by Chris Cannon
“Try changing it to ice,” Mr. Stanton said.
Cold. Snow. Ice. The ball of energy turned to a ball of snow and dropped into her palm.
“I should be filming this.” Mr. Stanton stepped over to a computer and pushed several buttons. Red lights blinked on in cameras set high in the corners of the room. “Try producing lightning.”
She concentrated, but nothing happened. Changing gears, she produced an emissary of fire, and then changed it to electricity. “I must be using Quintessence to copy lightning.”
Earlier, she’d assumed being near Zavien had made her feel better because she was producing an electrical charge. She thought he’d balanced out the chemistry in her body. Now she realized the comfort he provided was brought on by a different kind of chemistry. Did he feel the same way? It’s not like she could ask him.
Best to focus on the task at hand. “Mr. Stanton, pass me one of your emissaries.”
“Wonderful idea.” He created a small twister.
Zavien retreated to the other side of the room and stood close to a large filing cabinet. “Don’t take it personally if I duck and cover.”
Bryn ignored him and concentrated on sustaining the twister. It grew in her palm. She imagined Quintessence traveling through her fingertips, and the funnel of wind doubled in size. Oops. She better back off. The funnel kept growing. The hair on her arms stood up. The twister tripled in size and turned black. Why couldn’t she control it?
“Time to think of snow.” Mr. Stanton backed up.
The twister became a funnel of glistening white flakes, which flew out in all directions.
“I have a confession,” Bryn said. “I thought about the twister in Wizard of Oz as I tried to sustain your emissary.”
“Bad idea,” Zavien called from behind the file cabinet.
“I don’t have much reference for twisters. Be grateful I didn’t conjure any of those creepy flying monkeys.”
“You used your own experiences to manipulate the emissaries. Since you’re using Quintessence to sustain them, that make sense. Now, I’d like to try another experiment.” Mr. Stanton picked a paper clip off one of the tables. He straightened one end and scraped the back of his hand. “I want you to touch my hand and visualize my skin undamaged.”
No way. “Give me the paper clip. I’ll try it on myself.”
“No. You’ve had your share of injuries. Anything you do can be undone by a medic.”
“What happens when you grow a third hand?” Zavien asked.
Mr. Stanton chuckled. “You’re both over thinking this. Bryn, you change your hair with ease. I’m asking you to apply the same technique to my scratch.”
“I’ll try, but you better hope a medic is on duty.”
Closing her eyes, she visualized Quintessence flowing through her body. Keeping her breathing slow and even, she opened her eyes and traced her finger over Mr. Stanton’s scratch. Nothing happened. She concentrated on feeling the Quintessence flow to her pointer finger. The scratch turned from angry red to dark pink. She visualized healing white light flowing from her fingertip.
The scratch faded and disappeared.
“Oh my God. I did it.”
Mr. Stanton examined his hand. “Yes, you did.”
“She did it?” Zavien joined them.
Bryn did a small victory dance. “I did it.”
“How do you feel?” Mr. Stanton asked.
“Happy, but tired.”
“Feed her and then have her take a nap,” Mr. Stanton said to Zavien.
“Hey, I’m not five.”
“Sorry, I’m feeling protective.” Mr. Stanton’s brow furrowed. “Don’t tell anyone of this. We’ll keep it a secret until you’re stronger. You’re still recovering. You need to take it easy.”
“I promise not to run around healing random strangers. Instead of spending second hour in the library, could I spend time with Medic Williams?”
“History is a required course. If you want to spend time with the medics in the evenings, I’ll make arrangements.”
It was better than nothing. “Thanks.”
Zavien checked his watch. “Clint and Ivy will be done with classes in an hour. Why don’t we go back to the dorm and find you a snack?”
“I want cookies or pie.”
“Anything but cake?” Zavien asked.
She nodded.
“I suppose I’ll have to commit random acts of cookies from now on.”
“Doughnuts would be good.”
