Trial By Fire (Going Down in Flames)

by Chris Cannon

  Bryn relayed the events leading up to the attack. “I guess the moral of the story is never get in a car with a driver unless you’re sure he works for your grandparents.”

  “That’s just it. He did work for us. He’s worked for us for more than a dozen years.”

  “What the hell?”

  “Exactly. I can’t imagine what someone could’ve promised him or threatened him with that he would try to harm you. None of this makes sense.”

  One thing she did know, her grandfather was going to be furious. “Has the Directorate heard about this yet?”

  Her grandmother’s eyebrows came together. “An SUV exploded on campus. Of course they’ve heard. And your grandfather is incensed. He’s interrogating our staff and the other guards here at school.”

  Interrogating, not questioning. Interrogating. By the time he was done he’d probably have more enemies than before he started.

  “I’ve made a decision.” Her grandmother sat up straighter. “There is only one person I trust to guard you.”

  “If you say, Jaxon, I will run screaming from this room.”

  “He would’ve been my first choice, but he’s busy taking care of Rhianna. So I’m going with option number two.”

  “You’re dragging this out to torment me.”

  “Think of it as payback for scaring me senseless.” Her grandmother grinned. “Don’t worry, I think you’ll approve.”

  The door flew open, and Valmont stormed in. “What’s going on. Are you all right?”

  “I’m recovering.”

  He sat on the side of the bed opposite her grandmother and grabbed Bryn’s hand. “Someone will pay for this.”

  “Yes they will, young man. In the meantime, you are responsible for my granddaughter’s wellbeing. Are you up to the task?”

  “Yes.”

  It was like the dark of night had turned into a bright, sunny day. “Valmont is my personal guard?”

  Her grandmother nodded. “Your grandfather will have a fit, but I think Valmont is the right choice.”

  “He’s a fabulous choice.” Bryn squeezed his hand.

  “Of course, there will be a few wrinkles to iron out,” her grandmother said. “For now, he will accompany you to classes and anywhere else you go on campus. The housing situation is a concern.” She shot Valmont a look. “If I allow you to share Bryn’s room and sleep on her couch, you will behave with the utmost propriety.”

  “Yes, Ma’am.”

  Holy crap. Valmont was going to be living with her. Laughter was an odd response, but it’s all she had. “I can’t wait to see the look on Jaxon’s face when he learns about this.”

  …

  “Absolutely not.” Jaxon stomped his foot like a toddler throwing a tantrum.

  Valmont sat on the couch in the living area of Bryn’s dorm, seemingly unaffected by Jaxon’s hissy fit. “If you’d like to take this up with Bryn’s grandmother, feel free to do so.”

  It was even funnier than Bryn imagined. “Calm down, Jaxon. Look at the positives. Rhianna will benefit from the added security.”

  “No. She won’t. Not only is her roommate suspect, the entire school will hear about this ridiculous living arrangement.”

  “I’m sure he’ll be a perfect gentleman,” Rhianna said.

  “There is not a chance in the world your grandfather knows about this.” Jaxon paced the room. “Have you thought about what people will say?”

  “I’m sure they’ll all want a handsome knight of their own, by the week’s end,” Valmont said.

  She tried not to laugh, but Rhianna giggled, and Bryn’s dam of self-control broke.

  “You think this is funny?” Jaxon turned on Rhianna. “Do you have any idea how hard I’ve worked to make sure our Clan treats you with respect? And this is how you repay me?”

  A weird sense of deja vu hit Bryn. Hadn’t her former boyfriend Zavien said the same words to her not long ago when he didn’t want Valmont spending the night to guard her after she’d been poisoned the first time? Sadness tugged at her insides. No. She wouldn’t think about her ex. What they’d had…any trace of a relationship or friendship…it was done. Over.

  The smirking knight on her couch cared for her…and she cared for him. More than that, she trusted he would never hurt her. He would never choose someone else over her.

  “You know how much I appreciate everything you’ve done,” Rhianna told Jaxon. “You know how much you mean to me. This isn’t about me, or about what anyone else thinks, it’s about keeping Bryn safe.”

