Chapter Fourteen
Suddenly, all the students in the café and lounge started talking at once. Bryn glanced toward the door to see what caused the disturbance.
Valmont strode into the dorm like he belonged there. Light glinted off the broadsword strapped to his thigh. Was it the weapon or his presence in the Black dragons’ dorm that caused everyone’s interest?
When he reached Bryn, he sat and grabbed her hand. “I came to make sure you were all right.”
Damn it. Why couldn’t Zavien act like this? “I’m fine.” Better, now that he was here.
He studied her. “Fine never means fine. What’s up?”
She shrugged.
“If you don’t want to talk about it, I’ll respect your wishes.” He turned to Clint. “What did the spiky-haired nitwit do now?”
“Hey,” Bryn shouted.
“You don’t have to talk about him if you don’t want to,” Valmont said, “but I still want to know. Clint?”
“After the attack, Zavien didn’t bother to check on us or her,” Clint said.
The knight squeezed Bryn’s hand. “Sorry about that.”
“Why are you sorry?”
“It’s my job to protect you. Short of running the idiot through with a sword, I can’t think of a way to help.”
“There are all those nice deep rifts out there,” Ivy muttered. “It would be a shame for them to go to waste.”
Valmont raised a brow.
Bryn chuckled. “Ivy volunteered to help throw Zavien’s body in a rift.”
Valmont tapped his chin like he was thinking. “That’s not a bad idea.”
“Am I the only sane individual left at this table?” Clint asked.
“If Clint won’t let us kill Zavien, I guess we need another plan for the evening,” Bryn said.
“All three of you could come out to my cabin,” Valmont said.
“I doubt we’ll be allowed to leave campus.” Bryn’s stomach growled. Channeling Quintessence must burn calories like crazy. Eating with friends would be nice. “We could order pizza and eat in my room.”
A serious expression crossed Valmont’s face. “First, I have a question you must answer with utmost certainty. What is your stance on anchovies?”
She made a yuck face. “Anchovies are disgusting.”
“Correct answer.”
Twenty minutes later, Bryn sat next to Valmont on her couch while Clint and Ivy sprawled out on the floor. The situation seemed surreal. It was like someone removed Zavien from a photo and Photoshopped Valmont in his place to restore balance to the picture.
“Why are you frowning?” her knight asked.
Bryn grabbed another slice of pizza while she fabricated a response, because he didn’t need to know how strange her brain truly was. “I was wondering who’s behind the attack.”
“Who has the most to gain from upsetting the Directorate?” Valmont asked.
“Someone who wants to start a revolution,” Bryn answered. “I’m not sure who that would be.”
Ivy rearranged the pepperoni on her pizza in a symmetrical pattern. “The radical Revisionist dragons in the forest talked about affecting change. I’m pretty sure that’s code for ‘let’s start a revolution.’”
Pizza sauce dribbled down Bryn’s chin. She wiped it off with a napkin. “I’m not sure how effective the regular Revisionists’ petitions are, but war seems extreme.”
“There isn’t much middle ground with the Directorate. It’s their way or no way,” Valmont said. “Maybe war is inevitable.”
“That’s not a cheery thought.” Ivy moved closer to Clint and leaned against him. He kissed her forehead.
Envy shot through Bryn. Zavien should’ve been here to comfort her.
Warm fingertips brushed against her cheek. “You’re not alone,” Valmont reminded her. He leaned in and whispered, “I can be whatever you want me to be.”
Well, that offer was wide-open to interpretation. He seemed to be waiting for an answer she didn’t have. “Thank you. But right now I’m a mess.”
He grinned and passed her another napkin. “That statement is true in more ways than one.”
She wiped her face. “Better?”
He nodded.
“I’m exhausted.” Ivy yawned.
“Stress wears you out.” Clint eyed the pizza boxes. “One more piece and then we’ll go.”
After Clint and Ivy left, Valmont helped clean the mess from dinner. “Need anything else before I go?”
“No. Thanks for coming to check on me.”
