Fanning the Flames (Going Down in Flames) Read online

  Mr. Stanton, the head of the Green clan and the Elemental Science teacher, entered the room followed by an older man and a young woman.

  “I’d like to start by letting our volunteers introduce themselves. And to alleviate any concerns, you should know that showing up here today doesn’t mean you have to go through with the bonding. We’d like to give all of you time to acquaint yourselves and figure out what you’re comfortable with. We understand this process isn’t to be taken lightly.”

  The man with sad brown eyes and silver hair cleared his throat. “I’m George. I lost my daughter when Dragon’s Bluff was attacked. Now my grandchildren have to grow up without their mother.” He coughed and looked down at his wrinkled hands. “I’m old. If we were going into battle, I wouldn’t volunteer because I probably wouldn’t be much use in a fight, but I can help you find doors and information.”

  Well, hell. Bryn had known the citizens of Dragon’s Bluff had suffered losses, but the abstract idea of loss didn’t do justice to the grief radiating off this man. Bryn sniffled and blinked her eyes trying to keep tears at bay. Valmont put his arm around her shoulders. She noticed he was blinking a lot, too.

  “Thank you for sharing your story, George.” Mr. Stanton pointed at the young red-haired woman.

  “Mary is my name.” Arms wrapped around her rib cage, her tone was clipped and tightly controlled. “I lost my brother. My baby brother. That’s why I’m here.”

  “The tragedies these two and many other families in Dragon’s Bluff have faced, is why we are here to try and ensure something like this cannot happen again,” Mr. Stanton said. “If we can recover artifacts and keep the enemy from obtaining weapons, we might be able to prevent future attacks.”

  Jaxon stood and adjusted his shirt cuffs. Maybe that was the Westgate version of nervous fidgeting. He approached George and held out his hand. “My name is Jaxon. I’m sorry for your loss.”

  George shook his hand. “Thank you. You’re the Speaker’s son, aren’t you?

  Jaxon nodded. “I am. If you’re interested, I’d like to work with you.”

  “That’s why I’m here,” George said. “So how do we do this?”

  Mr. Stanton joined them. He pulled two syringes from his pocket. “The clear syringe contains the venom of a spider. It’s not immediately lethal, but left untreated the victim would sicken and die. This blue vial contains anti-venom which if given immediately after the venom should curb the symptoms to a mild headache.”

  “Should cure the symptoms. What if you calculated the dosage wrong? Couldn’t someone throw a knife at him instead?” Bryn asked. “George could step in front of him holding a shield. No weird venom necessary.”

  “Your concern for my well-being is touching, but I’m sure the Greens figured out the exact dosage.” Jaxon scowled at the syringes with suspicion. “Still, the simplest solution is often the best, so let’s try Bryn’s idea first.”

  “Give me a moment.” Mr. Stanton left the room and returned with a scalpel and a metal tray.

  Valmont raised his hand. “Can I volunteer to throw the scalpel at Jaxon? For purely scientific reasons, of course.”

  Jaxon muttered something under his breath, which Bryn didn’t catch.

  Mr. Stanton held the blade out to Valmont. “I know you’re used to a sword, but this is rather sharp.”

  “Got it.” Valmont held up the slim instrument. “George, whenever you’re ready.”

  George stood next to Jaxon and held the tray like a shield. “Count down from three.”

  “Okay.” Valmont said. “Three, two, one.” Valmont flung the scalpel. George thrust the tray in front of Jaxon. The scalpel made a ringing sound as metal hit metal, and then it ricocheted to the floor.

  Jaxon stood there like he was waiting for something to happen. George tilted his head to the side. “I don’t feel any different, so I don’t think that worked.”

  “Maybe the magic knew Valmont couldn’t really kill Jaxon with a scalpel,” Bryn suggested.

  “I do have my sword,” Valmont indicated the blade strapped to his thigh.

  “I think it’s time for spider venom,” Jaxon said like he hadn’t heard Valmont’s comment. He unbuttoned his right shirt cuff and rolled up his sleeve. He tapped the vein so it stood out.

