Going Down in Flames (Going Down in Flames #1)(90)

It dawned on her that someone had tried to kill her again. “Damn it, Merrick. You said I’d be safe.”

“I never dreamed someone could infiltrate your grandfather’s estate. It’s a relief to see you’re angry. It means you’re feeling better.”

“Was anyone else hurt?” she asked.

“Jaxon and I suffered minor abrasions. You took the brunt of the blast.”

The medics’ hands moved over her body. Someone pressed on her left leg, and razor-sharp pain radiated up her thigh. She sucked in a breath and indulged in profanity.

“Sorry,” the medic said. “I thought we fixed that fracture.” Heat flowed into her leg, and the pain lessened.

Panic scratched at her brain. How many fractures were there if they couldn’t keep track of them?

“Bryn, this is Medic Williams. I want you to do something for me. Concentrate on sending Quintessence through your body. Tell me where you feel areas we’ve healed and if we missed anything.”

“Okay.”

She tried to focus her life force. Nothing happened. That was bad. She tried again. Her body seemed to respond in slow motion. She couldn’t corral her Quintessence like she normally could. What did that mean? Her heart rate doubled. That wouldn’t help. Now wasn’t the time to freak out. She could do this. After a few cleansing breaths, she visualized a small sun the size of a ping pong ball, glowing in her chest. With a little more effort, she increased it to the size of a tennis ball. There. That would do. She moved it to detect where the medics had healed.

“The skin on my face is tender.”

“You suffered abrasions from fragments of the door,” Medic Williams said.

She already knew about her ears, so she didn’t bother mentioning them. Healed cuts were scattered across her head and neck. Some were deep.

“What happened to my neck?”

“A large sliver of wood nearly sliced your carotid artery. If your necklace hadn’t shifted and deflected the missile, you could have bled out.”

“Where is the necklace?” The uneasy feeling she associated with being separated from the key was absent. Had she used up the charm?

“We cut it off to treat you.”

“I have it,” Merrick assured her.

“Bryn, please continue scanning your body.”

She tapped into her body’s energy and moved to her stomach, but detected nothing. At hip level, she made a frightening discovery. “My pelvis has been repaired.”

Pushing the ball of light farther told her both legs had been treated. “I fractured my pelvis and both legs.” Her voice shook.

“We’ve healed you, but you need to rest.” Medic Williams yawned.

“Sounds familiar.” Bryn tried to make light of the situation, but it was all too much. She blinked rapidly to hold back the tears, and her vision cleared. The gel must’ve finished healing her eyes, because she could see again. Merrick sat next to her. His shirt was torn and bloodied, and his face showed recently healed areas, which were bright pink.

“If you look like that, how bad am I?”

“It looks like you’ve laid out in the sun far too long,” Merrick said.

“I never lay out in the sun. I turn into one giant freckle.”

“That would be from your father’s genes,” a male voice said.

Bryn’s grandfather stood like a storm cloud by the door. Her heart beat double time as he assessed her with his piercing blue gaze. He appeared to be waiting for some sort of reaction.

“You’re right, it is.”

The intimidating man harrumphed and moved closer. “Did your father teach you how to stand up for yourself?”

“He did, but I can’t fight this battle on my own. Will you help?”

There was a twinkle in his eye as he spoke. “Ferrin thinks you staged the explosion to gain the Directorate’s sympathy.”

“He’s insane. Will the Directorate listen to him, or will they help me?”

“Someone attacked you under my roof. I never believed anyone would have the gall to attack one of my guests, much less my granddaughter. Directorate be damned, I’ll help you.”

The world seemed like a brighter place. He’d acknowledged her, and he planned to help. Relief washed over her like a cool breeze. “Thank you.”

He nodded. “I’ll go break the news to Ferrin. You’ll probably hear the screaming all the way up here.”

Bryn chuckled.

Merrick patted her hand. “If anyone can take on Ferrin, it’s your grandfather.”

For the first time, she noticed her surroundings. The cherrywood sleigh bed she lay on was covered with green bedding. Three medics worked on her. Merrick sat by her side in a wing-backed chair.

“Where’s Jaxon?”

“He’s next door with Lillith. We’re in guest rooms of your grandfather’s wing.”

“Has my grandmother stopped by?” She shouldn’t be greedy. It was a miracle her grandfather had spoken to her.

“I believe she’s on a mission to find you suitable clothing.”

And that was when she came to the disturbing realization that she was naked under the green sheet. At least the medics didn’t have to move the sheet to work on her. Being treated with Quintessence had its advantages.