Going Down in Flames (Going Down in Flames #1)(27)

The blonde turned to speak. When she saw Bryn, the corners of her mouth turned up. “I shouldn’t speak to you. He wouldn’t like that, either.”

The idea of someone bossing around the soft-spoken girl ticked her off. Time to stick her nose in where it didn’t belong. “Did you ever think your boyfriend might have control issues?”

The girl studied her. “You’re concerned for me.”

“It’s none of my business, but if you want green apple shower gel, you should be able to have it.”

“Maybe you’re right.”

“Rhianna,” a masculine voice called from across the store.

“I should go.” The girl snatched a bottle of shower gel from the shelf and placed it in her basket. “You’re nice. I’m sorry if the Blues are mean to you.”

Not all the Blues resented her. Good to know.

By the time Bryn’s basket was full, she had trial packs containing mini-sized shampoos, conditioners, lotions, and shower gels of cinnamon buns, tangerine grapefruit, peppermint, and lemon meringue pie. After checking out, she spotted Ivy holding two large bags filled to capacity. “What did you buy?”

“My dad said he’d monitor my spending the first month and add the same amount to my account every month afterward. Figured I’d start out with a bang.”

Bryn stepped out of the shop and held the door for Ivy. As she released the door, someone bumped her. She jolted forward, and the peppermint-scented bath kit fell out of her bag and rolled a few feet before someone accidentally kicked it into the street.

A blond man in front of her ducked to retrieve the package. When he turned to hand her the box, she was shocked to come face-to-face with Jaxon Westgate.

The expression of disgust he wore told her he never would have helped if he’d known it was her. Steeling herself for a verbal attack, she held out her hand. “Thank you?”

He stood frozen.

The blond girl from the store stood next to him. A smile played across her lips. “Be the gentleman your mother raised you to be, Jaxon. Give her the package.”

In a stiff gesture, he thrust the package at Bryn.

“Thanks.” She placed it in her bag.

He gave a curt nod and stalked off.

“That was interesting,” Bryn muttered to Ivy as they continued walking to meet up with the guys.

Ivy snorted. “Blues would rather be accused of murder than of having bad manners.”

Good to know that if he murdered her, he’d do it politely.

Zavien and Clint stood on the sidewalk outside the computer store.

“I need to take Bryn to All That Sparkles,” Zavien said. “Why don’t we split up and meet for caramel corn in half an hour?”

“Sounds good.” Clint picked up Ivy’s bags, and they headed down the street.

Bryn followed Zavien through the crowd until they reached the jewelry store. From the outside, it looked like all the other Stepford storefronts. Inside, silver and gold trees decorated the walls. At the end of each branch, a piece of jewelry was attached to a green velvet leaf.

Bryn turned in a circle, admiring the jewelry-laden trees. “This place is fantastic.”

“Thank you. I designed the decor myself.” A dark-haired woman in a purple dress held out her hand. “My name is Talia, and this is my store. How can I help you?”

“I received a charm as a gift, and I hoped you could tell me something about it.”

Bryn pulled on the chain around her neck. The key left a trail of warmth as it slid along her skin. She held it out for Talia to inspect.

“It resembles the keys from our legends line. May I take a closer look?”

“Can you see it if I leave it on?” Taking it off would give her that nervous, sick feeling.

“Come over to my desk.”

She followed Talia to a counter in the back of the store where the woman used a lighted magnifying glass to study the pendant. “This is old. It didn’t come from my store. Can you feel the charm it carries?”

Time to confess. “That’s why I didn’t want to take it off. When I’m separated from it, I feel nervous.”

“The key is old, but the charm is new. Were you the first to touch it?”

She thought back to the scene on the roof. She’d been the one to remove the key from the box. “Yes.”

“Then the key is attuned to you. It has a powerful protection charm.” Talia frowned. “It also has an anxiety charm, to make sure you keep it close. Someone wants to keep you safe. Which leads me to ask, why would someone wish you harm?”

After tucking the key in her blouse, Bryn held out her hand. “We weren’t properly introduced. My name is Bryn McKenna.”

Talia’s eyes grew wide. “You’re the crossbreed. I didn’t believe you existed.”

“I do.”

The woman threw her head back and laughed.

Was this a good reaction or a sign of mania? Unsure, Bryn backed up a step.

“I find this situation delicious. I’m sure the Directorate is in a snit.”

“You’re not a fan?”

“No, I’m not, but now isn’t the time for my story.” She retrieved a closed sign from her desk and hung it in the window. “There’s more you should know about the key.”