  Valmont sat forward. “This isn’t open to debate. Until Bryn, or her grandmother, tells me otherwise, I’m camping out on the couch.”

  “Then Rhianna is moving.” Jaxon pointed at his girlfriend. “Don’t even think about arguing. I don’t care if you spend time here during the day, but you will officially reside in a different dorm room. Up until this point, my father has tolerated our relationship. If he hears of this, he will order me to sever ties.” Jaxon’s voice softened. “After everything we’ve been through—”

  “I’ll do it.” Rhianna stepped closer to Jaxon. “If you think it’s important, I’ll move.”

  His posture relaxed. “Good.” He grabbed her hand. “Let’s go take care of this right now.”

  Rhianna shot a nervous glance at Bryn.

  “It’s okay,” Bryn said. “I don’t like it, but if Jaxon thinks his dad will go psycho, it isn’t worth it. But you have to promise you’ll still hang out here.”

  “I promise.”

  Jaxon tugged Rhianna out the door.

  Bryn flopped onto the couch next to Valmont. “Well, this sucks.”

  “Sorry.” Valmont put his arm around her shoulders. “I expected Jaxon to freak out and then calm down. I didn’t expect him to kidnap Rhianna.”

  “He knows how the rest of his Clan thinks.” She snuggled into Valmont’s side. “Not that I approve.”

  “They are an uppity bunch,” Valmont said.

  Bryn laughed. “It’s strange. Just when I think I understand how my grandparents think, or what the Clan will take in stride, something comes up to blow my whole outlook. You’ve been around them longer than I have. Do you have any insights?”

  “No.” He pulled her closer so she laid her head on his shoulder. “But there is a time honored tradition in the Fonzoli household. Every Sunday afternoon a sacred ritual takes place. We call it a nap.”

  “That is a tradition I’m happy to continue.”

  “Good.” He put his feet up on the coffee table and closed his eyes. “After the nap comes food.”

  “Works for me.” She closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep using his chest as a pillow.

  …

  That night, Bryn helped Rhianna organize her new room down the hall, while Valmont stood guard in the hallway outside the door.

  “I hate this,” Rhianna said, hanging clothes in the armoire.

  “Then why did you agree to move?”

  After placing the last dress on the rod, she closed the armoire door. “Jaxon felt it was important, and he’s been wonderful to me. And I’m not sure he’s wrong. People will assume certain things since Valmont is sharing your room.”

  Bryn plopped down on the bed. “That’s ridiculous. Half the people on campus spend the majority of their time in someone else’s room.”

  “Yes, and everyone talks about them.”

  “They do?”

  “Yes.” Rhianna laughed. “Of course, I’m out of the loop now because most of my Clan doesn’t talk to me anymore.”

  “Idiots.”

  “At least Jaxon keeps them from being rude to my face.” Rhianna frowned. “I miss my other room already.”

  What could she say to make this better? “Think of it as having two rooms. One you sleep in and one you live in.”

  “That is a more positive spin.” She nudged Bryn and spoke in a quiet voice. “You and Valmont can have some time alone together now. How do you feel about that?”

  “Ex
cited and terrified.” Bryn glanced toward the door. “I’m afraid I’ll hurt him.”

  “That’s his evil grandmother in your head. You care about him, and he cares about you.”

  “Which he’s willing to admit, in public.” Not that she was bitter.

  The sound of raised voices came from the hallway. Bryn jumped off the bed and went to investigate.

  Valmont stood leaning against the wall wiping down his broad sword like he didn’t have a care in the world while a Blue male ranted at him.

  Valmont grinned at Bryn. “Ready to go?”

  The Blue whirled around. “I should’ve known this would be your fault.”

  Bryn took a deep breath and gave the polite smile her grandmother used when someone was being a jerk. “I’m sorry if my knight’s presence bothers you, but my grandmother, Marie Sinclair, ordered him to stay by my side. If you have a problem, I suggest you ask your mother to take it up with her.”

