Trial By Fire (Going Down in Flames #3)(37)

“Then you know to stay away from them.” He turned his attention to Valmont. “Be wary.”

And then Jaxon melted back into the crowd.

“What was that about?” Valmont asked.

The official Directorate-sanctioned story had stated Alec had suffered an aneurysm while addressing the Directorate. Bryn and Medic Williams had tried to save him but failed. A far cry from the truth that Bryn had fought Alec while saving Jaxon and his mother, before Zavien had finished Alec off. What could she tell Valmont? She didn’t want to lie to him.

“I’ll fill you in later when we’re alone. The gist of the story is those dragons are not to be trusted.”

He nodded and stepped between her and the wild dragons who were coming their way. Not everyone seemed as creeped out as Jaxon had been. Something about the newcomers, the feral look in their eyes and the almost feline grace with which they moved, signaled they were different. The faded low-slung jeans and black T-shirts they wore made them look like a rock band. Around her, the other students acted in one of two ways. Some avoided the wild dragons, while others were drawn to them. The avoidance plan fit her fine.

The booth for the Snack Shack selling caramel corn was at the far end of the field. “Let’s go get some popcorn,” Bryn said.

Valmont followed her lead. Clint and Ivy were already in line at the booth.

“I’ll buy some for all four of us if you’ll go snag a table,” Clint said.

“Good plan.” Valmont put his hand on Bryn’s lower back and steered her to one of the picnic shelters with the protective metal roofs.

The sweet scent of the caramel corn made Bryn’s stomach growl.

“Does Clint know you’ll need your own extra-large bag?” Valmont asked.

She laughed. “He should know me well enough by now.”

“Time for caramel corn.” Ivy plopped down next to Bryn.

Clint set a large container of popcorn between Valmont and Bryn.

She inhaled the sweet, salty scent. “They should make that into perfume.”

“I’m surprised they don’t have it at that smelly lotion store you girls go to,” Clint said.

“It’s called Bath and Beauty,” Ivy said.

“Nope. It’s now officially called the Smelly Lotion store.” Clint grabbed a handful of popcorn and shoved the entire thing into his mouth.

Ivy pretended not to see him. Instead, she took a piece of popcorn, tossed it up into the air, and caught it in her mouth.

Valmont threw two pieces of popcorn in the air and caught both of them in his mouth.

“It’s on.” Ivy threw three pieces of popcorn and managed to catch all of them.

Valmont pointed at Bryn. “Do you want to play?”

“You’re asking me if I want to do something which might result in me not eating food.” She arched a brow at him. “I’m pretty sure you know the answer to that question.”

Ivy and Valmont battled it out, until he tried to catch five pieces but one bounced off his nose.

Ivy threw her arms into the air. “I am the grand national popcorn catching champion.”

“We should have that printed up on a T-shirt,” Clint said.

For the rest of the afternoon, Bryn relaxed and enjoyed shopping with Valmont and her friends. She kept an eye out for anyone who might be a hybrid, although she had no idea how she’d recognize them. When it was time to close up the booths, she spotted Rhianna and Jaxon in a heated debate.

“Uh-oh.” She pointed at the blond couple. “What do you think that’s about?”

“Rhianna can hold her own with him,” Valmont said. “But if you’d like me to go over there and stick my nose in where it doesn’t belong, I’d be happy to do that, too.”

“Since he doesn’t love you, how about I stick my nose in and you play back-up,” Bryn said.

“It’s not like he loves you, either,” Valmont said.

“I’m siding with Bryn on this one,” Clint said. “On a scale of irritated-to-I-want-to-shift-and-bite-someone’s-head-off, Valmont, you rank higher on the scale.”

“Do I get a T-shirt for that?” Valmont asked.

“Sure.” Bryn headed over to where Jaxon and Rhianna stood toe-to-toe. Both were red-faced and Jaxon’s jaw muscle was twitching double time.

When she sidled up to Jaxon, he glared at her. “Go away. This doesn’t concern you.”

She ignored him. “Rhianna, are you all right?”

“I’m fine, but he’s delusional.”

Jaxon pointed at a bracelet Rhianna wore. “It’s inappropriate for you to wear a gift from another male.”

“I told you.” Rhianna held out her arm to show off the silver charm bracelet. “Garret said all the injured students are wearing them as a symbol of solidarity. See.” She pointed at the small crystals hanging off of it. “Blue, red, black, green, and orange.”

Laughing would probably result in Jaxon killing someone, but Bryn couldn’t help smiling. “Jaxon, if Garret bought bracelets for everyone, there’s no need to be jealous.”

In slow motion, Jaxon turned and gave Bryn a look that could’ve melted steel. “It’s not about petty jealousy. It’s about loyalty and respect.”

Rhianna’s eyes narrowed. “It’s not like I’m wearing diamonds from another male. It’s a symbol which happens to be a piece of jewelry.”