I shifted on my feet. “I…well…I could have a lesson written up, or my answers ready to go…or something. This”—I waved a hand—“prize…it’s quite open-ended.”
“That’s the entire point, sunshine.”
“Why didn’t you offer yourself for an interrogation?”
He laughed. “It’s not an interrogation. And I didn’t offer myself because you know much more than I do. Besides, this is all part of my plan to help you find your fun. You need to relax and go with the flow.”
Ididn’t think I'd ever ‘gone with the flow’ in my entire life. But I knew it was pointless to argue with Liam.
“Well then,” I started, but a sudden wave of dizziness overcame me and I swayed.
Liam lurched forward, catching my arm. “Sit down,” he urged, guiding me to the bench. He retrieved a canteen and held it out. “Drink.”
I took a sip and Liam sat next to me. I let out a breath. “Thank you.”
“Are you okay?”
“Yes. I think I’m still struggling with some mild effects from the spider venom.”
“What can I do to help?” His face was concerned, his green eyes intense behind those wire frames.
“Actually…I brought along some ollefrass tea. Research has shown it helps with recovery from envenomation. Would you get it for me? It’s in my bag, in my tent.”
“If it helps with that, why wouldn’t Ivan have some on hand already?”
“It’s not widely known. The studies are still ongoing, but the early results are promising.”
“See? I was correct. You do know more than I.” Liam stood. “Stay right here. I’ll be back and will make you some tea.”
He gently squeezed my shoulder as he walked away.
It was refreshing seeing the softer side of Liam. The way he vigilantly watched me, as if prepared I would fall or pass out again. How he didn’t hesitate to retrieve what I needed. The genuine worry on his face as I recovered. Beneath the gregarious, disorderly professor, was a kind and gentle man.
I found it intriguing.
We’d beenin the jungle for an hour, hiking through thick brush. Bright yellow bell-shaped flowers hung above us, neon green bees darting in between each bloom. I made sure to watch my every step, my fear of venomous creatures even more heightened than before.
It had been two days since the scavenger hunt. Sylvie won, just barely, and I had felt so badly about Aaric missing out, I ended up spending the rest of the evening sitting with both of them, answering their questions and explaining various research projects I had been a part of.
The entire time Liam handed me water, made me tea, and ensured I was eating. It was incredibly sweet, but I knew the guilt of my spider bite had likely driven him to it.
I pulled a handkerchief from my pocket and dabbed the sweat from my brow, my lightweight shirt doing little to keep me cool in the oppressive heat and humidity.
“We’re approaching the cave,” Ivan called from the front of the party. “We should be there in a few minutes.”
“This is so exciting, isn’t it?” Aaric said as he pushed through the group and joined Dr. Rosenshield at the front of the party.
I glanced at Emberly, who was smiling. “He’s a nice young man. How long has he been working in your lab?”
“Just a couple of months. He’s very dedicated. Promising.”
Emberly pushed a long black curl behind her shoulder. “And Sylvie’s interesting.”
“She’s passionate. But easily distracted and never knows when to stop talking.”
Emberly looked over her shoulder at Sylvie and Liam behind us. “She follows Pendragon around like a lost puppy, doesn’t she?”
I gave a small laugh. “Indeed.”
