Trial By Fire (Going Down in Flames #3)(33)

“No.” Bryn went over to the art displayed on the shelves by the library table and grabbed a small hinged box made of black and white marble. “Maybe the books can be placed together to form a cube.”

Ivy shook her head. “A cube has six square sides. Open like this, the books are rectangles.”

Miss Enid’s warning flashed in Bryn’s mind. “These are old, we need to handle them carefully.”

“So we shouldn’t duct tape them together to make a pirate chest?” Clint pretended to be serious.

“Probably not.” Valmont hopped down off the couch and picked up book one and book two, fitting the covers together like different sides of a box. “If we’re on the right track we should be able to see something when we fit these together the right way.”

“But if it’s a three-dimensional object, it can’t be a map,” Ivy said. “You’d never see all the sides at once.”

Clint rubbed his temples. “This is giving me a brain cramp.”





Chapter Eleven


Skipping two days of classes seemed to have multiple consequences, like extra homework and people staring at her like they had when she’d first come to school. She hadn’t missed that level of scrutiny and wasn’t happy to have it back.

“What is everyone’s problem?” Bryn asked as she walked on the treadmill in Basic Movement.

Valmont ran on the treadmill next to her, not breaking a sweat. “We are a curiosity.”

“I wish we could fly today.” Something inside of her ached to shift and take flight, but Mrs. Anderson refused to let her fly until she had clearance from a medic.

“After classes today, why don’t we find Medic Williams and ask her for a note, so you’ll be able to fly tomorrow.”

“Or we could go flying tonight.” Bryn increased the speed on her treadmill to a jog.

“Sorry, I’m siding with the authorities on this. If you need more time to recover, then that’s what you’ll have.”

She glared at him.

“That look doesn’t work on me.” He grinned. Then the corners of his mouth turned down.

“What?” Bryn checked the area for whatever had made him frown. Jaxon stalked in their direction. Great.

When he reached her, he smacked the button to turn off her treadmill. “You need to joust or do something to show everyone you aren’t weak.”

Valmont turned his treadmill off and moved to stand at Bryn’s side. “You need to work on your manners.”

Jaxon didn’t even acknowledge Valmont. “I’m trying to help you.”

“Why?” It was a serious question.

“Because I don’t like being associated with anyone who is weak,” Jaxon snapped.

Now she understood. “You went from caring and concerned to a self-centered asshat in one sentence.”

“You do realize your opinion of me means nothing.” Jaxon stepped closer. “Go do something to prove you’re not spineless.”

He’d crossed a line. “I could start by blasting you across the room.”

“You could try,” Jaxon said. “But you wouldn’t succeed.”

The desire to shoot a fireball at his head had flames crawling up the back of her throat.

Valmont put his arm around her shoulders. “He’s an idiot, but he knows how his Clan thinks. Let’s go practice with broad swords.”

“Fine.” Bryn let Valmont guide her toward the lockers where the equipment was kept.

Valmont squeezed her shoulders. “You do realize, when you face off with Jaxon, you won’t be doing it alone.”

She wanted to argue but knew that would hurt his feelings, so she nodded in acknowledgment. Why did it feel like she was lying to him?

Valmont opened several lockers until he found what he wanted. Pulling a set of rapiers from the locker, he frowned. “Are these toothpicks the only blades they have?”

Bryn chuckled. “Jaxon and his friends have trained with those since they were five. I think your broadsword is a much better weapon.”

“Agreed. But for the Bryn-is-still-a-badass show, I guess we’ll use these.”

“I like the sound of that. It would look good on a T-shirt.”

Valmont pointed toward the ring. “After you, Ms. Badass.”

“Does that make you Mr. Badass?” Bryn asked.

He grinned. “I think it does.”

Once in the ring, Bryn faced off with Valmont, which felt weird. “I’m not sure we can—” He came toward her swinging his sword in a wide arc. She blocked it with her sword. “Hey!”

“Showtime.” Valmont’s eyes darted to the side.

A crowd was gathering. Fan-freaking-tastic. Ignoring the crowd, she shoved Valmont’s sword back, forcing him to retreat. He came at her, and she blocked. She swung at him, and he dodged the blow. Faster and faster, they dueled. The sound of wooden sword clacking against wooden sword played out like a song. The fact that she hadn’t been able to touch Valmont with her sword both irritated her and made her proud. Her knight had skills.

His sword whizzed by her shoulder. Too close. She focused on pushing him back. Sweat ran between her shoulder blades. He held his ground, giving little. She raised her sword and brought it down with all her might, he blocked and crack half his sword was gone.