Going Down in Flames (Going Down in Flames #1)(101)

“Zavien?”

He shifted, made eye contact with her, and gave her the crooked grin she loved. Then his eyes rolled back in his head, and he collapsed onto the ground.

“No.” She crawled to him and cradled his head in her lap. He had to be okay.

Medic Williams was by his side in a flash. “I’ve got him, Bryn. He’ll be all right.”

Where did Medic Williams get the strength to keep healing people? Bryn held her breath as Medic Williams channeled Quintessence into Zavien. When his eyes fluttered open, Bryn smiled down at him. “You scared the hell out of me. Don’t do that again.”

“Payback for the dragonbane,” he muttered.

Ferrin dropped from the sky, shifting before his talons touched the ground. Landing at his son’s side, he pulled Jaxon into an embrace. The raw emotion on Ferrin’s face convinced Bryn he had heart after all.

Lillith lay off to the side, forgotten. Luckily, the woman’s eyes were closed. Wait a minute. Why were her eyes closed? “Lillith?”

Ferrin released his son and touched his wife’s arm. “Why isn’t she awake?”

The blond woman’s eyes fluttered open. “Jaxon?”

“He’s fine,” Ferrin assured her. “Medic Williams saved you both.”

“Wrong,” Medic Williams said. “Bryn saved them. She pulled them from the building. She purged the poison from your son’s body. You owe her a debt of gratitude.”

Ferrin gave a stiff nod.

“Thank you both,” Jaxon said in a solemn voice.

Her grandfather approached and held his hand out to Bryn. Zavien sat up, and she allowed her grandfather to pull her to her feet.

“Well done. I’m proud to call you my granddaughter.”

Pride and a warm sense of peace filled Bryn. “Thank you.”

Her grandfather frowned at Zavien. “Young man, what are you doing on my estate?”

And now she wanted to kick her grandfather in the shins.

“When Bryn didn’t return to school like she was supposed to, I came to check on her. If I’d known what Alec planned, I would’ve stopped him.”

Her grandfather’s eyes narrowed. “I thought you were on the same side.”

“You know those petitions you keep receiving? Those are from me. Alec went too far.”

“I’m taking Zavien inside.” Medic Williams gave her grandfather a significant look. “Any objections?”

“Of course not. He’ll be my guest. Take him to my wing.”

Bryn moved to go with Zavien.

“Stay here,” her grandfather said. “You can visit your friend after he’s treated.”

She thought about arguing, but Zavien reached for her hand and squeezed it. “Come find me later.”

“Okay.” Sometimes, doing the right thing sucked.

Merrick approached. “Did Alec say why he did this?”

“He claimed the Directorate, and Ferrin in particular, stole his life. He wanted to punish Ferrin and end the Sinclair line.” She took a step toward where Ferrin sat. “What did you do to him?”

Ferrin’s lips set in a tight line. He didn’t answer.

“Father?” Jaxon prompted.

“Sometimes the Directorate has to make unpopular decisions for the welfare of all.” His voice held no hint of apology.

There was the man she knew and loathed. “What gives you the right to decide someone’s life?”

Ferrin stood and spoke through clenched teeth. “You know nothing of what we do. There is a delicate balance that must be maintained.”

Fire crawled up the back of her throat, but she pushed it down. “According to your delicate balance, I shouldn’t exist. But I was the one who figured out the bomb was also meant for Jaxon. I faced that lunatic and rescued your family. If it wasn’t for me, your wife and son would be nothing more than charred remains in an abandoned bedroom.”

Every vein on Ferrin’s neck bulged. “If it wasn’t for you, my wife and son never would’ve been in danger in the first place. This is your fault. Your very existence is a blight on our kind.”

Hate. Pure, undiluted hate fueled the fire roaring inside her. She hated Ferrin and the Directorate and this whole damn dragon life. It would feel so good to blast the arrogant son of a… Oh why not? She sucked in a breath and shot a sixteen-inch fireball to the left of Ferrin’s head.

Eyes bulging, he dodged right and hit the ground.

“How dare you.” Frost shot from Ferrin’s mouth as he spoke.

“Calm down. She obviously aimed to the side.” Merrick sidled over and placed his hand on Bryn’s arm. “At times, we’ve all wanted to kill Ferrin. He has limited social skills. Keep in mind he owes you for his son’s and wife’s lives. One day, you can collect on that debt. Until then, let’s go inside. You can change into pajamas. I’ll bring you large amounts of food. When Zavien is ready for visitors, Medic Williams will come and find you.”

“But it’s all so wrong.” She pointed at Ferrin. “If he’s in charge, we’re all doomed.”

“Bryn, you forget…he does not rule alone,” her grandfather said. “Which reminds me, Ferrin. I’ve decided my granddaughter will marry.”