  “I think we’ll shoot this into your shoulder.” Mr. Stanton said, “and then George can administer the anti-venom into your blood-stream.”

  “Fine.” Jaxon unbuttoned his shirt, pushing it back far enough so Mr. Stanton could access his deltoid. After the shot, he calmly buttoned his shirt and then held his arm out to George.

  With steady hands, George tapped the vein in Jaxon’s forearm and administered the medication. “That should fix everything,” he said. They all stared and waited.

  Sweat beaded on Jaxon’s forehead. Rhianna moved forward to join him. “Are you all right?”

  “I feel feverish,” Jaxon said. “Nothing to worry about.”

  Rhianna pointed at George. “How do you feel?”

  “Nothing so fa—” He stopped speaking, and his eyes, which had been full of sorrow, now seemed full of purpose. He stood taller, straightening his shoulders. “I think it worked. It feels like I drank a pot of coffee, and I have the strangest sensation that I should be wearing my sword.”

  Valmont chuckled. “It will feel like it’s a part of you now.”

  “I brought mine as instructed and turned it over to Mr. Stanton.”

  “Allow me.” Mr. Stanton walked over to a box on the side table and retrieved a sword in a brown leather scabbard. “I believe this is yours.”

  “Yes.” George wrapped the belt around his waist and unsheathed the sword, which gleamed in the conference room light. “I polished it before I came.” He turned the sword back and forth so the light reflected off the fine edge.

  Jaxon pushed to his feet. “I think it’s time for a trip to the library.”

  “I’d appreciate it if you’d wait for the rest of our group.” Mr. Stanton moved over to Mary.

  Ivy stepped forward. “I’d be happy to work with you.”

  “Fine by me.”

  They repeated the steps with the venom and anti-venom.

  Mary stood straighter after the latent spell in her blood was activated. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “It feels like a weight has been lifted off my chest and I can breathe again.”

  “I believe this is yours.” Mr. Stanton passed her a sword in a cream-colored scabbard, and she strapped it around her waist.

  “Didn’t anyone else volunteer?” Rhianna asked.

  “Since this is uncharted territory, I thought it best to start off small.”

  “That makes sense.” Rhianna leaned over and whispered to Bryn. “Plus, it will annoy Ferrin that I didn’t follow his orders, so it’s a win-win.”

  “I’m oddly proud of you for that last thought,” Bryn whispered back.

  Mr. Stanton clapped his hands to gain everyone’s attention. “Now, if you’ll follow me, we’re going to adjourn to the library where Bryn and Valmont will demonstrate how this magic works. Please do not be alarmed. They have undergone this procedure many times and, as you can see, they are both quite well.”

  Springing this level of weirdness on them didn’t feel right. “Why don’t Valmont and I explain before we go? That way, if you have questions, we can answer them here.”

  “Since the magic of the bond between a dragon and his knight is in their blood, literally,” Valmont said, “there are certain spells that can be performed using Blood Magic.”

  Bryn stepped in, since she was the one who actually bled during the ceremony. “I give myself what amounts to the mother-of-all-papercuts on Valmont’s sword. The drops of blood roll down the blade, touch the wall, and reveal a door.”

  “How’d you figure that out?” Mary asked.

  “There was a clue above the door,” Bryn said. “Only those who have given their all may enter. Those who have taken everything must give to see.” />
  “Doesn’t paint us in a very flattering light, does it?” Jaxon said.

  “I think it refers to the fact that knights give up the life they had before to defend their dragon, if necessary,” Valmont said. “And the dragons do take over the knight’s life.”

  “As opposed to rejecting them?” Jaxon asked.

  “If someone was willing to give their life to defend a dragon,” Clint said, “and the dragon blew them off… awkward.”

  “Just like this situation has become,” Bryn said. “So, what’s next?”

  “I faint at the sight of blood,” Mary admitted, breaking the tension.

  Ivy made a noise like she was thinking. “Hmmmm…you could close your eyes and I’ll tell you when it’s okay to look.”

