Going Down in Flames (Going Down in Flames #1)(23)

“I’m sorry, who are you?”

“My name is Mr. Stanton.” He flashed an ID badge. “I’m head of the Green Clan on campus. It’s my duty to counsel all students who reside in my dormitory, and for some odd reason, that includes you.”

Time to kill him with kindness. “It’s nice to meet you. Thank you for letting me stay in your dorm.”

Mr. Stanton gave her a terse nod and then pointed down the sidewalk. “This way.”

Bryn followed. Most people gave way to his determined gait. She bet he had a reputation for being disagreeable.

He led her into the science building to a sparsely decorated office. A plain oak desk held his appointment book, computer, and phone. The only picture on the wall was a framed photograph of a large, brown dog with a drooling problem.

She sat on an uncomfortable wooden chair and waited for him to speak.

After opening two drawers, he retrieved a green file folder and placed it on his desk. Her name was written in neat, black script on the front. “What do you hope to accomplish during your time here?”

Best to go with the truth. “I want to get through school with as little conflict as possible.”

“Do you consider yourself intelligent?”

She sensed a trap. “I won’t be valedictorian, but I’m not stupid.”

“If you have an inkling of intelligence, then you should know your time here will be filled with conflict.”

Bryn realized her mouth was hanging open. “What do you expect me to say to that?”

He leaned back in his chair. “At this point, I don’t expect much of you at all.”

Oh, really? “You don’t know me. I can do whatever I set my mind to.”

“That’s better. Now, what do you hope to accomplish during your time here?”

Smoke shot from her nostrils. He’d set her up, and she’d fallen for it. She wouldn’t let that happen again. What did she hope to accomplish here? She wanted to blurt out, “I want to graduate and get away from other dragons.” Instead, she went with, “I want to run my own business, like my parents.”

He flipped through her file. “Given your unique situation, that is appropriate.”

What did he mean by that?

He cleared his throat, like he expected a reaction.

“Was that comment supposed to tick me off? I know I’m the only crossbred dragon at school. Calling me unique isn’t an insult.”

“Your parents raised you to be independent, didn’t they? Most of the young ladies who cross my path talk about what studies they want to complete before they marry.”

Bryn snorted. “I can’t imagine thinking about marriage at sixteen. It’s absurd. Most people don’t marry until they’re in their midtwenties.”

“You’re right. Most people don’t. However, it’s tradition for dragons to marry after they complete their college studies here at the Institute.”

She did some quick mental math. After a bachelor’s degree, most people would be twenty-two. That seemed awfully young. He couldn’t be serious. “All dragons marry after they finish their college courses? How is that possible?”

“Dragon families petition the Directorate for approval of an arranged marriage. Some petitions are approved earlier than others. A petition must be applied for by the time children turn eighteen.”

It felt like someone punched her in the gut. “All dragons are paired up by eighteen?”

“If the Directorate approves, betrothal arrangements are announced during high school or after high school graduation. Some approvals take longer than others. Once both parties complete their college degrees and turn twenty-two, they’re married. Some dragons marry earlier.”

In theory, she knew her mom had run away to escape being married to Ferrin. But in practice on a school-wide level, this seemed medieval. How could someone just assign you a partner for the rest of your life? “I didn’t realize… My parents didn’t explain any of this to me.”

“I tell you now so you’ll understand. Use your time here wisely. Network with your peers, cooperate with the Directorate, follow their rules, and your business could flourish. You can live a prosperous life.”

There was something he wasn’t saying. It came to her like a blow to the head. She sat stunned for a moment.

“You don’t think the Directorate will allow me to marry.”

“It has already been decided.” He hesitated and then straightened the papers in her folder. “They consider your genes…undesirable.”

Who in the hell was the Directorate to decide anything about her genes? Not that she wanted to get married, but being declared unfit…seriously? She ground her teeth together. There were no words to describe how screwed up this system was. At least none she could say in front of a teacher.

He glanced up at her. “I am sorry. There have been other cases where petitions were denied. Those people went on to lead productive lives.” He sighed. “I’m supposed to talk to you about what classes you’ll take this semester, but sometimes I find there are more important matters to discuss. On to business.” He placed a piece of paper in front of her.

It was a copy of her schedule with the subjects and room numbers.

“If you have any questions, email me.”