“If I could, I’d camp outside your door just to make sure you were safe.” He sighed. “Knowing you could’ve been hurt eats away at me. And yes, I know it sounds like I’m obsessed, but since I became your knight, you’re my number one focus. I tried asking around for advice, but there hasn’t been a citizen of Dragon’s Bluff who’s stepped forth to protect a dragon in more than a century.”
“Why did you intervene that day?”
He clasped her right hand between his and stared at her like she was the most beautiful creature in the world. “There’s something about you, something special, something worth fighting for.”
Wow. If there ever was a perfect thing for a guy to say, that was it. “Valmont, I—”
“I know you’re working through some issues right now.” He reached out and tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. “I’ll be here when you’ve figured everything out. Then we can continue this conversation.” He leaned in and kissed her on the cheek before he left.
…
In Elemental Science on Monday morning, Bryn found a new seating chart on the board. The assignments seemed random. She was in the third row between Quentin and Ivy.
“Notice who’s missing?” Quentin asked.
After a quick check of the room, she realized the Orange dragons weren’t present.
Mr. Stanton stood and cleared his throat. “After recent events on campus, the Directorate decided to investigate the Orange Clan. Octavius and Vivian will rejoin us once their innocence has been determined.”
“They helped fix the rifts,” Bryn said. “Why would the Directorate think they did it?”
“I believe they are going with the duck theory,” Mr. Stanton replied.
Bryn waited for the punch line. There wasn’t one. “You lost me.”
“The duck theory is simple. If it looks like a duck and walks like a duck, then it’s probably a duck.” Mr. Stanton frowned. “The Directorate is investigating the most obvious suspects first.”
How would they know which Orange dragons attacked the campus? It’s not like ripping open the ground left fingerprints.
“Students, I encourage you not to jump to conclusions. Just because there are a few rogue Orange dragons, that doesn’t mean the entire Clan or your classmates are involved.”
A low rumble broke out in the class as students growled or whispered.
“I assure you the Directorate has everything under control. New security measures have been taken. It’s my duty to inform you that you’ll no longer be able to visit Dragon’s Bluff during the week. On the weekends you’ll be allowed to leave the institute after signing out at the gate.”
More grumbling filled the class as students objected to the restriction.
“I’ve seated you in an alternating pattern. Given the current climate it seems advisable for us to practice deflecting breath weapons. Pair up and then switch partners.”
By the end of class, Bryn felt confident she could defend herself against another student. Fighting off an adult might be another story.
In Basic Movement, she spotted Jaxon and Quentin fighting with swords. “Will you guys come with me to see what they’re doing?” Bryn asked Clint and Ivy.
“Sure.” Ivy grabbed Clint’s hand and pulled him along.
Jaxon and Quentin danced around each other searching for openings. Both moved fluidly and struck with precision. When Jaxon’s sword connected with Quentin’s shoulder, the two blonds stopped to catch their breath. Quentin handed his sword to Jaxon, nodded at Bryn and her friends and climbed out of the ring.
Jaxon offered the weapon to Bryn. “Want to give it try?”
She climbed into the ring and accepted the thin wooden sword. “I’m not sure what I’m supposed to do with this. Valmont’s sword is bigger.”
“No man wants to hear that,” Clint called out.
Bryn snorted with laughter.
“You’ve no class at all,” Jaxon said.
“Class is overrated.” Bryn tested the weight of the sword. “Enlighten me with your superior knowledge.”
“Your knight probably has a broadsword. It’s an unsophisticated weapon meant for hacking away at the enemy.” Jaxon held out his sword. “This is a rapier. It’s a more precise instrument used to stab the opponent.”
Bryn waved the sword in a figure eight.
“No.” Jaxon came to stand by her side. “Watch. You thrust and retreat. The object is to fatally wound your enemy before he stabs you.”
His superior tone annoyed her. “Are you always this obnoxious when you play teacher?”
“Fine. You fight your way. I’ll fight mine.” He returned to his side of the ring. “First to three touches wins?”
Jaxon might beat her, but she wouldn’t back down. “Agreed.”
He came at her with a quick thrust. She swung her sword at his weapon to counter the attack. He closed in on her. She tried to block. He feinted left and then stabbed her right shoulder.