  “And I go everywhere she goes,” Clint said, “So I’ll catch you, if you faint.”

  “Problem solved.” Mary rolled her eyes.

  Ivy laughed. “You’re going to fit right in.”

  They trekked across campus to the library where Miss Enid waited for them in the supplies room behind the front desk. The trap door, which led down to the vaults, was already open. Red dragons stood guard in the room, which was mildly disturbing, but after everything that had happened at the Valentine’s Day Dance, having security around was probably a good idea.

  “I’ll stay here while you go down,” Miss Enid said. “Come get me if you find anything interesting.”

  Bryn and Valmont went down the winding stone staircase first. The stairs were so narrow they had to walk single file. Valmont explained the stairs were more than likely built that way so any battles fought would have to be one on one, which would make the entrance to the vaults easier to defend. Hopefully, they’d never have to test that theory.

  Once they had all made it down the steps and assembled in the archive room with the giant and totally unhelpful card catalog, Valmont pressed his sword to the wall where they had discovered the hidden room. Bryn ran her pointer finger down the blade of his sword, being careful not to flinch even though the cut stung. The drops of blood rolled down the blade to the wall, and the door appeared. Anyone who had not yet witnessed this, gasped.

  Since Rhianna and Jaxon had been here before, they stood to the side. Rhianna chewed her bottom lip while Jaxon watched her every move. It was the first time they’d revisited this area since the night of the attack…since Zane’s death. Jaxon was probably concerned for Rhianna’s mental state.

  “Now that you’ve seen how the door was discovered, you have a more thorough and disturbing understanding of what we ask of you,” Mr. Stanton clasped his hands behind his back. “The only way to find the hidden doors is to repeat the blood magic ritual. It’s up to you to decide how many times you feel like trying this. If it’s only once, that is acceptable.”

  Jaxon pointed into the room. “We know there is a Blue door back here.”

  “You’re correct. We should probably start there. Two guards will investigate the tunnel once you open it,” Mr. Stanton said, “so please do not enter. We don’t know if our enemies are guarding it from their side.”

  That put a new twist on the situation. Bryn hated to think someone was waiting to ambush them.

  George followed Jaxon into the room and over to the right hand wall.

  Maybe it was Bryn’s imagination, but she could swear there were still dark spots on the wall where blood had splattered during the battle. She shivered.

  “Cold?” Valmont put his arm around her shoulders.

  “No.” She leaned into his solid warmth. “But this feels nice.”

  George put his sword to the wall where Jaxon indicated. Without betraying he felt anything, Jaxon slid his left pointer finger down the blade. As before, when the blood touched the wall, a door appeared. Jaxon studied the door, like he wanted to open it, but then he stepped aside to allow one of the Red guards to take his place. The second guard stood behind him like he was ready to take on any enemy who might try to come through the door. The first guard placed his hand on the door, hesitated a moment, and then pushed it open.

  Bryn held her breath, listening for any telltale sounds of battle or discovery. All was quiet. The guard peered into the room beyond and then entered the hall. A moment later he stuck his head back into the doorway. “It appears to be empty. We’re going to investigate. First, close the door to make sure we can open it from this side.”

  That’s how the main room worked, but Bryn understood why they wouldn’t want to assume all doors worked the same way. Being trapped in a tunnel underneath the library didn’t seem like a fun way to spend the day.

  The door closed, and the wall returned to being a wall. Then the door appeared again as the guard pushed it open from the inside. His face showed relief. “We’re good.”

  “Mary and Ivy,” Mr. Stanton said, “if you’d try next, please.”

  “Where?” Ivy asked looking around the room.

  “Anywhere but there.” Mr. Stanton pointed to where the Blue door had been.

  “That’s helpful.” Mary pointed at the opposite wall. “Let’s start over there and work our way around.”

  “No.” Clint pointed at the back wall between two display cases housing daggers and decorative boxes. “If there’s a door, it will be there.”

  “What makes you think that?” Ivy asked.

  “The display cases have lightning bolts etched into the sides.” Clint walked over and traced the tiny zigzag lines with his fingertips.

