Fanning the Flames (Going Down in Flames)

by Chris Cannon

  “How do you know?” Jaxon asked.

  “The same way I knew Onyx gave me the creeps from day one because he seemed like a sleazy television lawyer. The same way I’d bet Nola and her pretentious fake flowing dresses are involved, and she’s probably the bitch who poisoned me and stole the snowflake bracelet my mother gave me. Alec said he had people on the inside. The Rebels who attacked on Valentine’s Day said they had people everywhere.”

  “My driver, who tried to kill Bryn, did you know him?” her grandmother asked.

  “No, but if he was a hybrid, they could have threatened to expose him or his family. And the general belief of my kind is that Ferrin Westgate will have any hybrid executed because he’s still bitter over Bryn’s mom running out on him. No offense, Jaxon, but it’s what everyone believes.”

  Jaxon seemed to choose his words carefully. “My father is an honorable man, but Bryn’s mother betrayed him and damaged his reputation. That would have affected his feelings toward hybrids in general.”

  “You are not your father,” Bryn’s grandmother said. “And while I don’t condone what my daughter did, innocent people shouldn’t suffer for her transgressions. Do you agree?”

  “Of course I do. But my father will never concede that point. We can’t tell him we know of other hybrids, because I can’t guarantee he’ll believe they aren’t behind the attacks. Which is why the information Eve gave us should probably never leave this room. But we now know that Onyx is a key player. That is information we can pass along to my father.”

  Bryn’s grandmother’s cell rang. She checked caller ID. “It’s Ephram. Follow my lead.” She pressed a button. “Ephram, I’ve put you on speaker so Bryn can hear, too.”

  “Fine. We have the deed the Rebels asked for and a contingency of guards ready to escort Bryn and Jaxon to the designated area.”

  “There’s something you should know,” Bryn’s grandmother said. “We have it on good authority that Onyx is involved with the Rebels and he is in contact with the Revisionists who live in the forest.”

  “How did you learn this?”

  “A Throwback named Eve came forward. The Rebels kidnapped her boyfriend Adam because they wanted her to lead Bryn and Jaxon into a trap. We think it would be better to tell the extortionists we’re close to coming up with our own cure and we’ll meet them in Valmont’s cabin to discuss a truce. Tell them to meet us there in an hour with Adam, and we’ll trade them their cure and Adam for the deed.”

  “That is unacceptable,” Ferrin boomed in the background. “You will not endanger my son with some half-baked plan.”

  “It’s a good plan, Father,” Jaxon said. “I believe it will work, and I’m choosing to participate. Maybe if we give them some land where they feel safe from persecution, they’ll leave us alone.”

  And the room went dead quiet. Ferrin couldn’t undermine his son in front of witnesses. Jaxon was his key to controlling the Directorate after he retired. “If you believe this is a wise choice, I will trust you.”

  “Thank you, Father. Can you relay the message to your contact that we’ll meet them in an hour? And about the guards—I don’t want them attacking unless I give a signal.”

  “And what signal did you have in mind?” Ferrin asked.

  “Valmont, it’s your cabin,” Jaxon said. “What do you suggest?”

  “Not burning down my cabin,” Valmont said.

  Jaxon glared at him.

  “Fine. Sorry. Trying to lighten the mood. If there is trouble, I can toss some oil on the fire and the smoke coming from the chimney will turn black.”

  “I’d rather not depend on your aim and the ability to see what color smoke is drifting from your chimney,” Jaxon said.

  “Can’t you give us one of the bugs or cameras that are in the library so someone can hear us? If there’s trouble, one of us could say a code word.”

  “That might work,” Bryn’s grandfather’s voice came through the phone. “The code word should be something you won’t accidentally say.”

  “Zen,” Bryn said. “The code word should be Zen since we’re hoping for peace.”

  “And we’re not likely to accidentally say that,” Valmont said.

  “Fine. I’ll send an SUV to pick you up at the medical center.”

  “If we’re going to do this,” Bryn said. “I need real clothes. I’m not facing the Rebels in a hospital gown.”

