Going Down in Flames (Going Down in Flames #1)(38)

“She told the class crossbreeding couldn’t produce a functional dragon. I was good. I knew she was goading me, so I let it go. Clint spoke up, and she gave him detention. Then Jaxon insulted my mother in front of the entire class.”

“And what did you do?”

“I shot a fireball at the pompous ass and knocked him out of his chair.” A small thrill of satisfaction shot through her system as she remembered the expression of surprised terror on Jaxon’s face.

One corner of Mr. Stanton’s mouth curved up before he gave an exaggerated frown. “We don’t tolerate that sort of behavior. That’s one of the reasons you’re here.”

Her neck muscles tensed, and her face grew hot. “Mrs. Hanfelder called my mother a disgrace and said I was an abomination. What was I supposed to do, just sit there?”

“Next time, you should ask to be excused.”

Bryn shot to her feet. “She’s a teacher. She isn’t supposed to attack students.”

“Let me explain the facts of life to you. She is a person with power. You have none. Come to me next time this happens, and I’ll help you. If you go this route again, your time here will be quite unpleasant.”

“It’s been a bed of freaking roses up till now.”

“Bryn.” His voice carried a serious warning.

She sank back into her seat. “Fine. What happens now?”

“I’ll find someone to tutor you in History. You won’t set foot in Mrs. Hanfelder’s class again.” He pointed a finger at her in warning. “Don’t you dare smile. This is an added complication I don’t need.”

He seemed genuinely peeved. While she didn’t want to add to his work, being banished from Mrs. Hanfelder’s class was a gift. “I know something that might make you smile. Watch my fingernails.” She placed her right hand on his desk, concentrated, and turned her fingernails green.

He blinked. “How?”

“I don’t know. I can change my coloring in dragon form, too. That’s how I figured it out.”

Mr. Stanton shook his head. “You didn’t use an emissary.”

“I focus my life force, and my coloring changes.”

“Who taught you?”

“My mom taught me how to focus my life force in yoga. I’m good at visualizing.”

“Amazing.” He grinned. “Any other powers I should know about?”

“Not that I’m aware of.”

Mr. Stanton stood, signaling their meeting was over. “You’d best go to lunch. Since you missed Basic Movement, I’ll email your teacher to explain the absence. Try to appear contrite when you walk into the dining hall. Otherwise, Mrs. Hanfelder will say I wasn’t hard enough on you.”

“I can do that.” Bryn grabbed her book bag and headed for lunch. On the walk, she changed her nails back to their original red.

Keeping her head down, she entered the dining hall. There was a small line at the buffet. Once her plate was full, she scanned the room for Clint and Ivy. Thank God they’d chosen the same seats as at breakfast.

She sat next to Clint. “Sorry you got detention.”

“It was bound to happen. I have the uncanny ability to piss people off.”

“What happened in Stanton’s office?” Ivy asked.

“I’ve been removed from Mrs. Hanfelder’s class. Mr. Stanton is going to find me a tutor.”

“I’m not sure that’s a punishment,” Clint said.

“Mr. Stanton was furious.” Bryn played up his anger in case word got around.

“The look on Jaxon’s face when he threw himself out of the chair was fantastic.” Ivy chuckled. “I think you singed his eyebrows.”

Bryn shoved French fries in her mouth to keep from laughing. When she was under control, she asked the question that had haunted her the entire time she sat outside Stanton’s office.

“What’s everyone saying about me?”

“Don’t you know?” Clint grabbed one of her fries. “You’re the new ‘bad girl’ of the school.”

Laughter bubbled up from her throat.

“We need to start on your tattoos to keep up your image,” Ivy said.

Clint held his thumbs and forefingers like a frame. “I picture barbed wire starting at your ankle and swirling around your leg. That would be sexy.”

Yeah. Right. “All I need now is a motorcycle and leather pants.”

“I doubt your father would approve.” Zavien spoke from behind her. His tone was arctic.

Shit. Taking a deep breath, she turned to face him. “I didn’t start it, and I’ve been yelled at enough today.”

Zavien sat beside her. “Too bad. It’s my turn.”

Clint raised his hand. “You should know she bit her tongue for the first round of insults. I’m the one who charged in and set Hanfelder off.”

Ivy placed her hand on Clint’s shoulder. “For future reference, when I grab you like this, it means keep your mouth shut.”

“Really? I assumed it meant you weren’t able to keep your hands off me.” He pulled her hand to his mouth and kissed her palm. Ivy appeared at a loss for words.

“We need to talk. Follow me.” Zavien picked up Bryn’s tray and walked away.