Going Down in Flames (Entangled Teen)

by Chris Cannon

  “Agreed.” He pulled her toward the couch. “Let’s sit.”

  A breeze brushed across Bryn’s face. She noticed Mr. Stanton holding the ball of wind suspended in midair. “How long can you keep that up?”

  “I can maintain the containment field indefinitely.” He moved across the room, taking the ball of wind with him, and sat at the desk.

  Bryn leaned against Zavien so his thigh pressed against hers and his arm draped around her lower back. She tried to figure out who could have left the card. “Are there cameras in the hallways?”

  Mr. Stanton shook his head. “The Institute has always been a safe haven. We’ve never had the need for security.”

  “What about the Red dragons who guard the gates?” Bryn asked.

  “They let students know we’re keeping track of their comings and goings. It’s a formality.”

  “Could you post one of them outside Bryn’s room?” Clint asked.

  Zavien shook his head. “Bad idea. We don’t know who we can trust.”

  “Blues are the most likely suspects,” Bryn said.

  “Merrick is a Blue, and he’s helping you,” Mr. Stanton reminded her.

  “You’re right. I shouldn’t lump all the Blues together. Even though Jaxon is a pain in the ass, I don’t think he wants me dead.”

  “His father might,” Zavien said in a quiet voice.

  “Now that I could believe.”

  A sharp rap sounded on the door. Clint opened the door, and Merrick stalked into the room. He didn’t bother with pleasantries. Zeroing in on the card, he produced a film of ice on his hands and reached into the containment field. A low growl came from his throat as he inspected the card and photo.

  “Did anyone see who left this?”

  “I saw it slide under the door,” Clint said. “By the time I opened the door, no one was there.”

  Merrick retrieved a clear plastic bag from his pocket and opened it. “Shrink your field and place the items in the bag. I’ll have them checked for fingerprints.”

  The containment field shrunk so that Mr. Stanton could move the card, photo, and envelope into the bag. Bryn’s ears popped as the air pressure in the room changed.

  Merrick sealed the bag and returned it to his jacket pocket. “I believe it is time for us to go before the Directorate.”

  Hell no. That was the last thing she wanted to do. “Can’t you speak to them for me?”

  “They need to meet you. Right now, you’re an abstract idea. We need to present you as flesh and blood.”

  “Won’t that be like walking in front of a firing squad?” Then again, a firing squad might be more fun.

  “If you keep your temper in check, you’ll be treated with cold civility.” Merrick smirked. “Ferrin may be the one exception. He’s still upset about your mother’s defection.”

  “Really? I never would’ve known.” She should feel bad about her sarcastic tone, but she didn’t. “Why hasn’t he moved on? It’s not like he was denied marriage. He has a wife and son.”

  Merrick sat at the empty desk. “The son is fine. The wife isn’t the one he was promised.”

  His casual attitude about Ferrin set her off. “If he wasn’t such an evil bastard, she wouldn’t have run away.”

  Merrick made a noise of disapproval. “You lost control within two minutes. The Directorate will eat you alive if you don’t learn to suppress your emotions.”

  “Normal, healthy individuals express their emotions.” Bryn took a deep breath and blew it out. “I can’t believe you set me up like that.”

  “Maybe I should invite Jaxon over to visit. You could practice trading insults and keeping your temper in check,” Merrick said.

  She turned to Zavien. “Tell me he’s joking.”

  “If you locked Bryn and your nephew in a room, I bet she’d be the one to come out alive,” Zavien said.

  Bryn clenched her fists as her brain screamed betrayal. “Jaxon is your nephew?”

  “He is. You should know he was disturbed by what he witnessed in the medical ward. While he shares his father’s hatred, he’d never act on it in that manner.”

  Clint cleared his throat. “If Jaxon is your nephew, then you must be good friends with Ferrin.” The words sounded like an accusation.

  “Ferrin is my brother-in-law and a respected colleague.”

  “I can’t believe this.” Bryn jumped to her feet. “Why should I trust you?”

