Going Down in Flames (Going Down in Flames #1)(83)

He turned her away from their friends. “Think of snow. I won’t let them hurt you. I promise I’ll keep you safe.”

It took every ounce of willpower she had to rein in her fire. Think cold. Think ice. Think snow. After a few minutes, the sparks changed to sleet. There. At least she wouldn’t burn the room down.

“Call Merrick,” Mr. Stanton said in a tight voice.

Anger and panic gnawed at her gut. She focused on the cold and listened to Zavien making soothing sounds while he rubbed his hand up and down her back. When the sleet changed to frost, she rested her forehead against Zavien’s chest. His warm scent helped her relax. She counted the times his chest rose and fell. After ten exhalations, she raised her head.

“We need to find these bastards before they come after me again.”

“Agreed.” He pulled her toward the couch. “Let’s sit.”

A breeze brushed across Bryn’s face. She noticed Mr. Stanton holding the ball of wind suspended in midair. “How long can you keep that up?”

“I can maintain the containment field indefinitely.” He moved across the room, taking the ball of wind with him, and sat at the desk.

Bryn leaned against Zavien so his thigh pressed against hers and his arm draped around her lower back. She tried to figure out who could have left the card. “Are there cameras in the hallways?”

Mr. Stanton shook his head. “The Institute has always been a safe haven. We’ve never had the need for security.”

“What about the Red dragons who guard the gates?” Bryn asked.

“They let students know we’re keeping track of their comings and goings. It’s a formality.”

“Could you post one of them outside Bryn’s room?” Clint asked.

Zavien shook his head. “Bad idea. We don’t know who we can trust.”

“Blues are the most likely suspects,” Bryn said.

“Merrick is a Blue, and he’s helping you,” Mr. Stanton reminded her.

“You’re right. I shouldn’t lump all the Blues together. Even though Jaxon is a pain in the ass, I don’t think he wants me dead.”

“His father might,” Zavien said in a quiet voice.

“Now that I could believe.”

A sharp rap sounded on the door. Clint opened the door, and Merrick stalked into the room. He didn’t bother with pleasantries. Zeroing in on the card, he produced a film of ice on his hands and reached into the containment field. A low growl came from his throat as he inspected the card and photo.

“Did anyone see who left this?”

“I saw it slide under the door,” Clint said. “By the time I opened the door, no one was there.”

Merrick retrieved a clear plastic bag from his pocket and opened it. “Shrink your field and place the items in the bag. I’ll have them checked for fingerprints.”

The containment field shrunk so that Mr. Stanton could move the card, photo, and envelope into the bag. Bryn’s ears popped as the air pressure in the room changed.

Merrick sealed the bag and returned it to his jacket pocket. “I believe it is time for us to go before the Directorate.”

Hell no. That was the last thing she wanted to do. “Can’t you speak to them for me?”

“They need to meet you. Right now, you’re an abstract idea. We need to present you as flesh and blood.”

“Won’t that be like walking in front of a firing squad?” Then again, a firing squad might be more fun.

“If you keep your temper in check, you’ll be treated with cold civility.” Merrick smirked. “Ferrin may be the one exception. He’s still upset about your mother’s defection.”

“Really? I never would’ve known.” She should feel bad about her sarcastic tone, but she didn’t. “Why hasn’t he moved on? It’s not like he was denied marriage. He has a wife and son.”

Merrick sat at the empty desk. “The son is fine. The wife isn’t the one he was promised.”

His casual attitude about Ferrin set her off. “If he wasn’t such an evil bastard, she wouldn’t have run away.”

Merrick made a noise of disapproval. “You lost control within two minutes. The Directorate will eat you alive if you don’t learn to suppress your emotions.”

“Normal, healthy individuals express their emotions.” Bryn took a deep breath and blew it out. “I can’t believe you set me up like that.”

“Maybe I should invite Jaxon over to visit. You could practice trading insults and keeping your temper in check,” Merrick said.

She turned to Zavien. “Tell me he’s joking.”

“If you locked Bryn and your nephew in a room, I bet she’d be the one to come out alive,” Zavien said.

Bryn clenched her fists as her brain screamed betrayal. “Jaxon is your nephew?”

“He is. You should know he was disturbed by what he witnessed in the medical ward. While he shares his father’s hatred, he’d never act on it in that manner.”

Clint cleared his throat. “If Jaxon is your nephew, then you must be good friends with Ferrin.” The words sounded like an accusation.

“Ferrin is my brother-in-law and a respected colleague.”

“I can’t believe this.” Bryn jumped to her feet. “Why should I trust you?”