Trial By Fire (Going Down in Flames #3)(88)

Ivy laughed. “How could I not notice that?”

They ate and then they danced to a few more songs. All in all it was a nice evening, but Bryn couldn’t relax. “This is fun, but I keep waiting for something bad to happen.”

“I think the trick is to be aware of what is going on around you,” Valmont said, “while you enjoy what you have.”

Why does it sound like he’s talking about more than the dance?

When a song ended, Bryn noticed there seemed to be more guards in the room. “Speaking of being aware of your surroundings, am I imagining it—”

“No.” Valmont straightened and put his hand on his sword. “There are more.”

Bryn spotted Clint and Ivy dancing a dozen feet away. She waited to catch Ivy’s eye and waved her over.

“What’s going on?” Ivy asked.

Valmont pointed at the guards. “Reinforcements have been sent in, but we don’t know why.”

Bryn headed for Miss Enid, who seemed to be chaperoning the dance. “What’s up with the new guards?”

“That is a very good question, Bryn. I have another one I’d like answered. Are they here to keep us in or someone else out?”

“Have you seen anyone leave?” Clint asked.

“No. Let me make a call.” She pulled out her cell and dialed. After putting the phone to her ear, she frowned and dialed again. “That’s strange… I don’t have a signal.”

Valmont’s posture stiffened. “If the cell phones are out, this could be an attack.”

Bryn headed for one of the guards wearing a tuxedo. “Did you call for reinforcements?”

“No.”

“Were they sent because the campus is under attack?”

The guard looked left and then right before leaning down to speak with Bryn. “There was an incident. It could be nothing. We aren’t taking any chances.”

“Does your cell work?” Valmont asked. “Because Miss Enid’s doesn’t.”

The guard pulled his phone from his inside breast pocket and held it to his ear. His eyes narrowed.

“Damn it,” Valmont said. “We need to find a landline to see if they’re still working.”

The guard put his fingers to his lips and whistled. Students turned to see what was going on. The quartet stopped playing. Bryn’s skin tingled with the need to shift.

“This is only a precaution,” the guard bellowed. “Cell phones are out. Please remain calm while we investigate. Do not leave the building.”

“Have I mentioned that I hate dances?” Bryn said to no one in particular.

“It could just be a cell phone thing,” Ivy said. “I bet that guard will come back and tell us everything is fine.”

“I hope you’re right.” Bryn stared out into the darkness. Was something moving outside the main doors?

The guard came back and spoke to Bryn. “The landline is still functional. We are talking to guards outside who are investigating the situation. Everything is under control.”

“Now what?” Bryn asked Valmont.

Valmont pulled her away from the guard. “Either we listen to the guards and wait here like sitting ducks, or we take the fight to them. I can’t believe I’m about to say this, but let’s ask Jaxon what he thinks.”

And the evening kept getting stranger. Clint, Ivy, Bryn, and Valmont crossed the room and headed toward Jaxon.

“We spoke to the guard,” Bryn said, “and—”

“Let me guess,” Jaxon said. “They want us to sit quietly while the adults take care of everything.”

“That plan sucks,” Clint commented.

“Agreed.” Jaxon pointed toward the back of the building. “The safest, most bomb-proof place would probably be downstairs in the kitchen.”

“Unless the building collapses,” Bryn stated the obvious.

“Excuse me.” Rhianna stood and headed for the girls’ restroom.

“Doesn’t that break some form of girl protocol?” Clint asked.

“What do you mean?” Ivy asked.

“I thought girls always had to go to the restroom in pairs,” Clint said, “or small herds.”

“Good point.” Bryn elbowed Jaxon. “Do females in your Clan normally go to the bathroom by themselves?”

“Females in my Clan don’t discuss bodily functions,” Jaxon said.

Bryn rolled her eyes.

“And that’s how Hermione got attacked by a troll,” Valmont said.

“You read Harry Potter?” Bryn couldn’t believe it. “I loved those books.”

“I’ve had a lot of down time lately,” Valmont said, “and Miss Enid recommended them.”

Jaxon frowned. “If you’re done with this ridiculous conversation, can we return to the fact that someone has cut off cell phone access?

Ka-boom. Lightning hit the building, and the power flickered. Ka-boom, ka-boom-boom-boom. The building shook and the power flickered and then blinked out. The only light came from the red and pink heart-shaped candles, which decorated the tables. The effect which moments ago had been romantic was now creepy.

“I don’t suppose there is any chance we’re experiencing an actual thunderstorm.” Clint stood, trying to stare out the windows.