Bridges Burned (Entangled Teen) (Going Down in Flames) (7 page)

Chapter Ten

Valmont pulled into a gravel driveway that led to a log cabin so old, the wood was bleached with age. Vines climbed up the walls, making it difficult to distinguish the house from surrounding vegetation, as if it had grown from the forest.

Warm yellow light flickered on and glowed from the front windows.

“Do you have a roommate?”

“No. Watch this.”

He shifted into reverse and backed the car up, and the lights in the house blinked off. When he pulled forward again, they came on.

“I had a sensor installed in the driveway to turn the lights on.”

“Cool.”

Once inside, Bryn was relieved to discover there wasn’t a single animal head in sight. Thank God. A pair of swords hung on one wall. They weren’t dusty antiques. Light glinted off their edges, like they’d just been cleaned.

A beat-up gray couch sat in the living room. On the other side of a half wall, a small table and chairs, which resembled the furniture at Fonzoli’s, sat in the kitchen.

“Bringing your work home with you?” Bryn pointed at the table and chairs.

“I may have borrowed those from the back room.” He grinned.

She walked farther into the space and saw a two-burner stove set in a black countertop. A black refrigerator, a sink, and oak cabinets completed the kitchen.

“This is great. Did you do all the work yourself?”

“My grandfather helped. He likes to hide here when my grandma has friends over to play canasta.” He opened the refrigerator. “Is chicken all right?”

“Sure.”

He pulled out a tray of chicken breasts and set them on the counter.

“What can I do to help?” she asked.

“I’m a messy cook.” Valmont retrieved a bottle of olive oil from the cabinet. “You can help, but we should find something else for you to wear.”

He disappeared down a hallway and came back with a navy sweatshirt and gray sweatpants. “You won’t win any fashion contests, but these should work.”

Bryn took the clothes and headed down the hall in search of the bathroom. The first door led to a bedroom. The second door revealed a minuscule bathroom—yay for indoor plumbing—but changing in the bedroom would be easier.

Valmont’s sweatshirt came down to midthigh. The pants were huge. She cinched in the drawstring waist. The too-long pants had elastic leg openings, so the extra material pooled around her calves and ankles like leg warmers.

Good thing she wasn’t trying to impress anyone.

The wooden floor was cool under her bare feet as she padded back into the kitchen, where Valmont had more ingredients gathered on the countertop.

“What can I do?”

He pointed at a pile of tomatoes and zucchini. “Dice those.”

She grabbed the knife he’d laid out for her and chopped.
Splat
. One of the tomatoes fought back, squirting juice and seeds on the front of her shirt.

“You were right. Good thing I changed.”

He winked. “I’m always right.”

She rolled her eyes and chopped the rest of the vegetables, passing them over to Valmont. He added them to the pan of chicken sautéing in olive oil, along with a healthy dose of Italian spices.

“Is that all there is to it?” she asked.

“This by itself would be okay.” He reached for a garlic bulb, broke it apart, and then put three cloves through a press. “Now it will be fabulous.”

The scent of garlic and Italian spices filled the air.

It smelled fabulous, but their breath afterward wouldn’t. It’s not like they’d be kissing or anything. Because that was ridiculous. Well, not ridiculous, but she had enough crap to figure out about Zavien without complicating the situation by kissing the smoking-hot knight who was staring at her like he knew exactly what she was thinking.

Her face heated. “Sorry. Did you say something?”

“I asked you to grab the plates. They’re in the cabinet above the sink.”

“Sure.” She brought two plates to him. He arranged the chicken and vegetables in a pattern, making it attractive. “Before you say it, I know I’m not at work, but if something is worth doing, it’s worth doing right.”

“That sounds like a knightly thing to say.” She took her plate to the table.

He joined her. “More of a family motto.”

She realized she didn’t know much about him. “Has your family always owned Fonzoli’s?”

“The restaurant has been handed down through generations. My grandfather is the head chef, while my father manages the business end of things. Since I graduated from high school last spring, I’ve been working as a waiter while my grandfather trains me to make all the family recipes. When he retires, I’ll become head chef.”

It seemed weird to have your whole life planned out at eighteen. Then again, that seemed to be a common theme among dragon society. “Did you ever want to do anything else?”

“No.” He grinned. “I love everything about food because it makes people happy. Thank God, my sister loves the business side of the operation and she’ll replace my dad one day when he retires. My oldest brother wanted nothing to do with it. He works at the airfield, training pilots. What about your family?”

“My parents own a yoga and martial arts studio.”

“Is it true they live as humans?”

Bryn nodded. “I had no idea they were dragons. Flames shooting out of my mouth clued me in something was up.”