  “I never kept my relationship to the Westgates a secret. Zavien knew Lillith was my older sister, and you knew I represented Jaxon from the start.”

  “He’s an overindulged brat. I thought he had a lawyer on call. I didn’t know you were family.”

  Merrick straightened his tie. “Family is a bit of an overstatement. My sister is eight years my senior. We were never close. She lives an isolated life. Jaxon sees me more as a lawyer than an uncle.”

  Since Bryn never had any extended family, this argument didn’t make sense to her. She glared at Merrick but didn’t know how to put her accusations into words.

  Zavien took her hand and pulled her back down onto the couch. “We need Merrick, and I think we need the overindulged brat to attend the Directorate meeting with you.”

  Bryn turned to Clint. “I can’t take any more. If I asked nicely, would you shift and bite my head off?”

  Clint pretended to think about her request. “That might upset Zavien.” He threw her a candy bar. “Try some chocolate therapy.”

  “Being a dragon sucks.” Bryn ripped open the wrapper and slumped back on the couch.

  “Why would Jaxon need to go with her?” Ivy asked.

  “He’ll act as a witness. Bryn’s word alone may not be enough, given her mother’s lack of credibility,” Merrick said.

  “My mother—”

  Zavien pushed the candy bar into her mouth, cutting off her tirade. She growled at him as she chewed.

  “You should take Medic Williams, too. She’ll provide appropriate documentation,” Mr. Stanton said.

  She managed to swallow the candy bar, but not her words. “Why in the hell would I lie about being poisoned? That’s ridiculous.”

  “Some on the Directorate might think it’s a ploy to gain sympathy for the Revisionists,” Merrick said.

  “Clint.” Bryn held her hand out. “More candy bars.”

  He threw two over in quick succession. She finished chewing the first bar while she unwrapped the second.

  Merrick raised a brow. “Are we free to continue?”

  The chocolate-covered toffee melting in her mouth helped her tamp down the instinct to flip him off.

  “Good, you’re maintaining control. I’ll make an appointment for us to see the Directorate tomorrow.”

  Nooooooo. “The camping trip is tomorrow.”

  Zavien squeezed her shoulders. “I know you’ll hate missing this, but there will be other camping trips.”

  Like she gave a rat’s ass about camping. “You can’t go camping. You have to come with me.”

  With him, she could do anything.

  Without him, she felt vulnerable.

  “It’ll be all right,” Zavien said. “Merrick will take care of you.”

  She wanted to pout and whine. Merrick was a poor substitute for someone who cared about her. She had total faith in Zavien. Merrick’s trust was newly earned. For all she knew, this could be an elaborate game played by the Directorate.

  “Bryn.” Merrick’s voice was kind. “No harm will come to you while you’re in my care.”

  “Promise you’ll never leave me alone with a Directorate member.”

  “You have my word. Now, I need to know more about you. Besides your propensity for eating obscene amounts of food and your use of inappropriate language, what’s special about you?”

  She considered the question. “I can produce fire and ice. I use Quintessence to change my coloring. I can outfly the Blues.”

  “Is she leaving anything out?” Merrick asked the room at large.

&nb
sp; Mr. Stanton pointed to his hand. “I scratched myself with a paper clip. She healed the wound. She wants to be a medic.”

  Merrick sucked in his breath. “That’s it. We’ll present you as someone who’s grateful to be allowed into the Institute. You want to give something back to the community by becoming a medic.”

  Zavien laughed first.

  Bryn snorted.

  Ivy and Clint joined them.

  “It’s a good plan.” Merrick sounded offended.

  “It would be good plan if I could pretend to be grateful.” Bryn ticked items off on her fingers. “Since I’ve arrived at the Institute, I’ve been called a mongrel, told I have undesirable genes, been attacked by a classroom teacher, traded numerous insults with Jaxon, and I’ve been poisoned. What idiot would be grateful for all that?”

  “An idiot who wants to be protected from future attempts on her life would play the part of a grateful young lady who’s seeking help from her betters.”

  Right. “There aren’t enough candy bars in the world for me to play that part. If you’re so superior, think of a different strategy.”