He rubbed the bridge of his nose. “How long did I commit to bring you dessert?”
She batted her eyelashes at him. “For the rest of my life.”
“Wonderful.” He propelled her toward the door. “You get your pick at the vending machine, and then you’re taking a nap.”
…
Bryn ate the last powdered sugar doughnut, finished off her chocolate milk, and sighed in satisfaction.
Zavien passed her a napkin. “You’re a mess.”
The front of her shirt looked like she had a horrid case of dandruff.
“Guess I should change.” Since she planned to take a nap, she put on a hot pink tank top and her giraffe pajama bottoms. After brushing her teeth, she rejoined Zavien in the living room.
He sat at one of the desks, writing in a notebook. She’d hoped he’d sit on the couch so she could use him as a pillow. No such luck. “Wake me when Clint and Ivy show.”
He focused on his notebook. “Sleep for an hour. We’ll meet them for dinner.”
She wasn’t a toddler. “Just so you know, this whole bossy act doesn’t work for me.”
He turned to speak and laughed.
“What?”
“That is the most ridiculous outfit I’ve seen you wear.”
“Why does everyone feel the need to comment on what I sleep in?”
His eyes narrowed. “Who else has seen you in your pajamas?”
She ticked people off on her fingers. “Clint, Ivy, Merrick, and anyone who came to visit me in the medical wing.”
His good mood returned. “Right, I forgot about that. For Christmas, you’re getting red plaid pajamas.”
“Pajamas aren’t a good Christmas present.” Retreating into the bedroom, she closed the door.
…
Something poked her arm. She rolled over.
“Bryn, wake up.”
She recognized Ivy’s voice but wasn’t ready to crawl out from under the covers. “Go away.”
“It’s time for dinner.”
The distinct garlic aroma of Fonzoli’s restaurant drifted through the room. Bryn opened her eyes to find Ivy fanning the lid of a carryout box.
“That smells wonderful. What is it?”
“Spaghetti with meatballs and garlic bread.”
Bryn’s stomach growled. She climbed out of bed, snatched a piece of garlic bread, and took a bite. Heaven. There was the just right amount of garlic and butter on the soft, warm bread.
Zavien and Clint were already in the living room, eating. Bryn sat on the carpet and dished out a serving of spaghetti and meatballs.
“The giraffe pants went better with the purple tank top,” Clint said.
Responding would’ve required her to stop eating, so she ignored the comment.
Zavien took a bite of his spaghetti and appeared to think about something. Then, he said, “Monkeys?”
Clint laughed.
Bryn shot Ivy a questioning look, but her friend shrugged.
Zavien tilted his head. “Kangaroos?”
“Did he take a blow to the head while I slept?” she asked Clint.
“Flamingoes?” Zavien said.
Smacking her fork down on the coffee table, she glared at him. “Are you trying to guess what animal is on my underwear?”
Both males laughed.
Bryn crumpled her napkin and threw it at Zavien’s head. “Today it’s lizards.”
“Those are kind of cute,” Ivy said.
After finishing off the plate of spaghe
tti, Bryn eyed the other take-out boxes.
Clint pushed one toward her. “Try the calzones.”
She took his advice and put one on her plate. When she cut into it, cheese, pizza sauce, and pepperoni oozed out. The tangy scent made her mouth water. One bite told her the calzone tasted as good as it smelled.
“You should become a chef,” Ivy said. “Food makes you happy.”
“That’s not a bad idea.” If she were a chef, she could go back to the normal world. Should she tell Clint and Ivy about her ability to manipulate Quintessence? She wasn’t sure. Keeping secrets didn’t feel right.
“I might want to be a medic.” She tried for a casual tone.
“That would be cool,” Clint said. “Who’s ready for lemon ice?”
It was nice not to be questioned. Bryn relaxed and ate the tangy dessert.
“Are you coming to class tomorrow?” Ivy asked.
Before she could answer, Zavien spoke. “She needs one more day off.”
