Page 25 of Surge of Fire

“Did you get any nibbles last night?”

I laugh. “Not exactly.”

She makes a comically shocked face. “With those knockers? There’s no way.”

“I might have the knockers, but you have the ass,” I tease.

Dahlia always seems to think that because she’s on the flatter side, I have some huge advantage, but we’ve both got traits that the other one loves. I’ve even been tempted a time or two to dye my red locks her dark shade. Just the idea of blending in a little has its own appeal.

“I do have a nice ass,” she says, smacking it and grinning. “Still, I don’t believe there was no one sniffing around you. I mean, there’s what? Five guys to every girl up here. Even the ones hit with an ugly stick are going to get laid this summer.”

It’s hard to hold back my groan at her outrageousness. “Well, there’s this Will guy who seems like he could be fun, but Aydan had to get all overprotective on me and ruin it.”

“And there’s no chemistry with Aydan?” she asks, lifting a brow.

I wrap my arms around myself, suddenly feeling the chill, even in my jacket. “I don’t know. Last night there was a minute where I thought there might have been… something, but I think it was just in my head. No matter what I do, I just can’t seem to get Aydan to really see me. You know?”

She bumps my shoulder with her own. “If he doesn’t see you, then forget about him. Just have fun with Will, or whoever else comes along.”

It’s good advice.

We reach the gate that takes us out of the Phoenix Institute and then hurry until we see the archway with Phoenix Sanctuary written across it. There’s a little white brick building here, covered in vines, just like the rest of the place. This is where we’re supposed to meet, so we linger outside, the first to arrive.

“So, do you think I have to touch animals here?”

I laugh. “I would think so.”

“You definitely will.”

We both stiffen as Doctor Hannah Abigail emerges from the trees to our side. My brain suddenly freezes, and I study her. She’s carrying a cage with a towel thrown over it. She’s wearing long jeans and a tank-top with a dark jacket. Her dark hair, weaved with gray, is in a long ponytail that’s thrown over one shoulder, and she has the air of someone who’s been awake for hours.

She sets the cage down and stretches out her hand to shake mine. “Samantha Callaway, it’s good to meet you.”

“You know who I am?” I’m a little star-struck.What is it with these professors knowing the names of random students?

Tilting her head, she studies me. “Of course I know who you are. I handpicked you. Out of all the students here, you’re one of my top contenders to work with me after your graduation.” She smirks, probably when she sees my shocked expression. “Don’t look surprised. Your grades are phenomenal, your internships, jobs, and volunteer positions are all in line with someone who genuinely enjoys working with animals. And none of that takes into account your essay recounting your experiences caring for animals even as a young child.”

I’m too shocked to be flattered. “I really want to work here.”

Her smirk gentles to a smile. “So do a lot of you, so make sure you’re as impressive as I’ve been led to believe.” Then she turns to my friend. “Dahlia Romero. You plan to be a game warden.We could use more of them that actually give two shits about the wildlife.”

“That’s why I’m here,” Dahlia says confidently.

I’m not sure what else the doctor planned to say, but the other students arrive in a pack, and then she takes us, and her cage, into the building. She introduces us to the many incredible people that she works with. Many of whom I’d read a considerable number of papers by. She also shows us around her lab, pointing out such expensive pieces of equipment that, unless we get jobs here, none of us were likely to ever see again.

She sets the cage down in the back of the lab. “You two,” she says, pointing to two students. “You’re with Dr. Potter. You three,” she indicates three more students, “you’re with Dr. Synx.” Then she waves over a doctor that has just entered the building. “And Dr. Reynolds, can you give these four a tour of the sanctuary?” He nods and they head toward him, including Dahlia.

I’m the only one left, and I’m starting to get nervous.

“You haven’t been forgotten,” she says, as if she knows exactly what I was thinking. “Do you have your phone on you?”

I nod and pull my phone off my toolbelt.

She snatches it before I say a word and starts typing away. I try to wrack my brain about the last time I took stupid drunk pictures of myself, then pray the good doctor has more to do than go through my pictures. “There,” she says, and hands it back.

I see a new app on my phone. “Laser Tracker.” My mouth drops. “Is this an app that connects to the laser tracker that you developed?”

She grins. “The very one.”

---