Valmont laughed and shook his head. “That had to be a shock.”

“A huge shock…but now I can’t imagine not living as a dragon. I want to become a medic and use my Quintessence, which I can’t do back in the human world.”

“Good to know you’re staying. I was worried you planned to leave. I don’t want to sound like a stalker, but since that dormant spell was activated, I can’t imagine not having you within arm’s reach, so to speak. The thought of you leaving and going someplace else makes me twitchy.”

She was happy to be right where she was, thank you very much, which brought another question to mind. “Not to be rude, but how can you afford your own house when you just graduated from high school?”

“There are two answers to that question. One, these cabins were originally part of the Directorate security system. Before everyone had phones, the knight’s descendants who lived here kept watch over the area and reported any threats. Since they are no longer needed in that sense, the Directorate donated the cabins to the town. Any knight’s descendant who wants one signs a contract agreeing to care for the property, and we pay a nominal fee. Two: the Directorate pays all the townspeople a livable wage for keeping their secret and promising to fight by their side, if necessary.”

“So that’s how you can afford a house and an awesome car.”

Valmont nodded. “And every job in Dragon’s Bluff is well paid. So it’s not like on television where lawyers act superior to waiters. Of course, the Blues act superior to everyone, but I think that’s genetic.”

Bryn chuckled. “I think you’re right about that.”

Being with Valmont was so easy. She could relax around him. He flirted enough to make her feel attractive, but not uncomfortable. If he were a dragon, he’d be the perfect guy. Then again, Zavien was a dragon and he was the perfect jackass.

After dinner she noticed a major appliance was missing from the kitchen. “You don’t have a dishwasher.”

“Yes. I do.” He pointed at her. “You can be the dishwasher or the dish drier, your choice.”

“Ha ha. I’ll dry.”

There wasn’t much to clean up. As she finished drying the last dish, she yawned.

Valmont checked his watch. “We better head back, it’s almost curfew.”

Facing reality didn’t sound like fun. “Can I hide here?”

Valmont grabbed her hand. “I’ll always be here for you.”

She wanted to stomp her feet like a toddler. “I’m happy here. If I go back there, I’ll have to deal with that jerk.”

“If you don’t want to deal with the idiot, don’t talk to him. Maybe you two will work this out. Maybe you won’t. Whatever happens, don’t give in too easily or he’ll think he can behave this way again.”

He wasn’t judging her, and she appreciated that. “Thanks. I’ll go change.”

“Wear my clothes back to school.” He gave a cocky grin. “That’ll annoy the hell out of him.”

She laughed. “Good idea.”

“I can only take the high road for so long.”

The ride back to campus ended too soon. Valmont insisted on walking her to the dorm, where he held the door open for her.

“Thanks for tonight,” she said.

“I live to serve. Call if you need me.”

Once in her room, she hung up her dress and kicked off the sweatpants. The sweatshirt was nice and warm…maybe she’d sleep in it. The little voice in her head that called her pathetic could shut the hell up. Valmont’s warm fuzzy sweatshirt reminded her someone cared.

She flopped backward onto her bed. Did Zavien care? How the hell would she know? He’d never said the words. How many opportunities had she given him to tell her how he felt? Dozens.

The sadness and depression she’d been holding at bay came rolling in like the tide. Her throat burned and her eyes grew hot. Crying seemed inevitable. Maybe it was best to get it over with.

A knock on the door interrupted her scheduled breakdown. Should she answer it? It could be Clint and Ivy. She padded barefoot into the front room.

“Who is it?”

“It’s me,” Zavien said. “We need to talk.”

Best not to get her hopes up. She took a deep breath and blew it out, wrangling her tear ducts into submission. Crying in front of him wasn’t an option. Trying to appear composed, she opened the door and allowed him to enter.

A muscle in his jaw twitched as he studied her outfit. “Nice sweatshirt.”

“Nice bow tie.” If he wanted a fight, she was happy to oblige.

“You left the dance. Where did you go?” he asked.

“To Valmont’s cabin.”

His eyes narrowed. “You shouldn’t have left. There are still people out there who want to hurt you.”

“You hurt me.” And now he needed to apologize.

“Aren’t you blowing this out of proportion?”

Fire flared in her gut. “You lied to me. What’s crazy is that Jaxon told me the truth. He said you wouldn’t take me to the dance. How in the hell did he end up being the honest one?”

“I didn’t lie,” Zavien said. “I never said I’d take you as my date.”

“Fine. You’re a rat bastard who insinuated you’d take me as your date. Is that more accurate?”