Even if his intentions were good, the way he overrode her was irritating. “What if I want to go to class?”
“Why would you want to go to class?” Clint asked.
“Merrick talked about presenting a strong image. I should go to class to show I’m all right.”
Zavien took a deep breath and spread both of his hands flat on the table. “How many hours were you awake today?”
“I don’t know.”
“Do you know what time it is?” he asked.
“Make your point.”
“Your nap lasted three hours. It’s almost curfew. You were awake for five hours today. You should take one more day to rest.”
He was right. “You could’ve said that in the first place.”
“Silly me…thinking you’d be reasonable.”
“We should go. It’s late.” Clint stood and held his hand out to Ivy. She allowed him to pull her to her feet, and they left together.
Bryn moved to sit next to Zavien on the couch. “I don’t mean to seem ungrateful. It makes me crazy that all this crap beyond my control keeps happening.”
He bumped her with his shoulder. “If you weren’t hard-headed, I wouldn’t recognize you. Let’s clean up this mess. I’ll sleep on your couch tonight, and Clint will take a shift tomorrow.”
It was on the tip of her tongue to say she didn’t need a babysitter, but the idea of being alone made her nervous. “I wonder when being by myself will feel safe.”
He stacked the take-out boxes. “It’s best we don’t find out for a while. Let’s toss this in the trash can by the vending machines. Otherwise, your room will reek.”
Garret met them in the hall. “I’m so sorry, Bryn. I never spoke to Mr. Stanton about a ward for your door. I thought you’d be safe with us.”
“Don’t worry about it. It wasn’t your fault.”
He gave her a tentative nod. “As soon as you’re better, I’d be happy to arrange more races. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves.”
The memory of speeding through the sky made her smile. “It was fun. I’ll let you know when the medic gives me the green light.”
“Good.” He turned and left.
Zavien cleared his throat. “Notice I didn’t yell and say you weren’t well enough to race?”
“I appreciate the restraint.”
…
When her alarm went off the next morning, Bryn considered killing someone. Stumbling to the dresser, she whacked the clock as hard as she could. Her head was back on the pillow before she wondered if Zavien had woken up. Damn it. She forced her body back out of bed.
In the living room, she found Zavien at a desk, leafing through his notebook.
“You’re up.”
He glanced over. “How’re you feeling?”
Slumping against the doorframe, she stifled a yawn. “Grateful I get to sleep in.”
“Go back to bed. I’ll shower in my room once Ivy comes to take my place.”
Who would stay with her once Ivy went to class? Maybe she should return to the long-term care room. “If it would be easier, I could stay in the medical center.”
“Not a problem. I’ve found someone to sit with you while we’re in class.”
“Who?”
“Mr. Stanton spoke to the librarian, Miss Enid. She’s bringing you some books.”
…
Hunger woke Bryn several hours later. After making herself presentable, she entered the living room in search of breakfast. Miss Enid sat on the couch, engrossed in a book. A tray of bagels and cream cheese sat on the coffee table. A white carafe of coffee, several porcelain mugs, and packets of sugar and creamer sat next to the tray.
Miss Enid shut her book and gave Bryn a warm smile. “How are you?”
“I’m hungry. Other than that, I’m fine.”
“We could go down to the café for a hot breakfast.”
Bryn grabbed a bagel and smeared a large glob of cream cheese on top. “Bagels are good.” She poured a cup of coffee and stirred in two packets of sugar. “What are you reading?”
“This is my favorite novel. It’s about a couple who are forbidden to marry. They stay true to each other and keep their relationship a secret.”
Bryn wolfed down a bagel while she thought about how to phrase what she wanted to say. “It’s hard for me to understand how the Directorate has so much control over everyone’s lives. My parents ran away. Why don’t other dragons defy the Directorate?”
“Your mother and father were unique. They loved each other so much they were willing to give up their entire way of life.” Miss Enid gave a sad smile. “Most dragons aren’t that adaptable. The idea of living as a human all the time is impossible to imagine.”