“Damn it.”
He smiled.
She went on the attack and swung at his torso. He blocked her sword with ease and tapped her forearm.
Smoke shot from her nostrils.
Jaxon chuckled.
She narrowed her eyes and lunged at him. Her sword connected with his ribs, giving her a rush of joy.
He went on the attack. His sword was a blur as he stabbed at her. Pain in her ribs told her he’d connected again. She growled in frustration.
He laughed at her.
Aiming for his head, she swung the sword in a wide arc.
Surprised, he blocked the blow and ripped the sword from her hand. “It’s over. You lost. Deal with it.”
Bryn growled. She hated losing, especially to Jaxon.
…
By Friday night at Stagecraft, Bryn had lost patience with Zavien’s duck-and-cover routine. How could she make him talk to her? Sneaking up on him, knocking him unconscious, and tying him to a chair with barbed wire might work. Maybe she’d give it a shot.
Rhianna stood in front of an expanse of canvas with a paintbrush and a can of gray paint.
“What’s the assignment tonight?” Bryn asked.
“We’re supposed to paint smog along the top.” Rhianna demonstrated by painting large gray arcs on the canvas at various angles.
Bryn grabbed a paintbrush and lost herself in the mindless activity.
“Did you love him?” Rhianna asked.
Bryn’s hand froze midarc. “Is it that obvious?”
“No. It took me a while to figure out. Love isn’t common among Blues. That used to make me sad. Now I don’t mind because it looks too painful.”
Zavien’s laugh drifted across the stage. Unable to stop herself, Bryn turned to locate him. He stood near the black wrought iron staircase, which led to the catwalk. When his gaze met hers, he scowled. She refused to look away. He turned from her and climbed the spiral steps.
“Go after him.” Rhianna plucked the paintbrush from Bryn’s hand.
“Valmont told me I should wait and make Zavien come to me.”
“Has that approach yielded any results?”
“No. The coward runs away every time I come near. I spend my days plotting different ways to murder him.”
Rhianna ducked her head. “When Jaxon is obnoxious I fantasize about hitting him with my book bag.”
Bryn chuckled. “I’ve had similar fantasies.”
“No matter how irritating Jaxon is, I know he’d be there for me if I needed him. Can you say the same of Zavien?”
Yes…no…she didn’t know anymore. Maybe Rhianna was right. She groaned in frustration. “Fine. I’ll do it.” She’d climb up on the catwalk to talk to Zavien. At least there he couldn’t run from her. “Wish me luck.” She crossed the stage and ascended the staircase. The wrought iron steps were a blur under her feet. This was the right thing to do.
She cleared the stairs, stepped on the catwalk, and came face-to-face with the one person she didn’t want to see. Every muscle in Bryn’s body tensed as Nola blocked her path.
“Bryn, we need to talk.”
“Wrong. You need to get out of my way.”
“You’re behaving like a child,” Nola said.
“No.” Smoke drifted from Bryn’s lips. “I’m behaving like someone who was lied to.”
“Zavien never lied to you.” Nola’s voice grew louder. “You misunderstood his invitation. You heard what you wanted to hear.”
“If you keep lecturing me, I might tell you the truth. Then we’ll see how self-righteous you are.”
“What’s going on?” Zavien crossed the catwalk and stood behind his future wife. He glared at Bryn like she was the one causing the problem.
“Your friend decided to lecture me about my behavior,” Bryn bit out.
“You’re acting like a spoiled brat,” Nola said. “You were delusional to think he’d be interested in anything beyond friendship.”
Flames roared in Bryn’s chest. If Zavien didn’t come to her defense, it was over. “Zavien, it’s now or never. Tell her the truth, or I will.”
He ran his hand down his face. “Bryn has a right to be upset. For a brief time, I behaved inappropriately.”
His words slammed into her chest, knocking her back a step. She clutched the catwalk railing for support as her world turned upside down.
Nola rounded on him. “How could you?”
“She had a crush on me.” He shrugged. “I was flattered.”
