Trial By Fire (Going Down in Flames #3)(82)

Valmont huffed out an irritated sigh.

“Play nice,” Bryn warned.

“We’re missing half a dozen Greens,” Jaxon said by way of greeting. “Where are they?”

“Good question.” It’s not like dragons took sick days.

The sound of the door to the gym opening and slamming shut drew her attention. Garret stalked in looking like he’d had a rough night. “Something’s not right,” Bryn said at the same time Jaxon said, “He’ll know what’s going on.”

Bryn grabbed Jaxon by the bicep. “He looks like crap. How about we go with a soft approach instead of marching over and pummeling him with questions.”

Jaxon’s eyebrows came together in a way, which Bryn knew meant, I-don’t-like-what-you-said-but-now-I-have-to-think-about-it kind of way. “Fine. Go play nice. I’ll wait here.”

“I’m going with you,” Valmont said as he joined Bryn and headed toward Garret.

The Green saw their approach and changed course to intercept them. “We have a problem.”

“You’ll have to be more specific,” Valmont said.

Bryn elbowed her knight. “Knock it off. Garret, what’s wrong?”

“The Directorate is out of control. Last night a group of my Clan members and I were studying together in the library. We planned to exit the library half an hour before curfew, which would have given us plenty of time to return to our rooms. Someone ordered us rounded up like cattle. We were taken up to the top floor and questioned.”

“Did they throw you in a study cubicle overnight?” Bryn asked.

Garret’s eyes narrowed. “Yes, and worse than that, they made all the males drink some concoction and badgered us with questions for more than an hour. I don’t know what they expected to find. It was absurd. Once they were done with the interrogation, they stuck us in the study cubicles. They released us about an hour ago and told us to clean up and go to class.”

“I’m sorry. The same thing happened to Clint and Ivy not too long ago, except they were out after curfew.”

“Well, we weren’t.” The air around Bryn seemed to churn as Garret’s anger swelled. He pointed at Jaxon. “His father is to blame.” He stalked toward his target.

Oh, hell.

“Please, let Garret kick his ass,” Valmont whispered to Bryn.

Bryn dashed after Garret. Jaxon would pulverize him. Why did Valmont not realize that?

“He had no idea where your Clan members were, either,” Bryn said as they reached Jaxon. “And I’m sure he wouldn’t approve.”

“Approve of what?” Jaxon asked, projecting cold upper-class snootiness.

“Just listen to him before you start to argue,” Bryn said.

When Jaxon looked at her like he was about to rip into her, she added, “Please.”

Garret repeated his story of unfair detainment and questioning.

Jaxon ran his hand back through his hair. “That makes no sense. At any point, did you speak to or see my father?”

“No, but it was his guards that did this,” Garret seethed.

“Wait a minute. Ferrin actually interviewed Clint and Ivy when they were taken upstairs. Are you saying that didn’t happen?”

“No. It was a bunch of Red Guards who work for the Directorate.” A look of surprise and then fury crossed Garret’s face. “If your father wasn’t involved, then this could have been something else.”

“A plot to turn the Greens, the smartest Clan, against the Directorate,” Jaxon said. “Come with me. We need to make a call.”

Bryn followed him over to Coach Anderson where he requested access to a phone. She led them to her office.

Jaxon dialed and then spoke to his father rapid fire. Bryn couldn’t tell how the conversation was going from Jaxon’s clipped responses. When he hung up, he faced Garret. “On behalf of my father, I apologize for your mistreatment last night. The men who detained you were not acting on Directorate’s orders.”

“How do you know that’s true?” Garret asked.

“The Directorate was in session at Bryn’s grandfather’s house last night, and all members were accounted for since they were voting on several measures.”

Garret growled and papers flew off Coach Anderson’s desk as the air swirled around.

Bryn could tell Jaxon had more to say. “He’s already angry. Tell him the rest of it.”

“The rest of what?” Garret asked.

“Unfortunately, the real Directorate members would like to question you now. They plan to set up a late lunch in one of their private dining rooms. You’ll be excused from classes for the rest of the day.”

“And if I refuse their lunch?” Garret asked.

“I believe you know the answer to that question,” Jaxon said. “Attendance is mandatory.”

“We should go with him,” Bryn said, and then indicated she meant herself, Jaxon, and Valmont.

The look Jaxon leveled at her showed what he thought of the idea.

“Great idea,” Garret said. “Because I’m not going anywhere alone with anyone claiming to represent the Directorate ever again.”

“Fine.” Jaxon grabbed the phone. “I’ll let my father know there will be extra guests.”