Bryn picked up another bagel. “It seemed normal to me. I had no idea they were dragons.”
The woman’s jaw dropped open. “They didn’t tell you?”
“No. A little advance warning would’ve been nice. Zavien stopped by to visit and set off a chain reaction of stress that led to my transformation.” Bryn sipped her coffee while she thought about Zavien. “Can I ask you a personal question?”
“I may choose not to answer, but you can ask.”
She wanted to clarify why she was interested. “I’m not being nosy. Mr. Stanton said the Directorate won’t allow me to marry.” The words came out bitter. “Is that why you’re not married? Did the Directorate deny your marriage petition?”
Miss Enid sat forward. “What I tell you goes no further than this room.”
Bryn nodded.
“My marriage petition was denied, and I was devastated. I’d only ever loved one man. When the Directorate offered me another option, I didn’t consider it. The man I loved reacted the same way. We still see each other.”
“You never considered running away?”
“We talked about it, but both our passions revolve around the Institute. We didn’t know how we’d live in the human world. In the end, we decided what we had was enough.”
“It’s nice you still have each other. From what Zavien said, most dragons take whatever the Directorate offers.”
“There are some who choose to go their own way. They normally find an older man to keep them company.”
“That’s bullshit,” Bryn muttered. “It sounds like the Directorate keeps a group of young women on hand so rich, middle-aged men can have mistresses.”
Miss Enid choked on her coffee.
Bryn passed her a napkin. “Are you all right?”
She nodded and cleared her throat. “I’ve never considered it that way. Females are denied more often than males.”
Big surprise. “Does the Directorate justify their decisions?”
Miss Enid blotted the spots of coffee on her blouse. “The reason given is always the same. The bloodlines wouldn’t combine well.”
“What does that mean?”
“We questioned them when they denied us. They refused to give any hard data. It was maddening.”
The Directorate sucked. “I won’t
be someone’s mistress. If there was someone else who was denied, we could date and see if we liked each other.”
“I thought your heart already belonged to someone.” Miss Enid gave her a knowing look.
Bryn felt her cheeks color. “Is it that obvious?”
“Your face lights up when you say his name.”
Maybe she’d have some insight into Zavien’s feelings. “Does his face light up when he say’s my name?”
“No, but his voice drops a little.”
“I always thought that was a sign of irritation.”
“Males are harder to read. Speaking of reading, I brought you some books.” Miss Enid reached into a tote bag sitting next to the couch and pulled out a paperback. “In this story, a Red and a Black Dragon run away together and help end a war.”
“Do you have any books about a hybrid and a Black dragon running away together?”
“Sorry, the authors weren’t that creative.”
After finishing breakfast, Bryn spent the rest of the morning reading in companionable silence with Miss Enid. A part of her brain suggested she should be working on missed homework assignments, but she ignored it. The homework would be there when she got around to it. Right now she needed the escape of a good book. Just as she wondered what to do for lunch, Zavien opened her door with a key. She felt the corners of her mouth curve up.
“I brought BLTs and fries.” He balanced six white Styrofoam containers against his chest.
Bryn hopped off the couch and took the top two boxes, which were in danger of falling. “I eat a lot, but I think you went overboard.”
“I’m sure you could take care of this by yourself, no problem.” He set the boxes on the coffee table. “But you won’t have to. Clint and Ivy are joining us.”
Miss Enid stood. “If you’ll excuse me, I have a lunch date. I’ll return in an hour.”
Zavien waved Bryn toward the door. “Let’s hit the vending machine for sodas.”
Stepping outside of her room felt like freedom. “Being cooped up all day is starting to wear on me.”
“Get used to spending time in your room. Until we find out who was behind the attack, your freedom will be limited.”
“I should get credit for not complaining about the babysitter.”
“What did she bring you to read?”
They reached the vending machines. He fed money into the slot, and Bryn grabbed the cans as they emerged.