Trial By Fire (Going Down in Flames #3)(2)

Rhianna stood on the outskirts of the Blue Clan, clutching a glass of punch. Coming back to school after her injury was one thing. Playing hostess was another. Still, it didn’t hurt to ask.

Bryn approached Rhianna and spoke in a quiet voice. “I have a favor to ask. My grandmother won’t let me sit down unless someone else takes over greeting guests. Do you think you’re up for it?”

“I’m not sure.” She nodded at her classmates. “My reception hasn’t been what I hoped for.”

“Idiots.” Bryn frowned. Where was Jaxon? And then it came to her. “You could ask Jaxon to go with you. He’d be far happier standing up there with you than he was with me.”

“Maybe.” Rhianna caught Jaxon’s gaze and waved.

He said something to the group of males he stood with and came over to hold Rhianna’s hand. “What’s wrong?”

“Bryn needs someone to take over greeting at the door. Would you do it with me?”

“Of course. We should have done it that way in the first place.”

Okay, he was being nice to Rhianna, but did he have to be such a jerk to her? Not wanting to deal with him, Bryn clamped her lips shut and rejoined her friends at their table.

Clint pointed to her hair. “I see you decided to go native.”

She rolled her eyes. “My grandfather interpreted my red, blond, and black-streaked hair as lack of pride in my Blue Clan heritage. So I went blond to appease him.” She reached up to touch the inch-wide red streak by her temple. “He still hates this nod to my father’s Clan, but I refuse to change it.”

“I miss the black stripes.” Ivy said.

“Me, too. But my grandparents took me in, so I’m trying to keep the peace.” With her parents gone, it’s not like she had anywhere else to go. If she alienated her grandfather, she’d be homeless. “Let’s talk about something happier.”

“I got my driver’s license,” Clint said.

“That’s great.” And it gave her an idea. “Maybe you could teach me how to drive.”

Ivy shook her head. “Not a good plan. He drives like a maniac.”

“I do not.” Clint puffed out his chest. “I’m a fabulous driver.”

“You took out the bushes at the end of my driveway, on both sides.” Ivy laughed. “I don’t know who gave him his driver’s test, but they must’ve been caffeine deprived.”

“If I could have your attention.” Mr. Stanton, the Elemental Science teacher and head of the Green Clan stood near the punch bowl holding a microphone. “I’d like to welcome all of you back after the Christmas Holidays. I’m sure the new year will be an exciting time for all of us. The Directorate has taken security measures to protect the campus from any more disturbances.”

Disturbances seemed like an understatement given the severity of the attacks that had occurred on campus before Christmas.

“Please enjoy your friends’ company but remember, classes start bright and early tomorrow. Make sure you rest up this evening.”

“Please.” Clint threw his arm around Ivy’s shoulders. “I’ll be a zombie no matter what tomorrow. We might as well stay up tonight and have fun.”

A growl echoed through the room. Bryn whipped around to see Jaxon facing off with a male from his Clan. “Rhianna does not reflect poorly on our kind.”

The other male narrowed his eyes. “Really? Then why did your father void your marriage contract?”

Uh-oh. Jaxon wouldn’t speak against his father or the Directorate, which left only one option. This was about to get ugly.

The air around Jaxon shimmered as he shifted to dragon form. The other male shifted, but backed up a step. Big mistake. Ceding ground showed weakness. Jaxon lunged, blasting frozen flames and striking out with his talons. The coppery scent of blood filled the air.

Jaxon backed the boy up to the wall and pinned him there with his talons digging into the boy’s neck.

“That’s enough.” An all too familiar voice boomed through the room. Her grandfather, Ephram Sinclair, was here. Great.

Jaxon released the boy’s neck, but didn’t retreat.

“Shift back,” her grandfather ordered. “Now.”

Even though he shifted back to human form, Jaxon never took his gaze from his opponent.

“Jaxon Westgate, what do you have to say for yourself?” her grandfather asked in a voice that rang throughout the room.

“What I have to say, sir, is that the members of my Clan will treat Rhianna with respect.”

“Not just me.” Rhianna stepped forward. “My injury wasn’t my fault. Neither was Garret’s or any of the other students who were injured in the attacks. We have every right to be here. Don’t you agree, Mr. Sinclair?”

Holy crap. Rhianna had just called her grandfather out in front of all these people. Bryn wasn’t sure if she should cheer, or duck and cover.

“You raise an interesting point, young lady. It was brave of you and the other injured students to return to the Institute,” her grandfather said. “I would like to think your classmates would recognize that bravery and treat you accordingly. Now, I believe it’s time for everyone to retire to their dorms.”

The injured Blue slunk away, blending in with the other members of his Clan. How many of them felt Rhianna didn’t belong? Would they act on that feeling? Jaxon couldn’t fight all of them. Then again, if he went all Westgate on them and proved he was the alpha male, he might not have to.