  Merrick crossed his arms. “Fine. They forced you to come here. Now it’s their job to protect you. If you live to graduation, you want to become a medic.”

  “That’s much more realistic.” Bryn licked a smudge of chocolate off her finger. She couldn’t believe she was going to speak to the freaking Directorate. “When will this festival of fun begin?”

  “Be ready by seven tomorrow morning.” Merrick exited the room.

  Mr. Stanton said his good-byes and left.

  Bryn lay back on the carpet and stared at the ceiling. “Tomorrow I face the Directorate. The man who’s supposed to help me is related to the man who probably poisoned me. My day is going to suck.”

  “Jaxon’s will suck more,” Clint said. “Can you imagine how mad his father will be when he hears Jaxon is there to confirm your story?”

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  When a knock sounded on her door the next morning, Bryn cringed.

  Ivy handed her a book bag with her missed homework assignments. “Don’t let them antagonize you. Come back here and wail on the Slam Man.”

  “I put the extra candy bars in your bag,” Clint said.

  “Thanks, guys.” She crossed the room and opened the door.

  Merrick gave her an encouraging smile. “Everything will be all right.”

  Where was Zavien? He’d left late last night with no word of when he’d return. Telling herself to buck up, she stepped out the door and followed Merrick. The sight of Zavien rounding the corner brought a wave of relief.

  “I brought you snacks.” He held a bag out.

  “Thank you.” Snacks were nice, but she wanted a hug.

  He held her hands as he passed off the bag. “You’ll be fine. Merrick will take care of you.”

  His tone implied that Merrick would suffer great harm if he failed to protect her.

  She put on a brave front. “I’ll be all right. Have fun camping.”

  In a quick move, he brushed his lips across her cheek. “Take care.”

  …

  Jaxon waited outside his dormitory, looking cool and confident in a charcoal-gray suit. The light wind ruffled his hair, and then it fell right back into place. It wasn’t fair that someone so disagreeable looked so good. She’d spent time and effort on her appearance this morning, and he was still prettier than she was.

  The fact that he looked through her didn’t make her feel any warmer toward him. Did he plan to ignore her the entire day?

  “My car is parked in the faculty lot.” Merrick headed down the sidewalk. She followed along, trying to think of positive things. The sun was out, and a warm breeze ruffled the leaves on the trees. The weather was perfect for camping. Fate was mocking her. She indulged in a pout, promising it would be the only one of the day.

  Jaxon must have noticed her expression. “You wanted to go camping?” His tone conveyed disdain.

  “I’d rather go camping than face a group of egomaniac control freaks who think they know what’s best for everyone.”

  Jaxon’s jaw dropped. “How can you say that?”

  “The trick is to open your mouth so the words come out clearly.”

  “Bryn.” Merrick turned back and shot her an exasperated look. “Stop baiting my nephew.”

  “If he promises to stop radiating disdain, I’ll stop baiting him.”

  “If both of you would stop channeling your inner five-year-olds,” Merrick said, “this would be less painful for all involved.”

  Bryn rolled her eyes. “Fine. I’ll curb my snarky instincts.”

  “Thank you.” Merrick gave a wide grin. “It’s almost frightening when you’re reasonable.”

  She laughed.

  Jaxon regarded both of them with suspicion. “When did you two become so chummy?”

  Bryn started walking again. “Your uncle has been around since I was poisoned. When he hasn’t been complaining about my taste in clothes, he’s been helpful.”

  “Technically, we met before the poisoning.”

  He did not just go there. “That day in the art store never happened.”

  “It didn’t?”

  “No. It didn’t.” She waved him closer so Jaxon couldn’t hear. “In case I didn’t make myself clear the last time. I will never have a benefactor. Tell me you understand that.”

  “I do. From now on, think of me as legal counsel and someone who cares about you—as a friend.”

  “Thank you.” Not worrying about his motivation made this situation much less creepy.

  “Aren’t we on a schedule?” Jaxon called out.

