Bridges Burned (Going Down in Flames #2)(41)

In one of the books, she found where Alec’s marriage petition to a girl named Analise Lane was denied. Alec had been offered another choice, which he had refused. What had happened to Analise?

After flipping through a few more books, Bryn found lists of benefactors—the men who kept mistresses—and the women they were involved with. There was only one name paired with each male. At least they were faithful to their mistresses.

Halfway through the book, Bryn found Analise’s name next to a male named Castor Wrenright. Her name was crossed out in different-colored ink and a new woman’s name was written next to it. What did that mean? Did mistresses get dumped? Talk about adding injury to insult. First you’re not good enough to marry and then they break up with you? That would be grounds for murder.

Bryn shook her head. Before she’d come into her power and shifted into a dragon for the first time, she’d never thought about murdering people in such a casual manner. Sure there had been a few snotty girls at her old school she wouldn’t have missed if someone had flattened them with a truck, but this new attitude was different. Was her temper worse now, since she could shift into a dragon? She didn’t think so. Then again, no one had tried to kill her before. Being poisoned and partially blown up was enough to sharpen anyone’s temper.

Fantasizing about killing Zavien didn’t mean she’d follow through with it.

What about dragons who did follow through with their instincts? In his Orientation speech, Ferrin had mentioned a student facing incarceration. Furious over the denial of his marriage petition, he’d burned down a Directorate member’s home. The Directorate must have its own prison system. Where were the records for that? They must be here somewhere. There was no catalog system for those books that she knew of, or had access to. How could she find them?

And then she saw it. Of course. More color-coding. All the books she’d checked so far that recorded marriage petitions had a midnight-blue binding. A few shelves over, all the books had red bindings. A quick check showed the books with red bindings recorded business deals. Green bindings contained medical records. Black bindings contained endowments given to various arts. White bindings contained family trees.

In the back of each of the books was an index, which allowed you to search by date or name. Maybe she could find Analise’s name somewhere and figure out what happened to her.

An hour later, her head hurt, and she was no closer to finding the information she needed. It was like a giant scavenger hunt. She needed help. Clint and Ivy would help, but what if someone found out they were poking around? She wouldn’t put it past the Directorate to deny marriage petitions to people who questioned them. Best not to involve her friends. But who did that leave?

…

The next day she tracked Jaxon down in Basic Movement and told him about her investigation. He stared at her like she was insane. “You want me to do what?”

She should have known he wouldn’t come quietly. Moving closer so the other students couldn’t hear, she said, “I want you to help me figure out what happened to Alec’s intended.”

“And why would I do that?”

“You started this investigation with your questions about Alec and how he knew about my grandfather’s estate.”

“Yes. And that’s why you’re supposed to be investigating Alec, not this Analise.”

It took effort to keep her voice low. “Whatever happened to Analise is the reason Alec went homicidal. Why was her name crossed out? Are mistresses replaced once they reach a certain age?”

He stared off into space for a moment. “If what I’ve heard is true, it’s a lifelong association.”

“So she died?”

“That would be my first guess.”

Not good. “We need to find out how she died.”

He rolled his eyes. “There’s this fabulous invention called the computer.”

“Do you think I didn’t start there?” Maybe she could appeal to his natural greed. “I bet you twenty bucks her name doesn’t bring up any information relevant to her death.”

His eyes narrowed. “Fine. Meet me in the library tonight at seven.”

…

Jaxon used his student password to sign in to one of the library’s computers. He scrolled up and down. His jaw muscle twitched as he glared at the screen.

“There isn’t any indication this Analise ever existed.”

“See. That’s why I need help going through the Directorate records. Or you could ask your father.”

“Like my father has nothing better to do.” He stood and gestured for her to lead the way. “Let’s get this over with. I have an essay to write for Elemental Science.”

“Essay? What essay?” Had her mind drifted in class and she’d missed an assignment?

“If you read your syllabus, you’d know we have an essay on the multifunctional uses of our breath weapons due next Thursday.”

“Don’t scare me like that.” She whacked him on the arm in the same manner she’d smack Clint.

His entire body stiffened. Eyes narrowed, frost shot from his nose. “Did you just hit me?”

A month ago, this display of temper would’ve had her preparing for battle. Now, her first instinct was to laugh. She pretended to cough until she was under control.

“Sorry. Would you prefer I not do that?”