  Her grandmother pointed to an overnight bag against the wall. “I asked Valmont to pack a bag for you, so you’d have something to put on once you were well.”

  “Thank you.” Bryn picked up her empty coffee mug and held it out for a refill. “One more cup, just to be safe.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  Jaxon drove the SUV while Valmont rode shotgun, and Bryn sat in the backseat checking the connection on the listening device she’d inserted into the seam of her shirt. Thank goodness Valmont had been the one to pack her bag for the medical center. He’d included a dress her grandmother would approve of and a pair of jeans and a shirt Bryn liked to wear on the weekends when the dress code wasn’t an issue.

  The fact that he’d picked her Munch’s The Scream shirt was amusing because screaming was pretty much what she felt like doing at the moment. The caffeine from the coffee and the boost from the adrenaline shot Medic Williams had given her were wearing off. The world was starting to grow hazy around the edges as she blinked to maintain focus.

  “Valmont, we may have a problem,” Bryn said.

  He whipped around. “What’s wrong?”

  “I’m not sure how much longer I can stay awake.”

  “That is why I borrowed this when Medic Williams wasn’t paying attention.” Valmont pulled a syringe and a vial of epinephrine from his pocket.

  “Doesn’t it go against your knightly code to steal?” Jaxon asked.

  “My dragon comes first,” Valmont said, like it was the absolute truth. “Bryn, do you want me to give you a small dose? We could do half of what the medic did.”

  There was no way she was sleeping through the negotiations with the Rebels. “Do it.”

  “Pull over so I can get in the back seat with Bryn,” Valmont said.

  “What if someone is watching us?” Jaxon asked.

  “They’ll probably understand why I’m doing it because they know Bryn is still ill.”

  “Fine.” Jaxon slowed down and pulled off onto the side of the road.

  Valmont joined Bryn in the backseat. Before he could put on his seatbelt, Jaxon was back on the road.

  “In a hurry?” Bryn asked.

  “The longer we take to get there, the more opportunity there is for something to go wrong,” Jaxon said. “I can assure you, the Directorate is looking for any excuse to attack the Rebels. We need to limit the time we’re in the Rebels’ company as much as possible. We do not want to be caught in the middle.”

  “Isn’t that where we are right now?” Bryn said. “Caught between two forces who want different things?”

  “Which is why we need to get in and get out,” Jaxon said.

  “You won’t get any argument from me. Once Bryn has the antidote, I say we run for the proverbial hills.” Valmont drew out a small dose of epinephrine and then held the syringe up to the light, tapping it for air bubbles. “I’m going to do this through your jeans. Ready?”

  “Okay.” Bryn looked out the window so she wouldn’t see the needle jabbing into her thigh. That didn’t stop her from wincing.

  “Sorry,” Valmont said. “There. It’s over.”

  “Good.” Her heart rate increased, and the fuzzy quality of her vision cleared up. “That stuff is a miracle drug.”

  “Too much of that miracle drug will make your heart explode,” Jaxon said.

  “Seriously?”

  “Maybe not literally, but it can kill you, so no more shots unless they’re from a medic,” Jaxon said. “That’s just common sense.”

  “Sure.” It’s not like she wanted any more shots, but desperate times called
for desperate measures.

  They turned up the winding road, which lead to Valmont’s cabin. The epinephrine made Bryn hyper-aware of every bump the SUV hit. Why did people like to drive these things? She wanted a car that smoothed out the bumps. And it would be awesome if it came with its own coffee maker. Wait. What? Where did that thought come from? She shook her head.

  “What’s wrong?” Valmont asked.

  She tried to explain. “My mind is wandering in weird directions, like my brain isn’t up to full speed.”

  “You’re probably exhausted.” Valmont brushed hair back from her face. “It’s been a rough couple of days.”

  “With all the sleeping I’ve done, you’d think I’d be rested.” When they pulled into the drive, Bryn shivered. “Is it me, or do you feel like you’re being watched?”

  “I’m sure we are,” said Jaxon. “Both inside this car and once we step outside of it. Keep that in mind.” He drove to the top of Valmont’s driveway and then stopped the SUV, putting it into park. “Bryn, Valmont should help you walk up to the cabin. Don’t let them know your true strength and maybe they’ll underestimate you, which could give us an advantage.”

