hapter 23
“Aurelia Largh’s voice shattered the mount
Aurelia’s body slammed into a issive pine iner, the impart hitting her terlike a freight train. She hit den hand geste blond, enfosing to
She hauled herself upright post as Luigi trashed through the underlamh in reachler.
Christ, arr
re you hurt?” His hands shook as he aimed his flashlight at her, panic written all mer his
Aurelia brushed pine needles and dirt off het jarket, her moments deliberately coul. “Tin fine, Let’s get the wood and head back”
She pushed past
st him and resumed searching for dry branches, her body screaming in protest with every movement.
This was nothing new. She’d taken worse has during training exercises. Making rookie mistakes like losing her fooring was unacceptable,
Luigi stood froze, staring at his empty hands while something twisted painfully in his chest.
It took him several long moments to shake off the shock and follow her, but after that he stayed hyperalert, wanting every shadow for threats.
When they returned to camp, everyone else had the tents up and supplies organized
Isaac took ene look at Aurelia and immediately knew something was wrong. He rushed over and took the firewood from her arms without arding.
“What the hell happened out there?” His voice was razor sharp with concern.
“Nothing serious” Aurelia tried to downplay it, hating being the center of attention.
Luigi couldn’t stay quiet: “We got ambushed by rattlesnakes. Aurelia saved my ass, but she fell down a steep slope in the process.”
Isaac’s face went white as the other students gathered around with worried expressio
The concern in everyone’s eyes made Aurelia’s chest tighten unexpectedly. Really. I’m okay. Just got that fire started–we’re all going to freeze if we don’t warm up soon.”
Isaac immediately barked orders at the others to handle dinner prep while he grabbed the medical kit.
“You’ve got injuries around your ribs. Let me check for internal dange
Aurella stepped back instinctively. “I can handle my own medical care. It’s just some bruising”
She’d patched herself up countless times during tramming. No need for everyone to make a federal case out of it.
Isaac wanted to push, but with everyone watching and Aurelia clearly uncomfortable, he backed off “Tine. But tomorrow you’re staying in camp to recover. I’ll lead the specimen collection”
“Absolutely not.” Aurelia’s response was immediate and firm spotted some promising compounds on our way up here. Im leading this expedition”
She was their TA–sitting around like some delicate flower wasn’t an option.
The next day, both of them led the team through the mountainous terrain, though what Aurelia had spotted turned out to be the wrong chemical compounds entirely,
For the next two weeks, they trekked through the Huachuca Mountains searching for the specific compounds needed for their bepatitis research.
Isaac became Aurelia’s shadow–calling rest breaks when she looked tired handing her water before she asked, having energy bars ready when her blood sugar dropped
The other students started ribbing them percilessly: “Dude, Isaac, are you here to supervise research or to court our TA? You’re basically her personal assistant at this point,”
Base just shrugged and kept his eyes on Aurelia, which made her cheeks burn with embarrassment.
Diana Didina sa Vinum Buckan Phuathina T Shining Golden as a Quren.
Chapter 23
Meanwhile, Luigi was dying inside watching Isaac’s constant deviation, knowing he was poweries to compete with much obvious care and affection
Every gentle gesture felt like another nail in the coffin of any chance he might have had.
Finally, his jealousy boiled mer and be cornered Aurelia da ing a water break.
“Aurelia, you need to be careful with Isaac, I don’t think his intentions are as pure at th
What he really wanted to say was that Isaac was too smooth, too perfect, and that guys like that always had ulterior motives.
Aurelia didn’t even slow down as she walked past him. “My relationships are one of your fucking bminen.”
Luigi grabbed her wrist, desperation making his voice track. “I’m trying in look out for you! Just listen to me for one
“Look out for me?” Aurelia’s laugh was hitter. “Or are you just pissed that someone else actually treats me well
Luigi’s face flushed red with shame and anger, “That’s not. I’m not…
He was struggling to find words when Marelia’s satellite phone suddenly rang, cutting through the mountain ast
“Aurelia, there’s been a family emergency
