Going Down in Flames (Going Down in Flames #1)(68)

Would the Institute have provided someone to watch over her? Maybe. It was nice to know Zavien volunteered. He did care about her. Even if it wasn’t the way she wanted.

“Thanks, for everything.”

He nodded.

Once she was under the covers, she closed her eyes and prayed that she wouldn’t talk in her sleep.





Chapter Twenty-Two


The smell of coffee woke her the next morning.

She rolled over, expecting to find Zavien. The sight of Merrick drinking coffee made her frown.

“That is not a happy face.” Reaching out, he pushed a bedside table on wheels toward her. “Perhaps this will improve your mood.”

A platter of pancakes sat on the table next to a carafe of coffee and a cup. She inhaled the sweet scent of maple syrup. Her stomach rumbled. She reached for the fork and froze.

“Where’d this come from?”

“I drank from the carafe. Since I’m still breathing, we can assume it’s not poisoned.”

“The pancakes?”

“They’re from the dining hall. Zavien brought them on his way to class.” He pulled an envelope from his shirt pocket. “He asked me to give you this.”

Don’t hate me. Merrick was the only trustworthy asshat available. The pancakes are safe. See you soon.

Yours, Zavien

She grinned. Zavien knew she’d be suspicious, so he’d left a note worded in a way to make sure she’d know it was from him. The “yours” part warmed her heart. The fluffy pancakes drenched in syrup and butter helped lessen her irritation with Merrick. Too soon, they were gone.

“Would you like me to send for a second helping?” Merrick teased.

“I eat a lot. Under normal circumstances, I’d flip you off for making that comment. Today you’re in luck because I’m on my best behavior.”

He laughed. It was a warm, rich sound. Maybe he wasn’t such a bad person after all. If Zavien trusted him, maybe she should, too. As long as he didn’t pull any of that creepy benefactor crap. For now she’d give him the benefit of the doubt and reserve the right to blast him with a fireball later if he ticked her off.

“How’d you end up on babysitting duty?”

He poured more coffee for himself and topped off her cup. “I took care of some Directorate business this morning and then came to check on you. Zavien asked if I’d stay until you woke. He didn’t want to leave you alone, but he needed to attend class.”

“Thanks for helping.” She finished her pancakes and frowned at the empty plate.

“Zavien must know about your appetite.” Merrick passed her a Styrofoam box. Inside, she found four blueberry muffins. She took one and then held the container toward Merrick.

“Want one?”

He picked a muffin from the box. “You just want to make sure they aren’t poisoned.”

“You figured it out.” She grinned, broke off a piece of muffin, and dipped it in the maple syrup on her plate.

He looked at her like she’d licked the floor. “What are you doing?”

“Don’t you like blueberry pancakes?”

“A muffin isn’t a pancake.”

“It’s close enough.” Once she’d eaten her fill, she wasn’t sure how to proceed. “Do I need to see Medic Williams before I leave?”

Merrick pointed at the call button. “Ask and find out.”

Feeling stupid, she pushed the button.

“Bryn, is everything all right?” The medic’s voice sounded concerned.

“Yes. I wanted to know when I could leave.”

“I need to do one last checkup. I’ll be there in about thirty minutes.”

“All right.” Bryn climbed out of bed. “I’m going to clean up. You don’t have to wait for me.”

“I told Zavien I’d escort you to your room, and I am a man of my word.” Merrick pulled an attaché case onto his lap and leafed through a file.

“I won’t be long.”

In the bathroom, she pulled the jeans and T-shirt from the overnight bag. They were beyond wrinkled. Why hadn’t she hung them up last night? There wasn’t anything she could do about it now.

Merrick glanced at her when she emerged from the bathroom. “You can’t go out in that.”

While she realized her clothes weren’t in the best shape, she didn’t appreciate his tone. “I can go out however I like.”

“That outfit doesn’t send the correct message.”

The fact that he was right irked her. “It’s all I have.”

He pulled out his cell phone and dialed. “Celia, it’s Merrick.”

She didn’t hear the rest of his conversation because Medic Williams came in.

“I need to scan your bones and make sure they’re fused together.”

Bryn expected to be taken to an X-ray machine.

“Stand still. You’re going to feel a warm sensation. Let me know if it’s uncomfortable.”

Medic Williams placed a hand on Bryn’s forehead. Heat coursed through her skin and flowed down her face and neck. It felt like someone was pouring warm honey over her body. When the warmth hit her forearm, she was aware of the location of the fracture. The heat seemed to zone in on that spot and spread inside her bone.