  The Blue cursed and stormed off down the hall.

  “You’re getting good at that,” Rhianna said. “Your grandmother would be proud.”

  “It’s kind of fun.”

  “You wield your grandmother like your knight wields his sword.” Jaxon came toward them with a less than friendly look on his face. “I moved Rhianna to keep her away from you. Why are you here?”

  “First. Bite me,” Bryn said. “Second, I helped her unpack.”

  “Go away.” Jaxon made shooing motions with his hands. “She can come to your room. You’re not allowed in hers.”

  Valmont cleared his throat and held out his sword as if he was admiring the way the light reflected off the blade. “You could say that in a nicer manner.”

  “I hate to tell you, but that was him being nice,” Bryn laughed and grabbed Valmont’s hand. “Let’s go before he tries to tell me what else I can’t do.”

  Chapter Five

  Bryn sat at the table in her living room and double-checked her homework assignments, which were due tomorrow, while Valmont talked to his dad on the phone. All her assignments were good to go. Not perfect, but good enough. There was only so much time she could devote to homework when someone was trying to kill her.

  She zipped up her book bag. Now what? She needed to say something. There was no reason to be nervous. This was Valmont. It’s not like he was going to kiss her or anything, not that she’d have a problem with that scenario, but still, she was being stupid.

  After Valmont ended the call, she said, “I guess you’ll follow me to class tomorrow?”

  “According to your grandmother, I’m supposed to be your shadow. She didn’t give specific details.”

  Her grandmother expected Valmont to drop everything to protect Bryn, and he’d agreed—no questions asked, and with no thoughts to his living arrangements. The suitcase he’d brought with him leaned against the far end of the couch.

  “Since Rhianna moved out, why don’t you move into her room? You can unpack and make yourself comfortable.”

  “Are you sure? If I’m on the couch, I’m between you and the front door.”

  True. “Though someone could come in from the terrace entrance, too. If you’re in her room, with the door open, you’d be in the middle of the two entrances.”

  “I hadn’t thought of it that way.” He stood and grabbed his bag. “I guess I’ll unpack.”

  It was on the tip of her tongue to offer to help him unpack, but he couldn’t have much in the one bag, and he might want some time to think. A few minutes later, she heard the sound of furniture moving.

  What could he be doing? She poked her head in his new room where she witnessed him moving the four-poster bed toward the door.

  He must have his reasons. She waited for him to finish.

  “There.” He adjusted the bed so it was two feet inside the room. Now, I can jump out of bed and be out the door as soon as possible.”

  “Good idea.” She yawned. “Speaking of bed, I think I’m going to turn in.”

  “Okay.” He closed the distance between them and pulled her into a hug. His arms around her made her feel safe. It would be great to fall asleep with him on the couch. A nap was one thing, sleeping in his arms all night long might not be a good idea. Actually, it sounded like a fabulous idea, but her grandmother most certainly would not approve.

  …

  The next morning, Bryn checked the mirror and frowned. Pale skin and tired eyes stared back at her. Using Quintessence she darkened her lip color, gave her cheeks a healthy glow, and darkened her eyelashes. That was better. She might not be a morning person but that didn’t mean she had to look like she was still asleep.

  Valmont walked her to breakfast. Clint and Ivy acted like it was normal for Valmont to join them. Everyone else, not so much.

  “Should I stand up and introduce myself to everyone in the dining hall?” Valmont asked.

  Clint shook his head. “Believe me, everyone knows who you are.”

  Valmont gave a movie-star grin, and his single dimple appeared. “Looks like I’m famous. Do you think they’ll want me to sign autographs?”

  Bryn chuckled. Good thing her knight didn’t mind scrutiny.

  “Hey, look at that.” Ivy pointed toward a table where Rhianna and Jaxon sat with several others of their Clan. The girls were talking among themselves, and they were including Rhianna.

  “Yeah, I guess moving out of my room bumped her back up the social ladder.”

  “Hello?” Ivy waved her hands in front of Bryn’s face. “Did we forget to share with the class?”

