Going Down in Flames (Going Down in Flames #1)(11)

Bryn’s dad placed his arm around her shoulders. “Nothing relieves stress like setting things on fire. Let’s go practice your breath weapons.”

Destruction sounded good.

Hidden behind an industrial-size Dumpster in the alley behind the studio, Bryn burned through her stress, literally. Setting things on fire was cathartic. Just for fun, she imagined Ferrin’s head wherever she aimed her flames.

She torched one last trash can full of papers. “I do feel better.”

“Good.” He pointed at the flames. “Put that out and it will be time for ice cream.”

Bryn focused on snow and ice. A cold sensation built in her chest. She took a deep breath, exhaled, and shot a stream of ice at the trash can, drowning out the flames.

Sitting at the butcher-block table in the kitchen, Bryn worked her way through a bowl of chocolate ice cream while her dad ate straight from the carton.

Her mom joined them and handed Bryn a black velvet jewelers box. “My father gave me this for my sixteenth birthday.”

Bryn popped the box open and gaped at the bracelet nestled in the gray silk lining. Talk about bling. Interconnecting snowflakes the size of quarters made up the bracelet. At the center of each snowflake was a diamond the size of a dime.

“Are those real?”

“The bracelet is made of diamonds and platinum. When my father gave it to me, he was so proud. At first, I thought he was proud of me, but then I realized he was proud he could commission a piece like this and pay for it. He always cared more for money than people.”

Her grandfather sounded like a jerk.

The light played off the diamonds, but it didn’t distract Bryn from the elephant in the room. “Have you spoken to your families recently?”

Her mom gave a tight smile. “For the first few years, we wrote letters, but they were returned unopened. I sent your birth announcement, hoping if they heard about you, it would make a difference. It was sent back like all the others.”

Sorry she’d asked, Bryn secured the bracelet on her wrist. “Do you think I’ll meet your parents once I’m at school?”

“Even if you come into contact with them,” her mom said, “I doubt they’d recognize you as family.”

She could fix that. “I’ll wave this expensive bracelet in their faces and yell hello until they do.”

“That’s my girl,” her dad said.

“What about your family?” she asked.

“They didn’t respond to any of the letters, either. I was an only child, and so were my parents, so the odds of you bumping into any of my relatives are slim.” He clapped her on the shoulder. “On to a happier topic. After dinner tonight, we’ll take you flying.”

Excitement bubbled in her chest, or maybe that was her wings trying to unfurl. “You’re going to teach me how to fly?”

“There’s supposed to be a heavy cloud cover tonight,” he said. “No one should see us.”

“In the meantime,” her mom said. “We need to go shopping for your new school clothes. You can call Beth to go with us.”

…

An hour later, Bryn’s mom parked their car in front of Beth’s house and honked.

“She’ll never hear the horn if she’s listening to music. I’ll go get her.” She was three feet from the car when Beth flew out of the house, crossed the lawn, and tackle-hugged her.

“You can’t go.” Beth sniffled. “Make your parents change their minds.”

Hugging Beth back, Bryn blinked rapidly, attempting to keep her tears under control. “I tried. It didn’t work.”

Beth let go of her and backed up a step. “This sucks.”

“That’s kind of the theme of my life right now.” Aware of how little time she had to spend with her best friend, Bryn tugged her toward the car. “Come on. We have shopping to do.”

Once they were in the car, Beth launched into a campaign-to-keep-Bryn-home speech. “Mrs. McKenna, you should keep Bryn here. She’ll be in more danger at some school where no one knows who she is.”

Sadly, those words were true.

“I’m sorry, Beth. What’s done is done. Buckle up.”

When they reached the mall, Bryn headed for the clearance section of the juniors’ department where they normally shopped.

“We’re not shopping there.” Her mom led them to a store that featured dress clothes in the window.

“Seriously?” Beth pointed at the female mannequin wearing a long red plaid skirt and a cream-colored, cable knit sweater.

Bryn sighed. “I have one mind-blowing word for you…panty hose.”

“Are you sure you wouldn’t rather face the stalker?” Beth deadpanned. “Speaking of which, shouldn’t we be keeping an eye out for him?”

“He’s only approached Bryn when she’s been alone, so I think we’re fine. Come on, girls.” Bryn’s mom marched into the store.

Bryn followed, surveying the boring blouses she’d never willingly wear.

Her mom held up a white, button-down blouse with blue pinstripes. “This is cute.”

Beth snorted but didn’t comment.

Bryn grabbed the price tag hanging from the sleeve and flinched. “Why are we shopping here? It’s expensive.”