  “I really hate it when he’s right,” Valmont muttered.

  Bryn chuckled. “Okay then, let the fun begin.”

  Valmont helped her from the car, keeping his arm around her lower back for support, and Jaxon walked ahead to open the door. Inside the front room Bryn was startled to find Adam and Onyx sitting on Valmont’s couch. She stumble-stepped in response.

  “Surprised to see me?” Onyx grinned like he’d played a huge joke on her.

  She’d had a head’s up, thanks to Eve, but she never imagined he’d be the one meeting them. And she hadn’t thought he’d be by himself. “What are you doing here?”

  “I’m here to negotiate a truce. There are many peaceful hybrids who’d like a place where they could feel safe.”

  “And you speak for them?” Jaxon asked.

  “No,” Onyx answered. “I speak for several factions of dragons. They don’t all want peace, but they don’t all want war, either.”

  “What?” Were the meds making her fuzzy headed or was Onyx making zero sense?

  “We came, so let Adam go,” Valmont said.

  “You’re free to leave,” Onyx said to the hybrid dragon. “I suggest you exit by the front door and don’t make any sudden movements.”

  Adam stood. “You saw Eve. She’s all right?”

  “Worried about you,” Bryn said, “but she’s fine.”

  Adam left by the front door.

  “Did you bring the antidote?” Valmont asked.

  “Did you bring the deed?” Onyx asked.

  Jaxon held out an attaché case. “We have it right here. Let’s trade and be done with this.”

  Onyx stood. “It’s not that simple. I wasn’t sure you’d hold up your end of the bargain, so I took certain precautions by leaving the antidote in the tunnels out back.”

  “What kind of crap are you trying to pull?” Bryn asked.

  “Just trying to protect my interests.” Onyx gestured toward the back door. “If you’ll come with me—”

  “No way,” Valmont said. “You’d have the tactical advantage. Someone could be waiting at the bottom of the ladder to kidnap Bryn, or worse.”

  “My goal today is to secure a safe place for hybrids and Throwbacks. Killing Bryn wouldn’t further that goal. If you want the antidote, follow me.”

  “No,” Jaxon said. “If you want the deed, retrieve the antidote.”

  “Sorry.” Onyx continued walking toward the back door. “It’s not going to work that way.”

  “Now what?” Bryn asked, hoping someone would have an answer.

  “I guess we follow him,” Valmont said.

  “Absolutely not.” Jaxon turned toward the front door. “We can’t trust him. We’re leaving.”

  Bryn felt like she was caught in a political game of tug-of-war. “Wait. I’m the one who is poisoned and I know Onyx is annoying, but I don’t think he wants me dead. Plus, if he kills me, there isn’t a chance in hell he’ll ever be able to set up a sanctuary for hybrids.”

  “I knew you were the smartest of the three,” Onyx called out from where he stood in the back doorway.

  “Let’s go.” Bryn took a few steps, and then remembered she wasn’t supposed to let them know she was doing okay, thanks to the epinephrine shot. “Valmont, I might need your help.”

  “And that’s why you shouldn’t be making any important decisions,” Jaxon muttered as he followed along beside her.

  Did he not understand she was faking weakness? Then again who knew when the shot would wear off. “You don’t have to go with us,” Bryn said. “You could stay here.”

  “Have you ever heard of the divide-and-conquer strategy? That’s exactly what we’d be allowing him to do.”

  “You’re the only one left in the cabin,” said Bryn.

  “There’s not a chance in hell Onyx doesn’t have people hidden inside and outside this cabin, but since you seem to be leaving me no choice…” He gestured that she should go first.

  What were the odds Onyx wasn’t up to something? Slim to none. But she truly didn’t believe he meant her harm. He wanted more rights for dragons, but she didn’t think he was behind the attacks. They exited the house and walked over toward the root cellar. The square metal door stood open. When they were half a dozen feet from the door, she paused to sniff the air.