  “Sorry. Everyone staring at Valmont distracted me.” She told them about Jaxon insisting Rhianna move out.

  “It sucks that he might’ve been right,” Ivy said.

  “It sucks that my grandmother made me move to the Blue dorm in the first place.”

  “I wonder how long it would take her to hear about it if we moved you back to our dorm?” Clint said.

  “Unfortunately, that would constitute an act of war, as far as my grandfather is concerned.” Bryn stirred a packet of sugar into her coffee. “Though when I lived in your dorm, I felt like I belonged. The Blue dorm is not so friendly.”

  “They’re a bunch of pompous asses.” Valmont spoke in a voice quiet enough for only their table to hear. “Too bad they control all the money and have all the power.”

  “They don’t,” Clint said. “I mean, they have most of the money, but they wouldn’t survive a week without the rest of us. Who creates the art they love to buy? Who heals them when they’re sick? Who runs all the businesses they love to spend their money at?”

  She’d never thought about it that way. “I guess all the Clans need each other to play their roles.”

  “And the Blues are like the prima donnas of the company,” Clint said. “We put up with their snotty behavior, while we secretly fantasize about knee-capping them.”

  …

  In Elemental Science, Mr. Stanton approached Valmont and had a quick whispered conversation before class started.

  “What was that about?” Bryn asked.

  “You’ll see.” Valmont grinned like a kid who’d been offered a trip to Disneyland.

  Mr. Stanton stood behind his desk and waited for everyone to settle down and face him. “As you can see we have a visitor today, and he has generously agreed to help with today’s lesson.”

  This could be really great or really awful.

  “I’m sure you’ve all heard that Valmont is Bryn’s knight. I’ve asked him to explain how this came to be.”

  Oh crap. She grabbed Valmont’s hand as he stood. “You don’t have to do this.”

  “Afraid I’ll name names?” he asked.

  Did she care about that? “Maybe.”

  He laughed. “Fine. I’ll just use an unflattering description.”

  And everyone would know who he was talking about, anyway. She wanted to crawl under her desk.

  Valmont strode to the front of the room exuding confidence and way too much sex appeal. He leaned his left
hip against Mr. Stanton’s desk and grinned at her.

  “Once upon a time—”

  Several students laughed.

  “What? It really does start like that.” He cleared his throat. “Once upon a time, Bryn and several of her friends came to Fonzoli’s for lunch. We met, and I could tell there was something special about her.”

  Bryn felt her face color.

  “A few days later, she returned to the restaurant, asking for a gallon of lemon ice and a spoon. Given my experience with females, I knew this meant something wasn’t right in her world. We talked, and then the source of her irritation, who we shall refer to as the spiky-haired moron, showed up and tried to push past me to continue his confrontation.”

  Oh, God. Zavien would hear about this. She was sure of it.

  “As any good descendant of a knight would do, I blocked his path to protect Bryn from more verbal abuse.” Valmont zeroed in on Bryn. “And in that moment, she became my world, the only thing worth living for, and I knew I would lay down my life or take another’s to protect her.”

  A tingling sensation started on Bryn’s scalp and traveled through her core all the way down to her toes. It was like magic pulsed in the air between them. Female students from all Clans whispered among themselves, while the male students muttered under their breath. Not that she could blame the girls for being impressed and the boys for being jealous. Her knight was awesome and hot, and why did these I-must-kiss-him feelings always seem to hit her when they were in a crowd? It was damn inconvenient.

  “Thank you for that illuminating explanation, Valmont.” Mr. Stanton shuffled papers on his desk. “You may return to your seat.”

  Seeming larger than life, Valmont strode back toward her. More than half the girls tracked his progress across the room, which earned more scowls from the boys. Did Valmont mind? Of course not. Maybe that was the reaction he’d been going for. He did love to stir up trouble, but in her heart she knew he meant every word he’d said.

  When he reached her, he moved the chair so he sat beside her, took her hand, and laced his fingers through hers. It was only by sheer willpower that she didn’t crawl onto his lap.

  He leaned in and whispered, “I know what you’re thinking.”