“I told you many times I couldn’t take you. You said you’d ask Valmont. I couldn’t stand the thought of you with him, so I twisted the truth.”

Bryn held out the hem of her sweatshirt. “Look how tonight ended. If you’d been honest with me I’d be happy to see you right now. Instead, I want to rip your head off.”

“You don’t mean that.” He reached out to touch her cheek.

She smacked his hand away. “Yes I do. You told Nola I misunderstood your invitation. You said it was a stupid crush. She went on and on about how I’d misinterpreted your actions.”

Zavien went very still. “What did you tell her?”

“Oh my God.” Realization punched her in the gut so hard she doubled over. “You’re more worried about her finding out about us than you are about my feelings.”

He took a step toward her. “That’s not true.”

“Then what is the truth?”

“Bryn, this is…it’s complicated.”

No. It wasn’t complicated. It was painfully, heart-wrenchingly, agonizingly simple. “You chose her over me—again.”

“You’re being ridiculous.” He chuckled. “It was a stupid dance.”

Her life, everything she believed about him and how he felt about her, was falling apart, and he was laughing. Sadness transformed into heated anger. “Get out.”

“You’re making too much of this. You don’t really want me to leave.” His trademark lopsided grin appeared. He was so sure of himself. So sure that she’d come running because he snapped his fingers.

Damn it, Jaxon was right. Zavien was amusing himself. She’d been an idiot.

“Get. Out.” White-hot rage flowed through her body. Sparks shot from her nostrils with every breath. She growled and pointed at the door. “Out, now. Before I lose control and burn you to a crisp.”

Zavien backed up a step. Healthy fear finally seemed to set in. He yanked open the door and retreated into the hall. “We’ll talk tomorrow.”

“Come within ten feet of me tomorrow and you’ll regret it.”

Slamming the door, she leaned against it. How could she have been so wrong about him? Her chest heaved as a volcano roared to life inside her. He’d made her look like a fool, just like her grandmother had warned her he would. The flames built inside her and begged to be released. She focused on cold and snow and lemon ice. Nothing worked. She stumbled through her bedroom and opened the window. Roaring in rage, she blasted the concrete terrace with flames over and over again, until there was nothing left. Numb, she went to bed.

Chapter Eleven

At breakfast Monday morning, Bryn scanned the dining hall, waiting to see if the cowardly asshat would make an appearance. Ivy and Clint seemed to sense she didn’t want to talk. They chatted about the weather and homework. She was required to contribute little to the conversation, which was fine with her.

Zavien approached the table carrying a tray.

As his hand touched the chair, Bryn growled. “Try to sit in that chair and you’ll never be able to father children.”

He paused.

She held up her butter knife. “I’m not joking.”

“You need more time.” He backed away and sat across the room.

Clint cleared his throat. “Note to self: never piss off Bryn.”

She sank into her seat and sipped her coffee without tasting it. What would life without Zavien mean? She could buy her own desserts. Clint and Ivy would go with her to Dragon’s Bluff. It wouldn’t be so bad.

Out of habit she reached to touch the dragon locket she normally wore. Her fingers scraped against bare skin. A momentary twinge of panic had her sitting up straighter. Then she remembered. It was under her bed somewhere, where she’d flung it. Still, the emptiness felt wrong.

In Elemental Science, she did her best to focus on Mr. Stanton’s lecture. Her mind wouldn’t stop replaying the painful loop.
Zavien’s gone. Zavien’s gone. He never cared.
Sparks shot from her nose.
Zavien’s gone. Zavien’s gone. I’m an idiot.
Flames shot from her nose.
Whoosh.
Her notebook went up in flames.

“Bryn,” Mr. Stanton yelled.

“Sorry.”

Snow hit her desk, drowning the fire. She turned to see who’d had her back. Jaxon frowned at her like she was a small child who’d misbehaved.

“Thanks.” She ducked her head. This was what her life had been reduced to. Jaxon stepping in to save her. The rest of her classmates not so subtly scooted their desks away from her. None of them made eye contact, like they thought she’d snap at any moment.

Mr. Stanton kept her after class. “I know you’re upset, but you must control your fire. I have to fill out a report on any student who can’t manage their breath weapon. If your name shows up more than once a month, you’re required to see a counselor. You don’t want that.”

He was trying to help. Since he knew of her relationship with Zavien, maybe he could offer some advice. “What’s your opinion of Zavien’s behavior?”

Mr. Stanton frowned. “I believe it was unwise of him to act on his attraction. It’s not fair to you. He should’ve known better.”

Not the answer she’d wanted or expected. Unable to speak, she nodded and left.

Miss Enid found her sitting at her usual table during second hour. “I’d ask how you are, but I think that’s obvious.”

