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Now we were down in the common room, and I was about to take another stab at getting Blake to let me leave. One way or another, with or without him, I couldn’t stick around. I had to find Florence. Theo was equally desperate; I could see it on his face. He’d left Vaughn at the Orphos tower not knowing what was about to happen, and now he was filled with regret. Theo and I would leave together. The House Orphos tower was closer. We’d find Vaughn, and then we’d find Florence.

What’s happening on your end?

Oh, you know. Orcades sounded weary but also bored. Blood sacrifices and all of the usual.

Blood sacrifices? I tried to focus. That doesn’t sound good. What exactly is going on?

The typical things that happen when two fools try to break down the barricade between realms and anger a supernatural entity.

I hadn’t realized blood would be involved. Though, immediately, it made sense. Catherine Mortis was clearly an experienced necromancer, and Marcus had been studying up on sanguimancy, the specialty of House Drakharrow.

It doesn’t need to be. There are other ways. But these idiots don’t know that. Blood magic and necromancy are their weapons of choice. They’re all they seem to know. Watching them is like watching children throw a tantrum. Like trying to stab a door with a knife and expecting it to open, instead of using a lockpicking kit.

Well, whatever they’ve done is really fucking up the rest of Sangratha, I replied. They’ve unleashed some kind of a plague.

The wave.

Yes, the wave. Except it’s a wave of infected highbloods, every one of them trying to kill us.

She was so quiet I thought she’d disappeared. Orcades?

I’m here.

What is it?

What you describe … a plague that spreads mindless violence. There was a similar plague once in Aercanum. In Valtain, where my father once ruled.

I felt a chill go over me. Grandfather?

Yes, your grandfather unleashed it. Purposely, of course. She sighed. Do terrible things with magic, pay a terrible price. How easily history repeats itself, even across worlds.

Except, the ones doing the terrible things don’t pay the price, I pointed out, bitterly. Ordinary people do.

Yes. In the case of your grandfather, children did.

My heart sped up. Children?

Yes. Fae children. It’s a long, sordid tale. Do me a favor and please remind me to never tell you about it sometime.

I thought for a moment. Orcades, I’m fae. Well, half. So far, the plague here has only infected highbloods. But could it infect me? Am I as susceptible as they are?

I was quick like a highblood, stronger than a blightborn. My body was physiologically different in subtle ways, from my ears to my elongated fingers and toes. What marked me as a dragon rider in this world marked me as half-fae back in mine.

It’s a different plague than the one that was set loose in Aercanum, she replied slowly. Still, yes, I suppose you’re right, and that could be the case. You’ll need to be vigilant, Medra. Make sure Florence is, too.

My blood had gradually changed my friend’s physiology. Had I made her more susceptible to this plague as well? I hoped we’d never find out.

“Pendragon!” Blake called from up ahead.

I have to go, I said quickly. But Orcades, you have to tell me. How do we stop this?

If I knew that, I’d have already told you, now, wouldn’t I, my love?

I clenched my jaw. It was the answer I figured she’d give. There has to be some way.

Only the most obvious one.

Stop Marcus and Catherine. So we need to get to where you are somehow?