  “We are.” Merrick led them to the parking lot, pulled out his keys, and pressed the remote start button. The engine of his SUV roared to life. It was a huge, midnight-blue beast.

  “You bought the new Cadillac SUV hybrid.” Jaxon sounded like he might drool.

  The door was a good two feet off the ground. How was she supposed to manage that in a skirt? “Does it come equipped with a stepladder?”

  Merrick pushed a button on his key fob, and a small running board descended from the top running board.

  Bryn’s mouth dropped open. “That’s so cool.”

  Jaxon approached the SUV and surprised her by sitting in the back. Merrick opened the passenger door for her. Praying she wouldn’t somehow fall on her ass, she climbed into the front seat. The interior was comprised of charcoal-gray leather and polished wood. She’d never seen anything like it.

  “What do you think?” Merrick asked from driver’s seat.

  “I’m afraid to touch anything.” Bryn inhaled the new car smell. “It’s beautiful.”

  He seemed pleased with her response. They pulled out of the parking lot and wound down a side road, which looped back around to the front gate. Bryn realized she had no idea where the meeting was located.

  “Where does the Directorate meet?”

  “Due to recent attacks, the location changes on a rotating schedule. Today we’re meeting at your grandfather’s house.”

  Through gritted teeth, she said, “Have you lost your mind?”

  “I know you’re not on the friendliest terms with your grandparents—”

  “Not on friendly terms? They refuse to acknowledge my birth. They haven’t spoken to my mother since she left. When I ran into my grandmother at orientation, she said I wasn’t her granddaughter.”

  Merrick pulled onto the shoulder and put the car in park. “Do you honestly believe your grandparents could be behind the attack?”

  “They’d be happier if I didn’t exist, so yes.” Her hands trembled with rage as fire burned her stomach and smoke shot from her nostrils. They’d probably be relieved to hear she was dead. Dealing with her grandparents on top of everything else was too much.

  “Think of snow,” Merrick instructed.

  Bryn punched the button to roll down the window and exhaled sleet onto the pavement. Afterward, she took slow, mea
sured breaths until her heartbeat returned to normal.

  “I’m sorry,” he said. “I’d no idea you felt this way.”

  “Can you call and ask them to have the meeting someplace else?” Maybe she wouldn’t have to face her grandparents.

  “Security measures have been taken. We can’t relocate.”

  “Is my grandfather on the Directorate?”

  Merrick nodded. “I thought you knew.”

  An ugly thought occurred. “Zavien knew my grandfather was on the Directorate, didn’t he?”

  “Yes.”

  “Did he know about the location of the meeting?”

  “No.”

  She closed her eyes and leaned her head back against the headrest. Zavien would’ve known how distressed she’d be about meeting her grandfather. He should have warned her. Hell, he should have let someone else deal with the stupid camping trip and come with her.

  “My life sucks.”

  Merrick pulled the car back onto the road and continued toward their destination.

  Hoping for a distraction, she opened the bag Zavien had packed for her. What was inside? Snack cakes and wrapped sandwiches labeled PBJs, which she could eat without fear of being poisoned. It wasn’t as good as him sitting there holding her hand, but it reminded her he cared.

  The scenery outside the car didn’t change much. They drove through a dark, forested landscape. Since there was nothing new to see out the windows, she reclined her seat and closed her eyes. The hum of the tires was hypnotic. She drifted on the edge of sleep.

  When the car stopped moving, her eyes snapped open. Afraid she might have drooled, she wiped her hand across her mouth. Thankfully, her lips were dry.

  “Awake?” Merrick asked.

  “If we’re at my grandparents’ house, it feels like a nightmare.”

  “We’re checking in at the front gate.”

  Trust her grandparents to live in a gated community.

  After the guard checked Merrick’s license plate and personal ID, they were allowed to drive up the small hill. When they crested the top, a monstrous stone building came into view. It was at least five stories high. Wings jutted forward so the building was shaped like a U. As they drove closer, she realized how mammoth the structure was. With its pale gray stone and manicured shrubbery, it resembled a museum she’d visited in sixth grade.