Flashfire Read Free Page B

those dragon shape shifter guys on that television show by Melissa Smith?” It had been the story of the year, maybe of the decade, for the world to discover that there were dragon shape shifting men living among them.
    Assuming that a person believed the story.
    Cassie didn’t.
    Stacy nodded. “There was that hot one on YouTube, too. Yum!”
    “This editor wants pictures of one while he’s making the change. Man to dragon. Or the other way around. No Photoshop stuff.”
    Stacy gave her a look. “Do not tell me that you’re taking the job.”
    Cassie shrugged. There was no chance of that. “The shots can only happen if the dragon guys are real.”
    “Well, of course they are! That guy on YouTube was as real as you and me. I saw him!”
    Cassie bit back her skeptical reply as the editor’s answer came in. The offer had doubled, just in those few minutes. It had been a long time since she’d seen so much money flashed around over pictures. The money piqued her interest, if not the work itself. “Doesn’t seem like she’s getting any takers.”
    “Put that thing away. You promised!”
    Cassie read the message again, her gaze lingering on the dollar figure. If anyone could get those shots, it would be her.
    If
the dragon shifters called the
Pyr
were real.
    On the other hand, what if Cassie could prove that they
weren’t
real? That was the most interesting idea she’d had in months.
    “Vacation,” Stacy chided, then spelled out the word.
    “I’m not working.” Cassie insisted. “I left my cameras at home.”
    “Uh-huh.” Stacy was skeptical.
    “Just curious.”
    “Uh-huh. Look—I promise if I see a dragon shifter, I’ll let you know. Now put it away!”
    “If I wanted to work, I could have done it already. I’ve seen Britney Spears and Brad Pitt and George Clooney. Lots of opportunities, but I have no camera.”
    And absolutely no urge to work.
    Which was the strange part. Cassie had never been unmotivated before. Was it burnout? Or something more? She couldn’t help thinking that she’d been warned this would happen—and that her mentor, Wade, would have laughed himself silly if he could see her now.
    Maybe he could, if heaven had a view.
    “Lose the BlackBerry,” Stacy advised. “It’s going to break you.”
    “I like to stay in touch,” Cassie protested by rote.
    “For what? Work you’re not going to take?” Stacy did a fingertip wave. “Hello, my workaholic friend. Why
are
you finally taking a vacation anyway? Have you
ever
taken a vacation? Not that I remember. I just about fell off my chair when you agreed to come with me.” She leaned closer and her eyes narrowed. “There’s more going on than you’re telling me. I’m going to force fancy drinks into you until you confess the truth.”
    “Nothing to tell,” Cassie lied. “I’m here for you.”
    “As if,” Stacy retorted. “You never do anything for less than four reasons.” She pointed at the BlackBerry with challenge in her eyes.
    Cassie deleted the message. She showed the display to her friend. “See? All gone. Temptation denied.” She shoved the device back into the pocket of her jeans.
    “Keep it turned off during the show,” Stacy insisted, and Cassie nodded agreement. “Now, let’s hurry.”
    The offer didn’t leave Cassie’s thoughts as easily.
    A stretch limo drove by and Cassie thought again how odd it was for her to be without a camera. She supposed it was more
real
to just be here, like any other tourist. That thought made her smile.
    “What’s so special about this show again?” she asked, trying to summon a bit of enthusiasm. The shows were starting to blend together.
    “Lorenzo’s
Trial by Fire
,” Stacy said, awe in every syllable. “It’s supposed to be great, absolutely amazing. The tickets were so expensive. The concierge had to get them from a scalper. It’s sold out completely this week.”
    Cassie had the vague sense that she’d heard of this guy. “What does this Lorenzo do for