Bridges Burned (Going Down in Flames #2)(33)
He clasped her right hand between his and stared at her like she was the most beautiful creature in the world. “There’s something about you, something special, something worth fighting for.”
Wow. If there ever was a perfect thing for a guy to say, that was it. “Valmont, I—”
“I know you’re working through some issues right now.” He reached out and tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. “I’ll be here when you’ve figured everything out. Then we can continue this conversation.” He leaned in and kissed her on the cheek before he left.
…
In Elemental Science on Monday morning, Bryn found a new seating chart on the board. The assignments seemed random. She was in the third row between Quentin and Ivy.
“Notice who’s missing?” Quentin asked.
After a quick check of the room, she realized the Orange dragons weren’t present.
Mr. Stanton stood and cleared his throat. “After recent events on campus, the Directorate decided to investigate the Orange Clan. Octavius and Vivian will rejoin us once their innocence has been determined.”
“They helped fix the rifts,” Bryn said. “Why would the Directorate think they did it?”
“I believe they are going with the duck theory,” Mr. Stanton replied.
Bryn waited for the punch line. There wasn’t one. “You lost me.”
“The duck theory is simple. If it looks like a duck and walks like a duck, then it’s probably a duck.” Mr. Stanton frowned. “The Directorate is investigating the most obvious suspects first.”
How would they know which Orange dragons attacked the campus? It’s not like ripping open the ground left fingerprints.
“Students, I encourage you not to jump to conclusions. Just because there are a few rogue Orange dragons, that doesn’t mean the entire Clan or your classmates are involved.”
A low rumble broke out in the class as students growled or whispered.
“I assure you the Directorate has everything under control. New security measures have been taken. It’s my duty to inform you that you’ll no longer be able to visit Dragon’s Bluff during the week. On the weekends you’ll be allowed to leave the institute after signing out at the gate.”
More grumbling filled the class as students objected to the restriction.
“I’ve seated you in an alternating pattern. Given the current climate it seems advisable for us to practice deflecting breath weapons. Pair up and then switch partners.”
By the end of class, Bryn felt confident she could defend herself against another student. Fighting off an adult might be another story.
In Basic Movement, she spotted Jaxon and Quentin fighting with swords. “Will you guys come with me to see what they’re doing?” Bryn asked Clint and Ivy.
“Sure.” Ivy grabbed Clint’s hand and pulled him along.
Jaxon and Quentin danced around each other searching for openings. Both moved fluidly and struck with precision. When Jaxon’s sword connected with Quentin’s shoulder, the two blonds stopped to catch their breath. Quentin handed his sword to Jaxon, nodded at Bryn and her friends and climbed out of the ring.
Jaxon offered the weapon to Bryn. “Want to give it try?”
She climbed into the ring and accepted the thin wooden sword. “I’m not sure what I’m supposed to do with this. Valmont’s sword is bigger.”
“No man wants to hear that,” Clint called out.
Bryn snorted with laughter.
“You’ve no class at all,” Jaxon said.
“Class is overrated.” Bryn tested the weight of the sword. “Enlighten me with your superior knowledge.”
“Your knight probably has a broadsword. It’s an unsophisticated weapon meant for hacking away at the enemy.” Jaxon held out his sword. “This is a rapier. It’s a more precise instrument used to stab the opponent.”
Bryn waved the sword in a figure eight.
“No.” Jaxon came to stand by her side. “Watch. You thrust and retreat. The object is to fatally wound your enemy before he stabs you.”
His superior tone annoyed her. “Are you always this obnoxious when you play teacher?”
“Fine. You fight your way. I’ll fight mine.” He returned to his side of the ring. “First to three touches wins?”
Jaxon might beat her, but she wouldn’t back down. “Agreed.”
He came at her with a quick thrust. She swung her sword at his weapon to counter the attack. He closed in on her. She tried to block. He feinted left and then stabbed her right shoulder.
“Damn it.”
He smiled.
She went on the attack and swung at his torso. He blocked her sword with ease and tapped her forearm.
Smoke shot from her nostrils.
Jaxon chuckled.
She narrowed her eyes and lunged at him. Her sword connected with his ribs, giving her a rush of joy.
He went on the attack. His sword was a blur as he stabbed at her. Pain in her ribs told her he’d connected again. She growled in frustration.
He laughed at her.
Aiming for his head, she swung the sword in a wide arc.
Surprised, he blocked the blow and ripped the sword from her hand. “It’s over. You lost. Deal with it.”
Bryn growled. She hated losing, especially to Jaxon.