Going Down in Flames (Going Down in Flames #1)(24)

Realizing she’d been dismissed, Bryn left his office. How could a governing body she’d never met have so much control over her life? It was ridiculous. It made no sense. None. She’d never even heard of Ferrin and his evil minions before yesterday. Now he was controlling her future? It was laughable.

She trudged across campus, ignoring the muttered insults and hostile looks. A Blue male coming toward her shifted so he was in her path. She stepped to the side, and he followed suit. When they were a foot apart, she stopped and crossed her arms over her chest. “Can I help you?”

He moved in closer and gave a smile that made her blood run cold. “You won’t survive the semester.”

Heart beating too fast, she worked hard to keep a neutral expression on her face. “Do you make a habit of bullying girls? I thought Blues were supposed to be honorable.”

He leaned in closer, so his face was inches from hers. “I’m not bullying you. I’m stating a fact.”

Sweat slicked her palms as this interaction reached a new level of crazy. “Thanks for the heads up.” She stepped to the side, hoping he wouldn’t follow. He didn’t, so she resumed walking toward her dorm.

When she reached her room, she stripped off her clothes and climbed into the shower.

Hot water streamed over tense muscles, and angry tears flowed down her face. Okay. One problem at a time. She might have to stay here and go to school. She might not date much, or at all, but that was okay. Random wack jobs might threaten her, but not everyone hated her. Clint and Ivy were nice.

While these thoughts were reassuring, she couldn’t get past the gut-wrenching anger over being controlled by the Directorate. Her life had turned into one of those dream scenes where everything that could go wrong, did. And yet, she wasn’t waking up.

The not-good-enough-to-date-or-be-betrothed part stung. Betrothed? What a stupid, out-of-date word. It sounded like something people would say when they were trying to appear sophisticated, but weren’t. And who thought about this crap at sixteen? When it came to life plans, she intended to graduate high school, get whatever degree took the least amount of time, and then get the hell away from these psycho, controlling Directorate members and live a normal life back in the real world, if they would let her. They didn’t own her or anything, right? Once she did her time at the Institute, they’d have to let her go, wouldn’t they?

Damn it. She needed answers or reassurances or something, and she had none. Where did that leave her?

Apparently, it left her angry and crying in the shower.

Her mind flashed to her parents, and her anger shifted. Why the hell hadn’t they told her about any of this? How was she supposed to fight an entity she knew nothing about? Maybe if they’d taught her about dragon society, all this information wouldn’t have knocked her on her ass. How was she supposed to get through this when she didn’t know any of the crazy rules?

A knock on the bathroom door made her jump. “Who is it?”

“It’s Zavien. I brought Clint and Ivy with me.”

And there was her life raft. “I’ll be out in a minute.”

After dressing in yoga pants and a tank top, she towel dried her hair and checked the mirror. Bloodshot eyes and a red nose reflected back at her. Not a pretty picture. Hoping for the best, she splashed cold water on her face and wandered into the living room.

Zavien opened his mouth to speak, and then frowned. “What happened?”

The cold water must not have done much good. Bryn threw herself on to the couch next to him. Which part of my-life-sucks should she start with?

“I spoke to Mr. Stanton.” A bitter taste filled her mouth. “He said it was a good thing I wanted to start my own business, because the Directorate thinks my genes are defective and won’t allow me to marry.”

Ivy sucked in a breath. “Seriously?”

Bryn crossed her arms over her chest and nodded.

“Now do you understand why we need your help?” Zavien said. “When it comes to the Directorate, you have as much to gain or lose as the rest of us.”

“Why hasn’t anyone fought the Directorate? You can’t tell me everyone is happy with this arranged marriage crap. What about love?”

“Love and marriage don’t always go together,” Clint said. “Most of us have heard that adage since we were kids. If people don’t find love in marriage, there are other options.”

“What the hell does that mean?” Bryn snapped.

“It’s not uncommon for couples to drift apart once children are born,” Zavien said. “The wife occupies herself with the kids, while the husband golfs or pursues…other interests.”

“You mean they have affairs?” She waited for him to contradict her. He didn’t. Her head started to pound. “You’re all mental. How can the Directorate force people to marry and then sanction affairs?”

“It’s not that simple.” Clint glanced sideways at Ivy. “People marry because of bloodlines. I intend to petition for Ivy. The Directorate might deny us, but that doesn’t mean I’d stop loving her.”

Maybe a female would have a more rational perspective. “Ivy?”

Ivy sighed. “Whoever I end up with, I’ll make the best of it. My parents barely knew each other before they were engaged. They’re happy. They love each other. If the rumors are true, it’s mostly the upper class who makes a hobby of straying.”