Going Down in Flames (Entangled Teen)

by Chris Cannon

  “Jaxon and I suffered minor abrasions. You took the brunt of the blast.”

  The medics’ hands moved over her body. Someone pressed on her left leg, and razor-sharp pain radiated up her thigh. She sucked in a breath and indulged in profanity.

  “Sorry,” the medic said. “I thought we fixed that fracture.” Heat flowed into her leg, and the pain lessened.

  Panic scratched at her brain. How many fractures were there if they couldn’t keep track of them?

  “Bryn, this is Medic Williams. I want you to do something for me. Concentrate on sending Quintessence through your body. Tell me where you feel areas we’ve healed and if we missed anything.”

  “Okay.”

  She tried to focus her life force. Nothing happened. That was bad. She tried again. Her body seemed to respond in slow motion. She couldn’t corral her Quintessence like she normally could. What did that mean? Her heart rate doubled. That wouldn’t help. Now wasn’t the time to freak out. She could do this. After a few cleansing breaths, she visualized a small sun the size of a ping pong ball, glowing in her chest. With a little more effort, she increased it to the size of a tennis ball. There. That would do. She moved it to detect where the medics had healed.

  “The skin on my face is tender.”

  “You suffered abrasions from fragments of the door,” Medic Williams said.

  She already knew about her ears, so she didn’t bother mentioning them. Healed cuts were scattered across her head and neck. Some were deep.

  “What happened to my neck?”

  “A large sliver of wood nearly sliced your carotid artery. If your necklace hadn’t shifted and deflected the missile, you could have bled out.”

  “Where is the necklace?” The uneasy feeling she associated with being separated from the key was absent. Had she used up the charm?

  “We cut it off to treat you.”

  “I have it,” Merrick assured her.

  “Bryn, please continue scanning your body.”

  She tapped into her body’s energy and moved to her stomach, but detected nothing. At hip level, she made a frightening discovery. “My pelvis has been repaired.”

  Pushing the ball of light farther told her both legs had been treated. “I fractured my pelvis and both legs.” Her voice shook.

  “We’ve healed you, but you need to rest.” Medic Williams yawned.

  “Sounds familiar.” Bryn tried to make light of the situation, but it was all too much. She blinked rapidly to hold back the tears, and her vision cleared. The gel must’ve finished healing her eyes, because she could see again. Merrick sat next to her. His shirt was torn and bloodied, and his face showed recently healed areas, which were bright pink.

  “If you look like that, how bad am I?”

  “It looks like you’ve laid out in the sun far too long,” Merrick said.

  “I never lay out in the sun. I turn into one giant freckle.”

  “That would be from your father’s genes,” a male voice said.

  Bryn’s grandfather stood like a storm cloud by the door. Her heart beat double time as he assessed her with his piercing blue gaze. He appeared to be waiting for some sort of reaction.

  “You’re right, it is.”

  The intimidating man harrumphed and moved closer. “Did your father teach you how to stand up for yourself?”

  “He did, but I can’t fight this battle on my own. Will you help?”

  There was a twinkle in his eye as he spoke. “Ferrin thinks you staged the explosion to gain the Directorate’s sympathy.”

  “He’s insane. Will the Directorate listen to him, or will they help me?”

  “Someone attacked you under my roof. I never believed anyone would have the gall to attack one of my guests, much less my granddaughter. Directorate be damned, I’ll help you.”

  The world seemed like a brighter place. He’d acknowledged her, and he planned to help. Relief washed over her like a cool breeze. “Thank you.”

  He nodded. “I’ll go break the news to Ferrin. You’ll probably hear the screaming all the way up here.”

  Bryn chuckled.

  Merrick patted her hand. “If anyone can take on Ferrin, it’s your grandfather.”

  For the first time, she noticed her surroundings. The cherrywood sleigh bed she lay on was covered with green bedding. Three medics worked on her. Merrick sat by her side in a wing-backed chair.

  “Where’s Jaxon?”

  “He’s next door with Lillith. We’re in guest rooms of your grandfather’s wing.”

