Going Down in Flames (Going Down in Flames #1)(87)

Maybe she could have stopped the growl that escaped her throat, but she didn’t bother trying. The sound echoed off the marble floors and granite walls of the foyer. In the hall beyond, the only sound she heard was the staccato beat of her heels on the marble floor. Maybe the downside to living in a castle was the noise.

Alcoves holding works of art lined the hallway walls. Some contained portraits. Pictures of her mother were nowhere to be seen.

They passed several rooms with closed doors. When they reached the fifth door on the right, a man stopped them. “We’ve prepared a room for the witnesses.”

Bryn stepped through the door and into an amazing library. Floor to ceiling bookshelves lined the walls. A black leather couch and matching wingback chairs faced a fireplace on the left wall. Farther into the space sat a rectangular table surrounded by high-back wooden chairs. The far end of the table held a large, silver tray. An ice bucket, cans of soda, glasses, and assorted snacks were laid out for them.

Jaxon set his book bag on the table and fixed himself a drink.

Bryn turned to Merrick. “Now what?”

“Make yourself comfortable. Feel free to peruse the library. I’m not sure how far down on the agenda we are. I’ll attend the meeting and check back in an hour. If you need anything, there’s a bellpull in the corner.”

“What’s a bellpull?”

Jaxon snorted. Bryn ignored him and followed Merrick to a navy velvet rope suspended from the ceiling.

“This is how people communicated with servants before intercoms. These ropes were connected to real bells in various locations. Your grandfather insists the estate resist modernization as much as possible. Now the rope is attached to a switch, which sends an electronic signal to a switchboard in the kitchen.”

He pointed at a door partially hidden by a large potted plant. “That door leads to the restroom. Do either of you have any questions?”

Jaxon shook his head.

“Will anyone be joining us?” If a stranger stopped by, she wanted to know if she should roast him or introduce herself.

“The man at the door has instructions about who to let in. Only relatives are allowed.”

“I don’t find that comforting.” Bryn trudged over to the table and took a seat opposite Jaxon. Zavien’s bag of snacks went on a spare chair. As she pulled out her Algebra assignments, she became aware of Jaxon’s stare.

“Can I help you?”

“You can breathe ice.” It wasn’t a question. He’d seen her in the SUV, so there was no point in denying it.

“I can.”

“How can you breathe fire and ice?” He sounded confused and offended.

“My mom’s a Blue. My dad’s a Red. I guess I inherited both breath weapons.”

“Does Mr. Stanton know?” Now that sounded like an accusation.

“I told him the first day. He suggested I work with the element I was most comfortable with. Fire comes first. When I’m upset, I breathe fire.”

“Why’d you hide it?”

She shrugged. “I was enough of a freak already.”

He pursed his lips and went back to his homework.

Bryn stared at the equations on her paper. Her brain felt sluggish. Caffeine might help. Since Jaxon drank a soda and was fine, she figured it was safe. Soda in hand, she settled back into her seat.

“What’s the deal with you and Zavien?” Jaxon asked.

No way was she telling him the truth. Since he was being civil, she’d answer as best she could. “He’s a friend who’s keeping me safe, like Merrick.”

Jaxon’s eyes narrowed. “What happened between you and my uncle in the art store?”

“No comment.”

“He has a villa in Tuscany.”

“How nice for him,” she bit out.

He picked up his pencil, tapped it on the table, and stared.

“You can tap that pencil until your hand falls off. I’m not discussing Italy with you.”

“Fine. Why’d you hide your identity?”

She blinked. “What are you talking about?”

“My father said you had strawberry blond hair.”

He didn’t need to know about her use of Quintessence. “I colored my hair before I came to school. I wanted a change.”

Hoping the interrogation was over, she went back to her equations.

The door to the library opened. Ferrin entered. Great. Just who she wanted to see.

Jaxon stood to greet his father. Weird.

Ferrin stopped a few feet from his son. “I find you in strange company. Explain yourself.”

“Merrick asked if I’d bear witness. He explained the Directorate would question Bryn’s credibility due to her mother’s reputation. It was the honorable thing to do. I’ll benefit from today’s actions as well. Half the campus thinks I was behind the attack. This proves otherwise.”

So that was why he’d agreed to do this. She should have known it wasn’t out of the goodness of his heart.

“It’s a bold move,” Ferrin stated. “You’ll clear suspicion and honor the family name.”

“Thank you, Father.” Jaxon’s posture relaxed.

Ferrin turned to her. “What do you think of your grandparents’ home?”

She sensed an attack, but didn’t know how to avoid it. “This place reminds me of a museum. It’s full of beautiful things, but there’s no warmth.”