Scorch: A Paranormal Shape Shifter Romance (The Tribe Series) by Terra Wolf, Ally Summers

as the guy in front of us held the door open. It appeared he was alone. “You ever heard of that Zac guy?”
    I felt the blast of air conditioning rush past us.
    “No. Never.”
    She laughed. “Funny since he’s a local expert.” She used air quotes.
    I looked over the list of presenters. “Have you ever been to one of these things?”
    She shook her head. “No, I haven’t. Not really my thing.”
    The guy holding the door turned. “They’re pretty cool. You should check it out.” He adjusted a baseball cap over his eyes.
    “Really? What do they do there?” I asked.
    “It’s fun. I used to go when I was a kid. There are all kinds of stories. It’s the town’s history. It’s not just the scary stuff.”
    Vix snorted. “We don’t scare easily.”
    “Not saying you do, but it’s cool. If you’re into that sort of thing.”
    “Maybe we’ll check it out,” I suggested.
    Vix edged closer to him. Her nose twitched. “Are you into that sort of thing?”
    “Yeah. I’m an English major, and my professor said we could get a few bonus points on the final exam if we go. I already bought my tickets.”
    “Ahh, so that’s really why you’re going,” she teased.
    “No, I think hearing the legends is cool. There’s some kind of tour set up this year. They’re going to look for the Ghost of the Forest. Rumor is she’s back in town.”
    My eyes widened. “Back? What do you mean look for her?”
    He shoved his hands in his pockets. “It’s just superstitious shit. It’s not like they’re really going to find anything.”
    “Yeah, but we’re interested,” Vix pressed. She pulled her dark hair over one shoulder and braided the ends. “How are they going to look for her?”
    “I don’t know. Maybe you should come with me.” He cracked a smile.
    “I don’t even know your name.”
    “It’s Jason.”
    She dropped the braid she had threaded. “All right. I’ll go.”
    I shoved her in the side. “Vix.”
    “What? I think it will be fun.” She turned toward him.
    “Let me get your number.” Jason pulled out his phone.
    “I’m Vix.” She grinned.
    What in the hell was going on? My roommate had managed to snag a date in the middle of a potential crisis. I waited while they exchanged numbers.
    “You know you have the greenest eyes I’ve ever seen.” He studied her face. She didn’t shy away from the attention.
    “Thanks. Yours are pretty too.”
    I looked at him. He had light brown eyes. I didn’t see anything there, but she was obviously trying to repay the compliment.
    He caught me staring. “Whoa. Your eyes are green too. Like green-green.”
    I shoved a pair of sunglasses on my face. “I have colored contacts.”
    “Oh. Yeah. Makes sense.” His forehead was still scrunched in confusion.
    Jason was next in line at the counter. He ordered his food and Vix waved goodbye.
    “I can’t believe you are going out with a total stranger.”
    “A cute stranger.” She smiled at him. He was sitting one table over from where we ordered.
    “Not the point. We’re going to need to be—” I looked around. “—on patrol this weekend. How are you going to do that if you’re at the festival?”
    The woman at the counter cleared her throat. “Can I get you girls something?”
    I rested the sunglasses on top of my hair, pushing my long strands to frame my face. “Sorry, sorry.” I ordered my grilled cheese and soda, paid at the register, and waited for Vix to join me. I chose a table at the opposite end of the grill from Jason.
    A few minutes later, armed with a pile of napkins, Vix slid into the booth.
    “Are you really mad, Dare?”
    “I just don’t like it when you don’t think.”
    “I did think about it. He’s cute. He asked me out. I’m going.” She bit into her burger. “Unless you’re telling me I can’t.”
    “I thought about it.”
    “What? You’d actually forbid me from going out with him?” Her voice was frantic.
    “Maybe.” I didn’t mind making her squirm for