Going Down in Flames (Going Down in Flames #1)(69)

“Doing all right?” the medic asked.

“This feels bizarre.”

“I’m probing your body to find areas that might still need to be repaired.”

The heat continued down her arms and legs. By the time it reached her feet, she felt claustrophobic.

When the medic removed her hand from Bryn’s forehead, the heat disappeared.

“You’re ready to go. Don’t exert yourself. You’re healed, but it takes time for the bones to fully mend.”

“I plan on hiding in my room.” She turned to Merrick. “I’m ready.”

“You’re not,” he said. “One of my secretaries is flying over a suitable wardrobe. Perhaps Medic Williams can burn that outfit after we leave.”

Just when she was starting to warm up to him. “There is nothing wrong with what I’m wearing.”

A beautiful redhead walked in. “There are many things wrong with what you’re wearing.”

Bryn clenched her fists. “One more insult, and I’ll walk across campus in a hospital gown to spite you both.”

“You need to project a confident image,” Merrick chided. “The individuals who did this need to see a strong young woman, not someone who slept in her clothes.”

“Fine. What do you have?”

Merrick unzipped the hanging bag, pulled out several items, and laid them on the bed. There were three different blouses, a simple, black knee-length skirt, a package of panty hose, and a pair of black heels.

Bryn examined the three blouses and picked the red one with a black pinstripe, because her blue bra with goldfish would show through the other two. Without another word, she retreated to the restroom to change clothes.

When she emerged, Merrick sat reading through a file and Medic Williams was gone. The sound of her heels tapping on the tile caused him to glance up.

“Much better. Now you look like this whole incident was a mild inconvenience.”

She tossed the overnight bag on the bed. “Do you think they’ll try again?”

“If they do, we’ll be ready for them.” He pointed at her ankle bracelet. “What is that?”

Torn, Bryn decided to lay her cards on the table. “Zavien trusts you, but I’m not sure why you’re helping me.”

He chuckled. “Just you asking that question is an example of why I think you’re worth protecting—and helping. Since I work for the Directorate, no one ever questions me. While the Directorate is wise, some of their views are outdated. I’d like to help update some of the laws and modernize their way of thinking. You could be the catalyst for those changes.”

“Ferrin would have a heart attack if he heard you say that.”

“Exactly. Which is why I’d appreciate it if you didn’t repeat this conversation.” He pointed at her ankle. “Back to my question, why are you wearing that?”

“There’s a protection spell on one of the charms.”

“I suggest you wear it as a necklace. It could be too easily lost.”

“I used to keep it in a locket. I should’ve been wearing it when I came in.” Maybe it was in the bag. She unzipped the two outside pockets. The sight of her dragon necklace in a plastic bag brought relief. “Here it is.”

She transferred the key to its former home. The weight of the necklace felt comforting.

“Why don’t you wear the charm by itself? The dragon is tacky.”

“I like the dragon.” Since he hadn’t reacted to the sight of the key, she probably could wear it by itself if she wanted. Good to know.

“We need to work on your taste in jewelry and fashion.” He reached for the overnight bag and pointed to the door. “Shall we?”

When they exited the building, she realized where she’d been this whole time. “The medical offices are in the science building?”

“Green dragons take science courses to become medics. It makes sense.”

“I think I want to become a medic.” The words slipped out.

“That would be one way to take care of yourself. You’d have to petition the Directorate to be allowed into the medical program. I don’t think they’d object.”

Right. “They object to everything about me.”

“They have to come to terms with your existence sooner or later. If you choose a profession which helps other dragons, I think they’d see that in a positive light.”

Bryn came to a dead halt as the repercussions of his statement sunk in. She wanted to do something which had no application in the real world. If she chose to become a medic, she’d have to stay in dragon society.

“Damn it. That wasn’t part of the plan.”

“Did I miss something?”

She shook her head and continued walking. “Sorry. I realized something that made me feel stupid.”

“Care to share?”

“No.”

He didn’t push for information. She was grateful.

Students flooded the sidewalk as the first class of the day ended. Bryn moved in front of Merrick to walk single file. A group of older Blue males walked toward her. The young man in front looked at Bryn like she was something he found on the bottom of his shoe.

“Too bad the poison didn’t do its job.”

Before she could respond, Merrick stepped in the young man’s path. “Apologize.”