Trial By Fire (Going Down in Flames #3)(51)

Bryn’s grandmother sat sipping coffee she’d brought from Suzettes. “Bryn, I know you probably realize this, but it is of the utmost importance that you are never caught out after curfew. Ferrin would use your arrest to shame your grandfather. The political ramifications would be terrible, and the damage it would do to your standing in our family would be irreconcilable.”

“I understand.” Bryn used her fork to swirl cherry pie goo around on her plate.

“Something else is troubling you,” her grandmother said.

“How did you know?” Bryn asked.

Her grandmother pointed at the four pieces of pie left on the table. “If you were feeling yourself, there would be nothing left but crumbs.”

Valmont chuckled.

Bryn snatched another piece of pie and took a bite. “There is something else, but it’s a suspicion…nothing concrete.” She ducked her head. “I think there might be other, peaceful hybrids at school.”

“Why, exactly, do you believe this?” Her grandmother’s tone was calm but wary.

“It makes sense. If there are crazy hybrids out there attacking the Directorate, then we know there are other hybrids and not all of them have to be violent. Right? My parents weren’t crazy. I have a temper, but I’m not violent, and I don’t have the desire to physically attack the Directorate. I’d be happy to argue a few points with them, but I don’t have the desire to kill anyone because of politics.”

“I suppose there is the chance other non-violent hybrids exist, but you shouldn’t go looking for them. If you found them, you’d be duty-bound to turn them over to your grandfather, and I doubt he’d be inclined to believe they were innocent in the attacks.”

“You’re right.” Bryn finished off her pie. “It would make more sense not to look for anyone, because finding them would only cause more problems.”

Her grandmother reached over and touched Bryn’s arm. “I’m glad you called me. Whenever you have questions, I will always try to help. I may not give you the answers you want, but I can help you avoid conflict with your grandfather.”

Feeling the need to lighten the moment, Bryn said, “Plus, you bring pie.”

Her grandmother laughed. “Yes, I do. Now I better go.”

After a quick hug, Bryn let her grandmother out into the hall and locked the door behind her.

“So what do you think is going on?” Valmont asked.

“I have no idea.” The phone rang, and Bryn grabbed it.

“It’s me,” Ivy’s voice came through the phone sounding happier than she’d been earlier. “Clint says thanks for the pie.”

“Is he acting more normal?” Bryn asked.

“He said he didn’t get much sleep last night because Ferrin questioned him and gave him something to drink that made him fuzzy-headed.”

“So my grandmother was right? Does Clint remember what he told them?”

“Ferrin asked about the attack on Dragon’s Bluff and about who you’re friends with. Then the asshat talked about what a shame it would be if he had to void our marriage contract.”

Fire banked in Bryn’s gut. “What?”

Ivy growled. “That’s why Clint was acting so weird today. He was worried they might be keeping tabs on us.”

“What about the not touching you part?” Because that still seemed weird.

“Apparently, Ferrin lectured him on proper behavior in public,” Ivy said, “and the Directorate frowns on public displays of affection.”

Seriously? “Is Clint acting normal now?”

“Mostly,” Ivy sighed. “I think they threatened him with more than he’s admitting, because he’s acting like he’s afraid to tell me too much.”

Bryn heard a voice in the background. “Hold on. He wants to talk to you.”

“I know there’s something not right with me today,” Clint spoke in a low, even tone. “It feels like I’m sleepwalking and looking over my shoulder at the same time. All the smart-ass comments that normally play on a loop in my head are gone. Whatever was in that crap they gave me to drink…it has to wear off, right?”

“Yes.” God, she hoped so. “Do you want to go see a medic? Or I could try to scan you with Quintessence.”

“No.” Clint yawned. “I’m exhausted. All I want to do is sleep. If I’m still not myself tomorrow, maybe then you can scan me.”





Chapter Sixteen


The next morning, at breakfast in the dining hall, Clint appeared mostly back to normal.

“Feeling better?” Bryn asked as she poured syrup onto a giant stack of pancakes.

He nodded. “The smart-ass comments are back, but I have no desire to share them, which is weird.”

Ivy reached over and brushed her fingers through part of Clint’s Mohawk. “He’s much better today.”

“You thought I was a pod-person yesterday,” Clint teased.

“You scared the crap out of me,” Ivy shot back.

“Maybe,” Valmont said, “that was the point.”

Syrup dripped off Bryn’s fork onto her blouse. “What do you mean?”

Valmont cleared his throat and spoke in a quiet voice. “Maybe they wanted you to see what you had to lose if you didn’t obey their laws.”