Going Down in Flames (Going Down in Flames #1)(20)

“Ladies and gentlemen, it’s time to commence. Let me take this opportunity to welcome you. I’m sure you’re as thrilled to be here as we are to have you.”

Right. She resisted the urge to snort.

“We’ll start with introductions. Students, when your name is called, please stand. We’ll begin with the Blue Clan: Jaxon Westgate.”

The boy she’d tried making nice with stood to a polite round of applause. That explained his attitude. He was Ferrin’s evil spawn.

Jaxon appeared at ease being the center of attention. Several other Blue dragons stood when their names were called. Bryn fidgeted in her seat. What category would she be in?

When the speaker finished introducing the Red Clan and hadn’t mentioned her, she thought she might be introduced with the Green Clan.

No such luck.

The speaker moved on to the Black Clan and then the Orange Clan. There were only two students from the Orange clan, but they stared at the crowd in defiance. They had bronze skin and dark hair. At least there were two of them.

After the Orange dragons sat, the speaker sniffed like he smelled something rotten. “The last student on our list is Bryn McKenna.” He said her name with obvious distaste. “She’ll reside with the Green Clan during her time here.”

Squaring her shoulders, Bryn stood. People stared. The word “mongrel” and other, less flattering names came at her from all sides. It took great effort not to run from the room. She clenched her jaw and worked at keeping a polite smile on her face. When Jaxon glared at her, she refused to avert her gaze. Instead, she mocked him with a smirk.

“If all the students would please come forward, we’d like to take you on a tour of the campus.”

Bryn’s pulse spiked. This could be bad. Very bad. Torches and pitchforks bad. Fingernails digging into her palms, she joined the other students and waited to see who’d attack first.

A girl with wild black hair that stuck out in all directions approached Bryn. “Cool hair.”

“Thanks.” Reaching for something to say, Bryn pointed at the ivy tattoo wrapped around the girl’s arm. “Did that hurt?”

“It wasn’t bad.” The girl shrugged. “And it was the perfect choice.”

“Why?”

“My name’s Ivy.”

“Oh.” What could she say now? By her coloring, she guessed this girl was a Black dragon. “Do you know Zavien?”

“The guy with the spiked hair and the dragon tattoo?”

“That’s him,” Bryn said.

“He’s hot.” Ivy gave a slow grin. “I heard he does tattoos. I wonder if he’d do me?”

A guy with a black Mohawk and lightning tattoos on his forearms elbowed Ivy. “If he won’t, I will.”

Ivy rolled her eyes. “Bryn, this is Clint, the blight of my life.”

“Hello.” Clint winked. “Ivy’s in love with me. She doesn’t know it yet.”

“Clint suffers from a personality impairment. He thinks all women lust after him.”

“Not all girls, just those with good taste.” Clint slung his arm around Ivy’s shoulders. She let it stay for a moment before shrugging it off.

“Students, we’re starting the tour. Come this way.”

Bryn shuffled along with the crowd, listening to Ivy and Clint banter while she paid some attention to the tour. The campus didn’t seem difficult to understand. There were five student dorms in use. The tour leader hinted there used to be more.

After the dorms, they were shown the library, the auditorium, and several buildings devoted to different areas of study. It wasn’t until they entered the stadium that she was truly impressed. Four stories high and three football fields wide, the structure was massive. Obstacles sat on the ground and were suspended from the ceiling. She’d never seen anything like it.

“What do they play here?”

“You’ve never been to an agility trial?” Ivy asked.

Time to lay her cards on the table. “The whole banishment thing kind of got in the way of coming to sporting events.”

Clint gave a low whistle. “Your parents were really banished?”

Bryn nodded. “Besides Zavien and Garret, you’re the first dragons I’ve talked to.”

“That’s not true.” Ivy grinned. “You talked to Jaxon earlier.”

Fire spiked in her gut, and smoke drifted from her nostrils when she spoke. “If I’d have known who he was, I’d have steered clear.”

“His expression when he realized who you were was priceless.” Clint chuckled.

Bryn came to an abrupt halt. “It’s wrong for someone to hate you for something beyond your control. Doesn’t the idiot realize if my mom had married his dad, neither of us would exist?”

Ivy grabbed her arm and pulled her to move along with the group. “Logic doesn’t have anything to do with it. It’s about pride. Blues are notoriously proud.”

“They’re also arrogant and obnoxious,” Clint said.

Ivy elbowed him. “Hello? Her mom’s a Blue.”

“Obviously, her mom isn’t like other Blues, because she dumped Mr. Westgate for a nicer guy.” He pointed at Bryn’s hair. “I’m not sure how a Red and Blue dragon created a Black dragon. What is your real hair color?”