Rage tightened her fists on the metal railings. “Stop it. Stop making it sound one-sided. You’re the one who came to find me before you went shopping with Nola.” She smiled at the dark-haired woman. “He stopped by to kiss me before he spent the afternoon with you.”
Nola’s lips went white with rage.
Zavien said nothing, so Bryn continued. “He pressed me against the wall and kissed me like his life depended on it. Does he kiss you like that?”
Nola’s open palm swung at her face.
Bryn grabbed her forearm. “Try that again and I will knock you on your pretentious ass.” For emphasis, she shoved Nola backward, right into Zavien’s arms.
Not what she wanted to see. “Damn it, Zavien. How did you turn out to be such a disappointment?”
He stepped around Nola and spoke in a tight voice. “You don’t understand—”
“You’re right. I don’t understand. One day you’re kissing me and talking about changing the law so we can be together, and the next day you cut me out of your life. What am I supposed to—”
The catwalk lurched, throwing her off balance.
“What was that?” Bryn looked up and down, trying to assess the threat.
A rough grinding sound filled the air as the entire building shifted. Brick ground against brick. Cables snapped and zinged through the air. The can lights crashed to the stage below. Students screamed. Holy crap. Was the building under attack?
Time to get off the catwalk. Bryn turned for the stairs. Her foot touched the top step. Screech. The stairs twisted, breaking away from the metal catwalk. There was nothing but air beneath her right foot.
A hand latched onto her arm and yanked hard. She stumbled backward. Zavien pulled her against his body and wrapped his arms around her like she was something precious he needed to protect. She twisted around and buried her face in his chest. His summer rainstorm scent brought tears to her eyes. She’d missed him so much.
A ripping sound filled the air. Sets suspended in the rafters broke loose and crashed down, missing them by inches. Nola screamed. Zavien squeezed Bryn tighter. He was protecting her, choosing her. If they didn’t die, maybe life could go back to how it was before, the way it was supposed to be.
The catwalk bucked and pitched sideways, wrenching Bryn from Zavien’s arms and launching both of them into the air.
Bryn shifted. Something lashed across her right wing like a razor blade. Roaring in pain, she veered left, diving past the chaos on the stage and aiming for the seats. She landed in the second level. A quick shift and she tumbled to the floor.
Her heart thudded in her chest. Where was Zavien? Students clogged the aisles in dragon and human form. She climbed on a seat for a better view and spotted Nola and Zavien a few rows over. Crap. She needed him over here, not over there.
A metallic screech filled the air. Bryn whipped her head around to locate the noise. The catwalk crashed down, splintering the stage. Cables snapped and zinged through the air and more can lights fell.
Then, silence.
Dust and mortar drifted everywhere, creating a haze. A ringing sound filled Bryn’s ears as her heart fought to return to a normal rhythm. Was it over?
“Everyone out here,” Zavien yelled. “Check to see if your friends are present. We need to figure out who’s missing.”
Students made their way into the seats. Some limped. Most were bleeding. Now that she no longer feared for her life, a stinging pain shot up her right arm. She wiped the blood away, revealing several deep cuts. After taking a moment to center herself, she gathered her life force and healed the wounds.
Where were her friends? She spotted Clint holding Ivy on his lap. Bryn pushed through the crowd to reach them. “Is she okay?”
Clint nodded.
Jaxon appeared at Bryn’s side. “Where’s Rhianna?”
Bryn pointed at the stage where sets lay tossed about like a fallen house of cards. “We were working over there before I went up on the catwalk.”
Jaxon ran for the stage, and Bryn followed. Together they picked up the wooden sets and moved them aside. Across the stage, other students sifted through the debris searching for friends.
Under a park scene, they found Rhianna. Her body was twisted and one of her legs was bent at an unnatural angle.
Jaxon dropped to his knees. “Rhianna?”
Bile rose in Bryn’s throat. She knelt and placed a hand on the girl’s forehead and scanned Rhianna’s body.
“Her pelvis is broken,” Bryn whispered.
“Fix it.”
“I don’t know how.” Tears rolled down her face. She couldn’t tell him about Rhianna’s spine. Maybe dragons were different from humans. Maybe Quintessence could heal a severed spinal cord.