“Admirable.” Charles sniffled. No compliment had ever sounded less authentic.
Clearing his throat, Charles clicked a key on the laptop. The storm footage vanished. A PowerPoint appeared, displaying a list of merits and/or traits he deemed necessary to earn a position on his show.
Included among them were years of experience, outside qualifications or specialties in the field, charisma and stage presence, articulation and expressiveness, must be personable, and be able to educate an audience by comfortably dictating theprocess of a chase while explaining the science behind certain decisions.
The final point read simply:Must look good on camera. Photogenic.
Charles gave everyone a minute to read before he spoke. “All right. Consider this a group interview. I have five slots and ten—” He frowned and performed a silent head count, lips moving and pointing as he went around the table. “Nine contenders?” He checked his paperwork.
Ozrik’s hand shot into the air, but he didn’t wait to be called on to speak. “I’m sorry. Can you clarify something for me? You said you’re looking for a five-manteam.”
“Person,” Olivia cut in, rolling her eyes.
Ozrik glared at my sister. “Person. My bad. No disrespect, Liv.”
“Oh, I’m sure.”
“I want it on record that we are five people. We’re down a member today. Elliott had a work obligation, but Twisted Fates is a group of five. Always has been, always will be.”
Addressing my sister, he asked, “Should I assume the lovely Wind Riders have increased their numbers to five as well?” His gaze flicked to me, eyes glittering with that devilish smile I’d seen a few times. Me, the wild card. The unknown factor. How did I fit, he wanted to know.
“Yes,” Roe said for Olivia. “Gale is a new addition. The Wind Riders are officially five.”
The objection sat on the tip of my tongue, but I swallowed it. For Olivia’s sake.
Ozrik continued to stare. My cheeks burned.
“I see.” Still sizing me up and down like I was a science project, Ozrik continued. “So, we’re five, and they’re five.”Finally, he moved his attention to Charles, and I could breathe again. “Do thesequalifications”—he added air quotes—“pertain to thegroup as a whole? As in, you’ll pick either Twisted Fates or Wind Riders for the show?”
“No.” Dennis got to his feet, jacket flaring as he propped his hands on his hips. “We considered that, but due to differing opinions, we’ve decided on a blend. The five best candidates will form a new team. Stormz Rising.”
A lengthy pause filled the room as the information hung in the air.
5
Ozrik
Dennis’s words hit like an aluminum baseball bat to the solar plexus, knocking the wind from me and upending the hope I’d woken with that morning. He wanted toblendthe groups? As in break up Twisted Fates? As in mix and match and create something new?
Fuck no.
Absolutely not.
Impossible.
“You can’t break up the team.” Vern’s protest cut into the silence.
“I can, and I will, unless you aren’t interested in this opportunity any longer, in which case, please see yourself out.” Dennis motioned to the door.
Vern didn’t move.
No one moved.
No one spoke as reality sank in.
Olivia’s group seemed equally perplexed by the revelation.
Dennis continued. “There are plenty of other tornado chasers out there. They may not have the following or the fame, but I can change that. With my help, this new team will rise above the mediocre celebrity status you’ve acquired. It will pay for better equipment. For travel expenses. No more limitations. Hell, if bad weather arises in Nebraska, I can put you on a plane, gear and all, and have you boots on the ground in no time.
