drained.
Their poison, he spat. Weakens me. I cannot summon flame. I am...sorry.
Don’t you dare apologize, I hissed back. Don’t you dare fucking give up either. You’re stronger than this. You’re stronger than all of us put together. Burn them, Nyxaris. I know you can do it.
Nyxaris let out a low rumble but it was hollow. Devoid of his usual power. His head dipped slightly.
“Medra, you’re not helping anyone,” Kage grunted behind me, his breath ragged. I could feel his heart pounding against my back. “Just—stop!”
Instead I shoved against him even harder.
“Enough,” Kage snarled, his voice tinged with frustration and pain. “I don’t want to hurt you.”
“You’re going to have to fucking kill me when you let me go,” I snarled right back. “Because otherwise I will kill you first, Tanaka.”
Rodriguez was busy doing something on the ground. I watched as he opened his leather satchel and pulled out vials. Suddenly he glanced around. Then his eyes landed—not on me, but on Kage.
“Where’s Blake?” he called.
At that moment, something inside me cracked wide open.