Going Down in Flames (Going Down in Flames #1)(17)

“Why?”

“It symbolizes who you are.” One corner of his mouth quirked up. “Plus, I like it that way.”

“You’ll only draw more attention to yourself,” Garret said.

“If I’m going to be different, I might as well have fun with it.” She closed her eyes and pictured her strawberry blond hair mixed with golden blond stripes.

She opened her eyes, and Zavien nodded his approval.

“I like it.” Her mom reached out to touch her hair and then pulled her into a hug. “I’ve always been jealous that you had your dad’s coloring.”

“I fly like you,” Bryn said.

“She punches like me.” Her dad kept his gaze locked on Zavien. “Don’t forget that.”

Bryn’s vision swam as her dad swept her into a bear hug.

“Do not take crap from anyone.” He kissed the top of her head. “You’re as good as they are.”

“Don’t worry,” she said with more confidence than she felt. “I’m an advanced hybrid.”

“It would be best if we left from the roof,” Garret said.

That made sense.

Zavien pulled what looked like a nylon wallet from his back pocket. When he opened it, it turned into a net made of black webbing. “For the suitcases,” he explained. Once he had the suitcases in the net, he pulled it tight, turning it into a bag. “All right. It’s time.”

It took every ounce of strength Bryn had to walk away from her parents. This was it. Time to suck it up and do what she had to do. Blinking rapidly, she turned and followed Zavien and Garret down the hall. Her stomach felt hollow. She had one last glimpse of her parents in the warm yellow light of her kitchen before climbing up the ladder into the attic and out the hatch onto the roof. When the hatch door shut behind her, she shivered. Without a word, all three of them shifted. Zavien grabbed the luggage with his talons, and they flew off into the darkness.





Chapter Seven

Bryn’s heart beat fast as she flew through the night sky. Up above the clouds, there wasn’t much to see. Everything was gray and damp, which fit her mood perfectly.

The wind buffeted her wings, making it difficult to fly in a straight line. Her short practice flight hadn’t prepared her for this type of exertion. What if she couldn’t make it? A cold blast of wind knocked her off course and sent her veering toward Zavien.

He moved out of the way with ease. “Hello, I was flying there.”

Like she needed crap from him right now. A growl rumbled from her throat, and smoke shot from her nostrils.

He must’ve realized how close he was to being barbecued, because the next word out of his mouth was, “Sorry.”

Twenty minutes later, Garret and Zavien began a spiraling descent. Thank God. She landed next to them on the ground and stumbled sideways. Using her wings, she steadied herself. Why were landings so hard? Tired and embarrassed, she shifted to human form. Her legs felt like they were made of cement.

A tall, black, wrought iron fence stood between them and the buildings beyond. A security guard with red hair and a muscular build like her father’s stood by the gate. He didn’t appear happy to see them. “What are you doing out here? Curfew is in ten minutes.”

Zavien produced a letter from his shirt pocket. “Believe it or not, I’m on official duty for the Directorate.”

The security guard scanned the paper. “There’s a first time for everything.” He pressed a code into the numbered pad on the side of the gate. It swung open on silent hinges. “Best get inside. It’s late.”

Bryn stepped onto the school grounds and examined the campus that would be her new home. Something about this place was off. Old-fashioned streetlamps lined the walkways, casting a haze of light. Imposing buildings, complete with statues of gargoyles, loomed against the night sky. Dark figures could be seen on stone balconies. Some stood on two legs, while others had wings.

Half a dozen buildings surrounded the large park they walked through. The landscaping was too perfect. It reminded her of the time she’d gone to Disneyland, where the bushes had been trimmed to resemble giraffes and lions. There wasn’t a stray leaf or weed anywhere. But this definitely wasn’t the happiest place on earth.

“This way.” Garret led them toward a building on the right. When they reached their destination, he held the door open for her. “Welcome to our dorm.”

As she stepped across the threshold, a sea of curious, hazel eyes met her gaze. She did a double take. Every single person had the same coloring as Garret. Same dark skin. Same brown hair.

And she was gawking. Clamping down on the anxiety attack she felt certain was coming on, she gave a tight smile. Her audience pointed and whispered. Not the friendliest greeting she’d ever received. At least they weren’t pelting her with textbooks.

“This is the main student lounge.” Garret gestured around the room.

Pool tables clustered at the far end of the lounge. Sets of forest green couches and tan, wing-backed chairs filled the rest of the impressive space. The overall effect was comfortable luxury.

Garret walked toward a wide marble staircase. “The first floor consists of the lounge and a small café. The second through the fourth floors are student rooms. Each floor has an alcove with vending machines. At this time, the second and third floors are occupied. The Institute closed off the fourth floor years ago.”