  “Good eye.” Ivy moved closer and checked out the carving. “I think Clint’s right. We should start here.”

  “Sounds good to me.” Mary placed the tip of her sword on the wall. Ivy slid her pointer finger down the blade, hissing against the pain “Wow. That stung more than I expected. Like a paper-cut times ten.”

  The red droplets hit the wall, and the outline of a door shimmered and became solid.

  “I have the smartest boyfriend ever.” Ivy grinned.

  Clint reached for the door.

  “Or not.” Mary smacked his hand away from the door. “We’re supposed to let the guards go first. Remember?”

  “Thank you, Mary.” Mr. Stanton gestured that they should move aside. A Red guard reached for the door handle.

  “Stop,” Bryn shouted.

  Everyone turned to her. “Sorry, but did anyone tell the guards not to touch or move any objects they might find in display cases?”

  Thank you for your concern,” Mr. Stanton said. “But they were fully briefed.”

  “Maybe you should fill the rest of us in,” Mary said.

  “The cases are protected by clan magic,” Mr. Stanton said. “If a dragon or knight of a different clan tries to touch or move an object not meant for them, they are shot with darts dosed with lethal poison.”

  “Okay, then.” Mary stuck both her hands in her pockets. “No touching the shiny objects.”

  “Just when you think things can’t get any stranger around here,” Clint said. “They always do.”

  The guard opened the door. When nothing jumped out at him, he entered the Black dragon doorway and lit braziers on the wall. Rather than accessing a tunnel like the Blue door, this one seemed to open up into a room similar to the one they stood in.

  Shelves lining the back wall were stacked two deep with boxes and books. A display case covered with a tarp took up most of the left wall. A small rectangular library table sat pushed against the right wall. Every surface in the room was liberally coated with dust.

  Bryn edged toward the doorway. “Can we investigate, since it’s a room, not a tunnel?”

  “Why don’t we let Miss Enid clean it up first?” Mr. Stanton suggested. “She’ll best know how to preserve any items or books for the library.”

  “Would you like me to go find her?” Bryn knew the librarian would be thrilled to have more books to search through. Plus, the faster Miss Enid worked, the sooner Bryn could investigate.

  “Take your knight with you,” Mr. Stanton said.

  “A
s if I’d let her go anywhere without me.” Valmont had been assigned as her personal bodyguard after the last attempt on her life. While she didn’t need a babysitter, it had ended up being a good thing. They’d grown closer and fallen in love. A fact they had to keep hidden from all but a select few friends.

  “I have a question,” Clint said. “I know the door to this room was clan specific, only a Black dragon could open it, but what about the door that leads into this main room? Could a dragon of any color open it, or is it hybrid specific?”

  “Interesting question.” Mr. Stanton tapped his chin like he was in deep thought. “Bryn, while you and Valmont retrieve Miss Enid, we’ll see if Jaxon and George are capable of opening the main door.”

  “I want to stay and see that,” Bryn said. “We’ll get Miss Enid afterwards.”

  “Why do you want to stay?” Valmont asked.

  “I never thought about the door being meant for hybrids only,” Bryn said. “That would put an interesting spin on things.”

  Clint pointed at himself. “Who’s the smartest person in the room now?”

  Ivy laughed and grabbed his hand, tugging him toward the door. “Come on. Let’s see what happens.”

  They exited the main room so they were back in the room with the card catalog. Jaxon seemed irritated that all eyes were on him, which was odd, since he normally didn’t mind being the center of attention. When he slid his finger down George’s sword and the door appeared, he sighed in relief. “If the door was hybrid specific, it would’ve meant a much bigger conspiracy than we already knew we were facing.”

  Chapter Three

  After collecting Miss Enid, Bryn bounced on the balls of her feet, waiting while the librarian investigated the new room. Miss Enid used her air magic to blow dust and mouse droppings into the far corner. Then she started in with her restoration kit, using brushes and cloths to further clean the books and boxes.

  Something sparkly caught Bryn’s attention. “What was that?”