  “Has my grandmother stopped by?” She shouldn’t be greedy. It was a miracle her grandfather had spoken to her.

  “I believe she’s on a mission to find you suitable clothing.”

  And that was when she came to the disturbing realization that she was naked under the green sheet. At least the medics didn’t have to move the sheet to work on her. Being treated with Quintessence had its advantages.

  The connecting door opened, and Lillith’s face appeared. “May we come in?”

  “Sure.” Bryn prayed the sheet provided full coverage.

  Lillith entered the room. Jaxon followed. He wore a T-shirt spotted with dried blood, and his face was streaked with freshly healed abrasions. When he saw Bryn, he froze.

  “What?” she asked.

  “Sorry.” Jaxon averted his gaze. “I didn’t expect…”

  Bryn gripped Merrick’s hand tighter. “Get me a mirror.”

  “No. The medics have more work to do. You’ll be yourself again soon.”

  “Get me a mirror, or I’ll get up and find one myself.”

  “You don’t need a mirror.” Jaxon squared his shoulders and met her gaze. “Your face is a crosshatch of bright pink lines. Your eyebrows are gone. If I remember correctly, regrowing eyebrows takes about fifteen minutes.” He smirked. “Of course, you only singed mine. Complete regrowth might take longer.”

  That wasn’t so bad. “Thanks for being honest. I was afraid I had huge gouges in my face. I suppose I should apologize about your eyebrows.”

  “Neither of us was at our best that day,” he said.

  “She singed your eyebrows?” Lillith said. “How?”

  “She shot a rather large fireball at my head after I insulted her mother.”

  “That will teach you to mess with someone you don’t know.” Lillith grinned.

  Medic Williams stepped away from the bed. “We need to eat before we continue. I could start on your eyebrows before I leave.”

  All three medics appeared worn out. “Take a break. I don’t care about my appearance right now. Food sounds good.”

  Merrick stood. “I’ll call downstairs and ask for some food to be sent up.”

  “Order something for us, too,” Lillith said. “I’ve no idea when tonight’s meeting will end. We should plan to spend the night.”

  “What happens during the Directorate meetings?” Bryn asked.

  “I’ve sat in on a few,” Lillith said. “They discuss curriculum changes at the school, and marriage petitions are always being finalized. Sometimes the meetings go on for days. I’d hoped this one would take a while so I could visit with Jaxon. I packed for the weekend.”

  It was sweet that Jaxon’s mother wanted to visit with him.

  “Once I’m healed and presentable, I’d love to ask the Directorate a few questions about how the system works.”

  “Bad idea,” Merrick said. “Certain Directorate members will be less than pleased about your grandfather’s decision to offer you aid. It would be best to wait until this trouble has passed before you stir up more.”

  The door to the room opened. Bryn’s grandmother came in followed by a maid carrying an armload of clothes. “Gentleman, I brought a change of clothes for both of you. If you’d like to adjourn to the rooms next door or across the hall, you can make yourselves presentable.”

  Merrick and Jaxon accepted her offer and exited the room.

  Bryn’s stomach turned as her grandmother approached. The
woman seemed to be carved of ice. If she smiled, her face would probably crack.

  “I apologize for your mistreatment under our roof. I see the medics still have work to do. If you’d like, Abigail can assist you in the bath.”

  Mistreatment seemed like an understatement.

  “Thank you. I believe I can manage on my own.” She glanced at the sheet draped over her body. “I’m not sure how to maneuver and keep this sheet in place.”

  Abigail, the maid, said, “Let me get a robe.” She ducked into the bathroom and emerged with a white robe.

  Bryn tucked the sheet under her arms, sat up, and allowed Abigail to drape the robe around her back. Slowly, she eased to the edge of the bed, taking the sheet and robe with her. She stood, cringing at the ache in her pelvis. Despite the pain, she wrapped the robe around herself. One step sent shooting pain up her thigh. Walking was out of the question. She gritted her teeth and eased back onto the bed.

  “Maybe I’ll wear the robe until after the medics finish.”

  Her grandmother frowned. “I’d hoped to have you dressed before dinner.”

  “Sorry, I can’t walk.”

