Bridges Burned (Going Down in Flames #2)(10)

“That is so—” Wham.

Something slammed into her chest, knocking her backward, chair and all. She windmilled her arms, but momentum threw her to the floor. Smack! Pain shot down her spine as her head whacked the floor. “Damn it.” Cradling her head, she rolled to her side.

Jaxon draped his jacket over her legs. “Can you sit up?”

She gritted her teeth as he helped her to a seated position on the floor. “Tell me I didn’t flash the entire class.”

“About a third of them know you wear stockings. I’ll keep the information about the bumblebees to myself.” His smirk spoke volumes.

“Wonderful.”

Octavius appeared by her side. “I’m sorry. I thought the lesser amount was safe.”

“It’s not your fault.” Bryn rubbed the sore spot on the back of her head. “I thought my fire would disintegrate your sonic waves like Jaxon’s ice did.”

Mr. Stanton knelt next to her. “The mass of the ice stops the waves. Fire has no mass so the waves travel through.”

“You might have mentioned that before,” she snapped.

“Sorry. Do I need to call a medic?”

“No. Only my pride is wounded.”

“Let’s get you back in your seat,” Mr. Stanton said.

Holding Jaxon’s jacket in front of her, she stood and took her seat.

“Thanks.” She passed the jacket back.

He nodded. “I reserve the right to antagonize you about this later.”

After Elemental Science, Bryn headed to the library while the rest of her classmates attended history. Being banished from history class because she’d argued with the teacher—in her very first class—had its perks. She had an hour in the library to outline the history text or work on one of the term papers for Mr. Stanton.

First things first, she approached the librarian, Miss Enid, who sat behind the front desk. Bryn pulled out the legends books she’d finished reading, and placed the story about the Red and Black dragon falling in love on top. “This one was my favorite.”

“I wonder why?” Miss Enid grinned as she picked up the books and placed them below the desk. “How are things progressing on that front?”

Miss Enid was one of the few who knew about her relationship with Zavien. “It could be better. I’m never sure where I stand.”

“You never are, dear. That’s why love is so complicated.” She pulled two books from the depths of her desk. “Try these. I already checked them out for you.”

“Thanks.” On the cover of the first book, a woman with red hair swung a torch at a blond man who resembled Jaxon. “I feel her pain.” The second book showed a dark-skinned woman blocking a sword thrust from a male member of her Clan.

Bryn climbed the stairs to the third floor and walked past the intricate stained glass windows depicting dragons in flight. Each dragon was blasting its breath weapon into the heavens. The Blue’s ice, Red’s fire, and Black’s lightning were easily recognizable. The Green dragon’s wind and the Orange dragon’s sonic waves were more abstract. The artist had probably done the best he could. In the far back corner, she set her things on the table and began to work.

Ten minutes later, the chair across from her was pulled out. Now what? Without looking up from her history text, she asked, “Friend or foe?”





Chapter Four


“Associate,” a male voice replied.

“That’s an interesting category.” She gripped her pencil and raised her head. Onyx, the leader of the Revisionists, sat across from her dressed impeccably, as usual. The silver tie he wore with his black suit matched the silver at the temples of his hair. And it made him look like he was trying way too hard. Even though Onyx had given her a key pendant with a protection charm, she didn’t trust him. He was too slick.

“What’s up?”

“Zavien informed me you’ve used up the protection charm.” He chuckled. “Those normally last ten years. You’re a lot of trouble.”

“It’s not like I ask people to try to kill me.”

His smile widened until she could count his molars. “Too true. If you’ll return the key to me, I’ll have the charm replaced.”

Her fingertips touched the dragon locket Zavien had given her as a birthday gift, where she kept the key. “Do you think I still need it? My grandfather did recognize me.”

“That was an unusual turn of events. I fear there may still be those who wish you harm.”

Alec’s wild eyes flashed in her mind. Maybe Onyx could answer a few questions. “How well did you know Alec?”

“He was a brilliant but misguided young man.” Onyx’s face clouded over.

Nice vague answer.

“I’d appreciate if you didn’t put the anxiety spell on it this time.” Bryn popped the locket open and retrieved the small golden key with the red and blue stones. “Since I know what it is I won’t take it off.”

“Of course.”

He reached to take it, but Bryn pulled her hand back. “Where did the key come from?”

“It’s something I had lying around.” Onyx’s fake smile came on full beam. “Given the color of the stones, I thought it suitable. Why do you ask?”