“Zavien didn’t apologize. He accused me of overreacting.” She took a shaky breath. “Mr. Stanton said it was wrong for Zavien to start seeing me.”

The librarian frowned. “Old men forget what young love is like.”

“Young men are idiots.”

“Young men aren’t good at discussing their feelings.”

Smoke drifted from Bryn’s nostrils. “I told him how I felt about him. Not once did he say he cared about me.”

“He does, but there is always the chance he doesn’t feel as strongly as you do.”

“My life sucks.” Giving up, she laid her head on the table.

Miss Enid patted her shoulder. “Visit Valmont. He makes you smile.”

How much trouble would she be in if she skipped the rest of her classes to track down Valmont? She’d probably end up on another list somewhere.

In Basic Movement, she wailed on a Slam Man, imagining the robot-like figure had spiky black hair.

Outside of Clint and Ivy, Jaxon was the only student brave enough to speak to her. He approached when she was stretching out on the mats.

“Why are you letting everyone see your pain? It’s undignified.”

“Why do you care?”

He shrugged. “I don’t. I feel compelled to offer advice since you keep doing things wrong.”

She growled at him. Smoke drifted from her mouth as she spoke. “Do you really think pissing me off right now is a good idea?”

“Zavien went to a lot of trouble to mislead you and keep your relationship a secret. Now everyone on campus knows something is going on between you two.”

He was right. “I wonder if Nola will figure it out.”

“Wait until Stagecraft tomorrow evening and see if she tries to drop a set on your head.” Jaxon said.

“Death by crappy scenery. That would be a great way to go.” She realized she felt better. “Thanks, Jaxon.”

“For what?” He walked away.

The next morning, Zavien sat across the room with Black dragons she didn’t know. She managed to keep her expression blank while she ate.

“You look sedated,” Clint said. “You’re scaring me.”

“I’m trying to block everything out. If I set my notebook on fire again, I’ll have to see a counselor.”

Ivy sighed. “I wish there was something we could do.”

In Elemental Science, Bryn managed to keep her fire under control. In Basic Movement she ran on a treadmill until her legs felt like dead weight.

That night in Stagecraft, Bryn painted the top of a set blue to represent the sky. Someone with actual artistic talent would add the forest later.

Rhianna worked next to her. “What happened between you and Zavien?”

Bryn frowned. How much should she share? Rhianna was nice, but they weren’t close.

“He misled me about something and he hasn’t apologized. He keeps telling me I’m wrong to be upset.”

Rhianna dipped her roller in the blue paint. “If you’re upset, then he should respect your feelings and do something to make you feel better, rather than telling you you’re wrong.”

Exactly
. “Would you mind pointing that out to him? He doesn’t see it that way.”

Laughter drifted across the stage. Bryn’s gaze shot up to see who was having such a good time. Zavien stood off to the side of the stage with a small group of students, including Nola.

Resentment welled up inside her. Why wouldn’t Zavien be having a good time? He’d had friends before she’d come along. He didn’t need her, and he probably wouldn’t miss her. But she had had three friends and was now down to two.

She slammed her roller into the paint tray. “Can you clean up by yourself? I have to get out of here.”

“Sure.” Rhianna gave her a sad smile. “I’ll tell Ivy you left.”

Bryn fled the auditorium and ran down a side hall. She leaned against a wall with her eyes squeezed shut. She would not cry again. She’d cried enough over that jackass. Once her tear ducts were under control, she found the closest exit, shifted into dragon form, and took off into the night sky.

The cool evening air flowed around her body, washing away some of her anger. If she could stay up here for a while, maybe she’d be all right. Then again, she’d have to come down eventually. When she did, she’d need good company. Pumping her wings to gain speed, she aimed for Dragon’s Bluff. Valmont would make her feel better. How would she find his cabin from the air? She circled the forested area where she thought his cabin stood. All of the greenery looked the same. Change in plans. Fly to Fonzoli’s. If he wasn’t working, they’d know how to reach him.

The street in front of the restaurant was empty. She shifted as soon as her claws touched cement and stumbled a few steps. The chilly evening air, which she’d enjoyed in dragon form, gave her goose bumps. Rubbing her arms, she hustled into the restaurant.

The hostess greeted her. “Table for one?”

“Is Valmont working?”

“Yes. Would you like to sit in his section?”

She wanted Valmont to skip out on work and distract her from her sucky life, but she’d take what she could get.

Seated at a table for two, it took ten seconds for Valmont to spot her. He slid into the chair across from her. “Everything all right?”

“No.”

His eyebrows drew together. “Can I beat him up now?”