  “I could ask Merrick to carry you.”

  “No, thank you. That would be embarrassing for both of us.”

  “Abigail could help you with a sponge bath.”

  Her grandmother didn’t get it. “Fractures in my pelvis and legs have been fused back together. My face looks like a lobster, and I have no eyebrows. A bath and clean clothes won’t make much difference.”

  The woman’s chin jutted out. “I was doing what I could for you.”

  “I appreciate that, but walking hurts.” How much clearer could she be?

  “Why don’t you lie back down? When Merrick returns, we’ll ask for his assistance.”

  Please let the medics return before Merrick. While she doubted she could sleep, it was better than arguing with her grandmother. Lying back down, she closed her eyes, and the voices in the background faded to an indistinct buzz.

  Warmth enveloped Bryn’s legs. She opened her eyes and saw Medic Williams by her side.

  “Sorry to wake you. This shouldn’t take long.” The sensation of being covered in warm honey returned. Slowly, the pain in her pelvis and legs disappeared. Her muscles relaxed.

  “Now for your eyebrows.”

  Regrowing her eyebrows felt weird. The hair prickled her skin. After ten minutes, Medic Williams stopped.

  “Would you like to try standing?”

  Bryn eased herself to the edge of the bed, gritted her teeth, and pushed to her feet. Thank God, it didn’t hurt like last time. Now it felt like her muscles were sore from a workout.

  “Thank you. That’s much better.”

  Her grandmother appeared by her side, holding new clothes. “Why don’t you bathe now? We’ll serve dinner in half an hour.”

  She’d rather eat now, but one look at her grandmother’s face told her arguing was a lost cause.

  “All right.” She took the pile of clothing and headed for the bath. Once she’d locked the door, she hung the clothes on a hook, faced the mirror, and gasped. It looked like someone had taken a pink marker to her face and played connect the dots while she slept. If this was an improvement, she shuddered to think what the original damage had been.

  After a quick shower, she examined her clothing options. All three dresses were different sizes and still had the tags attached. No wonder her grandmother had been upset when she refused to dress. The woman had gone shopping.

  The navy wrap dress was the correct size. A small bag hanging from the hanger held several new bra and underwear sets.

  Her stomach growled. She dressed quickly, ignoring the panty hose. If she didn’t have shoes, what was the point? After locating a blow-dryer, she turned it on high and blasted the moisture from her hair. While she wouldn’t win any beauty contests, she was presentable.

  In the bedroom, she found Merrick sitting at a dining room table. She blinked.

  During her absence, the bed had been moved to the far wall. A table sat in the middle of the room set with fine china and linen napkins. A metal leg sticking out from beneath the lace tablecloth was the only clue it was a folding table rather than an antique from downstairs. Her grandmother was a force to be reckoned with.

  “What fetching eyebrows you have,” Merrick teased.

  “There now,” her grandmother said. “Don’t you feel better?”

  “Yes. Thanks for the dress.”

  The door from the connecting suite opened. Jaxon and his mother entered. He was dressed in new clothes, which didn’t quite fit. Now that she noticed, Merrick’s clothes hung loose on him, too. They must be wearing her grandfather’s things. If everyone was under some sort of house arrest, how had her grandmother gone shopping?

  “Why don’t we sit?” her grandmother suggested. “I don’t know when the others will join us.”

  Who else might join them besides her grandfather? If Ferrin made an appearance, she’d have a hard time keeping her food down.

  Merrick stood and pulled out her chair. Across the table, Jaxon mirrored his actions, seating his mother. Trying to be on her best behavior, Bryn resisted rolling her eyes.

  Jaxon sat and gazed at Bryn. “You no longer resemble a sunburned snake.”

  “Why thank you. It’s amazing what eyebrows do for a person.”

  Her grandmother appeared appalled.

  Bryn chuckled. “Don’t worry. That’s the nicest thing he’s ever said to me.”

  “At my table, I expect people to behave appropriately.” The older woman pointed at Jaxon. “That was a terrible excuse for a compliment. Try again.”

