Bridges Burned (Going Down in Flames #2)(100)

“Good idea.”

“And Bryn?”

“Yes.”

“The tattoo you saw. Do you know what it means?”

She didn’t want to lie to her grandmother. “I thought those were symbols for the elements.”

“Alone they are, but together like that they are a symbol for treason. Do you understand why I’m telling you this?”

“Because you don’t want me doodling it in a notebook?” Bryn joked.

“No notebooks, no tattoos, no anything. Understand?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Bryn headed for her bedroom, called Abigail, ordered pizza, and changed into her pajamas while she waited for Rhianna to return from her guest room. By the time Rhianna came back, the pizza had been delivered.

“What took you so long?” Bryn stacked two pieces of pepperoni pizza on top of each other and bit into spicy, cheesy bliss.

“I called Jaxon to see if he was all right.”

“Why wouldn’t he be?”

Rhianna cut her pizza into bite-sized pieces with a knife and fork. “Tonight, you were privy to Directorate information, and he was not. I could tell it bothered him.”

And just like that, it hit Bryn. “You care about him, don’t you?”

She gave a sad smile. “When our lineage check was approved, I thought he was a suitable match. I respected him. I never expected to feel anything more than that. But, ever since my accident, I’ve seen a different side of him. It seems the height of irony that I am developing feelings for the male I’m no longer allowed to marry.” Tears sparkled in her eyes. “And the girl who will marry the boy I’m falling in love with is my friend.”

Bryn slumped back against the couch. “I have no words for how sorry I am about all this. Does it help that I don’t want him? Because I don’t. You know that. Right?”

“I know, and he’s not interested in you, either.”

“Good, because I don’t want to lose you as a friend.”

…

The next morning, Bryn woke to someone rooting around in her closet. “Who’s there?”

Abigail poked her head out. “Sorry to disturb you. Your grandmother suggested I pack your things for school.”

Bryn’s head was fuzzy. Rubbing grit from her eyes, she tried to remember what day it was. That was right, she returned to school tomorrow.

Good. She wanted to go back to being the old Bryn with striped hair who wore jeans and tennis shoes. Twenty bucks said Abigail wouldn’t pack a single pair of jeans. She’d have to check the bags before she left.

Hopping out of bed, Bryn grabbed a robe. “Did my grandmother give you a message for me?” She didn’t want to wander around the house and risk bumping into her grandfather, who she no longer trusted and had no desire to see.

“She said you should come to the atrium for breakfast.”

“Thank you.”

Thirty minutes later, Bryn found her grandmother sitting in the atrium with Lillith. The white wrought iron table was set for three, with a platter of bagels and muffins in the middle. Where was Rhianna?

“Good morning.” Bryn sat, poured herself a cup of coffee, and grabbed a cinnamon swirl bagel. She glanced around. No toaster in sight, so she sliced the bagel and placed it cut side down on her palm. Concentrating, she shot a quick blast of flames from her palm and ta da, one toasted bagel.

Lillith giggled while her grandmother shook her head, but there was a smile on her face.

“Anyone else want a toasted bagel?” Bryn asked.

“I’ve already eaten,” Lillith said. “Otherwise I’d say yes.”

“Grandmother?”

“No, thank you. And don’t do that—”

“In front of my grandfather.” Bryn finished the sentence for her.

“Exactly,” her grandmother said.

“Did Rhianna already eat?” Bryn asked.

“Jaxon picked her up this morning. They were going to spend the day together,” Lillith said.

“That’s nice.” One, because it would make Rhianna happy, and two, because it meant Bryn wouldn’t be blessed with his presence.

“We should talk about the welcome-back-to-school gala that your grandmother and I are planning.” Lillith beamed with excitement.

Rhianna’s plan must have worked. “What’s a gala?” Bryn asked.

“It’s an occasion marking a special event,” her grandmother said. “In this case, we’ll be celebrating the students’ return to school after the holidays and the start of a new, safer year at school.”

Bryn believed the first part, but doubted the second. “That sounds great.”

“I’m glad to hear you say that. Since Lillith and I planned the event it’s only right you and Jaxon act as hosts at the party.”

Oh, hell. “I don’t suppose this is something I can argue my way out of.”

“No.” Her grandmother and Lillith responded at the same time in the same smug tone.

“Great. Hosting with Jaxon. I can’t wait.”

…

That night as she fell asleep, Bryn reviewed all the weird twists and turns her life had taken.

Due to her skill with Quintessence and her ability to heal those injured at the Christmas Eve ball, she was no longer despised by all Blues. And more importantly, her grandfather was proud of her. While he wouldn’t win any contests for being warm and fuzzy, his approval meant a lot, and her grandmother had turned out to be more warm and loving than Bryn ever thought possible. There would be bumps in the road as they moved forward, but she was happy and grateful they were part of her life.