  “At the moment, I don’t think there are any rotting bodies in the tunnel,” Valmont said. “Let’s hope the same can be said after we go down there.”

  “Way to be positive,” Bryn muttered to him.

  “Before we go down there, have your men come out,” Jaxon said. “And I don’t mean the ones down in the tunnel.”

  “As you wish.” Onyx cupped his hand to his mouth and hollered. “On the roof and behind the house, show yourself to our young friends.”

  Two dragons stood up on the roof and one appeared from behind a tree.

  “I’m sure your father and Bryn’s grandfather have taken similar precautions,” Onyx said.

  “And I’m sure you have more men stationed around this cabin than those three,” Jaxon said.

  Onyx pointed toward the ladder leading down into the root cellar. “After you.”

  “I really don’t want to go down there,” Bryn said. “Now that we’re out here and you have us outnumbered, why don’t you go get it while we wait here.”

  “Would it help if I told you there was someone down there who wanted to speak to you?” Onyx asked.

  “Like who?”

  Onyx leaned in and said. “Someone you thought you’d never see again.”

  Was he trying to mess with her head? He couldn’t mean…ugh…there was only one way to find out. She moved to the opening, sat down and then scooted over to the edge.

  “Wait.” Valmont joined her, positioning himself between her and the ladder. “Let me go first. I can catch you if you fall.”

  “Fine.”

  He swung down and descended the metal rungs. As soon as he was clear, she grabbed the ladder rail and placed her foot on a rung about two feet below the opening. The metal bar was skinny and felt awkward under her foot. She scrambled down as quickly as possible and landed in a dimly lit area, which smelled of disinfectant. Whatever the body recovery team had used to clean this place must have been strong.

  “Hello?” Bryn called out. If Onyx had tricked her into coming down here, she was going to kill him.

  “Move,” Jaxon ordered, and then he dropped from halfway up the ladder to land in a crouch on the ground.

  Bryn produced a small fireball and held it out, trying to see through the shadows.

  Onyx descended the ladder and then straightened his suit. “Come this way.”

  What else could she do but follow? Valmont stayed by her side. Jaxon skulked along behind them like he expected someone to jump out at him. Not that she could blame him.


  Onyx grabbed something from a hook on the wall. Bryn tensed until he fiddled with the object and it flared to light. A lantern. He’d grabbed a lantern. She doused her fireball.

  The farther they went into the tunnel, the stuffier the air became. The floor was hard-packed dirt, which made her think this was a high-traffic area. “Where does this lead?”

  “This tunnel and several others like it lead between the cabins and to different places in Dragon’s Bluff. Just a little bit farther now.” He rounded a corner.

  Bryn braced herself, producing a fireball in both hands. Around the corner, she found a command post of sorts. Folding tables and chairs took up most of the space. There were cases of bottled water and what looked like canned goods stacked off to the side. The thing Bryn couldn’t take her eyes off of was the blond woman sitting in the corner. Her jeans and T-shirt were streaked with dirt, and there was a scar on her right arm. She looked years older than Bryn remembered.

  “Mom?” Bryn croaked.

  “Oh, baby.” Her mom ran to her and wrapped her in a hug.

  “It’s you?” Bryn clutched at her like she might disappear. “It’s really you?”

  Her mom laughed. “It’s me.” She stepped back but kept her hands on Bryn’s shoulders. “I’m so sorry I couldn’t contact you, couldn’t let you know we were okay, but we barely escaped the bomb and—”

  Tears rolled down Bryn’s face. “We? Dad’s alive?”

  Her mom nodded and wiped at her own tears. “He wanted to come, but he can’t fly anymore.”

  Her heart felt like it would burst with joy, or maybe that was the epinephrine. “What happened?”

  “Onyx contacted us and told us he thought there would be an attempt on our lives. He’d heard rumors of a bomb. Your dad didn’t take him seriously, but we took some precautions. He used a discovery spell on the Christmas presents and when his flame burned dark gray instead of white, we ran for the attic and made it up to the roof just before the bomb went off. I swear your father was only a few seconds behind me, but one of his wings…it’s burned beyond repair. He can still walk with a cane, but he can’t fly.”