Valmont may have been a descendent of knights, blessed with superior strength and trained to fight dragons, but she wasn’t sure he could take on Zavien.

“If I can’t beat him up, you can’t.”

He undid the top few buttons of his work shirt. “Want to get out of here?”

“Yes.”

Taking her hand, he pulled her back into the kitchen. “Grandpa, we’re going to the cabin.”

…

Since her last visit to the cabin, he’d added blue throw pillows to the couch. She pointed at them. “Those are new.”

“My sister said the couch looked sad. She gave me the pillows as a housewarming gift. If I keep having her over, I won’t have to decorate.”

Bryn pointed at the only other decorative item in the cabin. “Did she give you the swords?”

Valmont walked to the fireplace. He pulled down the two swords hanging above the mantel. “No. These are real broadswords. Everyone in Dragon’s Bluff receives swords on their sixteenth birthday as a reminder of who we truly are. We train as a way to stay in shape and to keep our skills sharp.” He wiggled his eyebrows.

Bryn groaned. “Was that an intentional pun?”

“Sorry, couldn’t help myself.”

Bryn accepted the sword he held out to her. It wasn’t as heavy as she thought it would be. “Can you teach me how to use this?”

“Sure, let’s go out back.”

“Isn’t it too dark?”

“Nope.” They stepped out the back door into the twilight. Valmont flipped a switch, and lanterns hanging from the eaves of the house bathed the backyard in warm yellow light. It would have been beautiful except for the fir trees that resembled short telephone poles scattered about the yard. Most of the branches had been cut off, and they were only a bit taller than Valmont.

Bryn pointed at one of the oddities. “Is that some sort of knightly landscaping?”

“No. I want to clear this area to make room for a picnic table and a barbecue grill. Cutting down trees is great for sword practice.”

He pointed toward a stump about ten feet away. “Sit over there and watch. You’ll understand how knights can defend themselves.”

Valmont swung at a branch five inches thick. He cut through the limb like it was made of cream cheese. Swinging the blade in a reverse arc, he sliced through another thick branch.

Maybe he could fight a dragon. “I’m impressed.”

He smiled and waved her over. “We’re going to focus on your form. Keep both hands on the pommel and swing in fluid figure eights. Do not bring the sword down and hit yourself in the leg.”

Being careful, Bryn swung the sword in an awkward figure eight. After a few tries, the movement became more fluid.

“I’m doing it.”

“You’re ready to chop wood.” Valmont stepped well out of range. “Try the smaller branches first.”

She aimed at a two-inch branch and the sword passed right through. A six-inch branch met the same fate.
Cool
. Bringing her arm down with force, she sliced diagonally through the trunk of the tree. The top third fell to the pine needles below, stirring the woodsy scent.

Valmont whistled. “Very nice. I don’t think I could manage that.”

Bryn wiped sweat from her brow and struck a pose. “I’m a badass.”

He laughed. “Yes, you are. Want something to drink?”

“Sure.”

Back in the kitchen, he showed her the proper way to wipe down a sword. Then they sat at the kitchen table drinking iced tea. Valmont kept her amused with stories about his family.

“Your grandmother did not threaten your grandfather with a meat cleaver over a bottle of olive oil.” Bryn laughed.

“Yes, she did.” He grinned. “Never mess with an Italian woman’s pantry. Things will turn ugly.”

Time flew too quickly. Bryn frowned as she glanced at the clock. It was a quarter to nine. “I should go.”

“Let me drive you.” Valmont pulled the keys from his pocket.

“I can fly back,” she said.

“You could. But then I’d worry about you.” He stood. “Come on. It’ll take less time if you don’t argue.”

Why am I arguing?
If she could hold on to the happy feeling she had around Valmont, life would be so much better. On the ride back to the institute, she willed her good mood to continue. The warm feeling drained away as soon as she stepped foot on campus. Valmont walked her to her dorm with his arm around her shoulders.

When they were within ten feet of her door, she spotted Zavien coming down the sidewalk returning from Stagecraft.

Zavien stalked forward; a deep, rumbling growl came from his throat.

Valmont chuckled. “If seeing her with someone else upsets you, maybe you should’ve treated her better.”

Bryn held her breath as she waited for him to respond. The scent of ozone filling the air meant Zavien was battling for control of his breath weapon—which for Black dragons was lightning. The fact that he was disturbed enough to become unstable meant he cared, right?

“Figure out your apology yet?” Bryn asked.

“What do you want me to say? You know how I feel about Valmont.”

Flames banked in Bryn’s chest. “I know you’re jealous of him.” Smoke drifted from her lips. “How do you feel about me?”