  “You’ll have to give me a moment. This goes against my genetics.” He squinted like he was trying to solve a puzzle.

  Bryn bit her lip to keep from laughing.

  “I’ve got it. Navy is a flattering color. You should wear it more often.”

  “Thank you.” She made a show of staring at the ceiling.

  “What are you doing?” Merrick asked.

  “Jaxon gave me a compliment. I was sure there’d be winged pigs up there somewhere.”

  Her grandmother was the only one who didn’t laugh.

  Abigail entered the room, pushing a silver cart. The scent of roasted chicken filled the air. Once her plate was piled with chicken, roast potatoes, and asparagus, she dug in, leaving the small talk to Merrick and Lillith.

  She cleared her plate before her grandmother was halfway finished. Could she ask for a second helping? Would that be rude?

  Hoping he’d know what to do, she tapped Merrick on the arm and pointed at her plate, figuring he’d understand the message.

  He glanced at her plate, and then across the table at Jaxon’s plate, which was also empty. “Abigail, I believe Bryn and Jaxon are used to eating larger meals.”

  Abigail refilled their plates and then pointed at a meringue-covered pie sitting on the cart. “Save room for dessert. It’s coconut cream.”

  “Don’t worry,” Merrick said. “She’ll have room. I’ve seen her eat her weight in food.”

  Bryn’s grandmother scowled. Not sure if this expression was directed at her or Merrick, she attempted to smooth the situation over. “He’s right. I eat more than most of my friends. Mr. Stanton thinks it’s because I use Quintessence to color my hair.”

  Her grandmother didn’t respond. Okay. Now what?

  To fill the void, Bryn kept talking. “I figured out how to do it by accident. Medic Williams thinks I’m a natural. I want to become a medic.”

  “Only Green dragons become medics.” Her grandmother stated this fact like it was one of the Ten Commandments.

  “I plan to petition the Directorate to be allowed into medical classes.”

  “Why do you want to work?” her grandmother asked.

  “I have to support myself somehow. A career as a medic would be rewarding.”

  Her grandfather entered the room. “What did I miss?”

  “Your
granddaughter wants to become a medic.”

  “That’s an interesting goal.” He sat at the head of the table. “But why?”

  “I can manipulate Quintessence. Medic Williams suggested the idea. I’m aware the Directorate will have to approve my course of study.”

  Her grandfather sipped his drink. “Show me what you can do.”

  Bryn colored her hair blond and then switched it back.

  “That’s impressive,” her grandfather said. “Impractical, but impressive.”

  Why didn’t her grandmother make him apologize for being rude? The woman probably knew when to choose her battles.

  “I don’t understand why you feel you have to work.” Her grandfather glanced at Merrick. “I assumed you had the situation settled.”

  Merrick shook his head. “I asked. She declined.”

  Bryn could feel the heat of Jaxon’s stare. She wanted to crawl under the table. “Could we please not talk about this now?”

  “I don’t understand.” Her grandmother plowed ahead. “You two seem fond of each other.”

  She hoped Merrick would step in and help her explain. He didn’t. The last thing she wanted to do was insult the man she’d come to depend on.

  “Let’s start with the age difference. I’m sixteen.” She poked Merrick’s arm. “How old are you?”

  “I’m twenty-six.”

  “He’s ten years older, and he’s married. It’s my understanding if you’re married, you aren’t allowed to date.” She didn’t think she could be any clearer. For emphasis, she added, “I don’t want a benefactor.”

  “You don’t want a benefactor?” Her grandmother acted like Bryn was speaking a foreign language.

  This was getting her nowhere. Bryn looked to Merrick. “Would it help if I performed an interpretive dance while I said the words?”

  Jaxon laughed.

  Her grandparents glared.

  Merrick laughed and tried to cover it as a cough.

  Bryn rubbed her temples. “I want a career so I can support myself. If I can’t become a medic, I’ll become a chef or a baker because food makes me happy.”

  “You want to be independent.” Her grandfather nodded. “I respect that, but I don’t know if you’re considering the long term.”

  Bryn fantasized about running screaming from the room. Instead, she stabbed her chicken with excess force.