Page 132 of Ramshackle
Something tickles around my ankle. And then I’m jerked upside down and into the air. “Woah! What the hell?!” A vine is holding me high enough up that I don’t try cutting it. I’m not sure of my flipping and landing skills from this height.
Where did it come from? I’m sure I took care of everything he had.
I follow the vine to the ground, watching it wrap tightly around the edge of the mat to blend in, then to the seed it sprung from at his feet.
I’d been so focused on what was right in front of me that I didn’t even realize he’d snuck that one behind me.
Silaswhoopsexcitedly as his vine gently carries me back to the mat. Kellan bellows with laughter and applauds.
I push back to my feet and circle stray hairs behind my ear. “That was a neat trick, but don’t think I’ll be fooled by it again.”
“We’ll see about that. For now, let’s call it a day. Everyone else has already wrapped up.” Kellan pulls out two water bottles which he passes to me and Silas.
We walk to the benches to catch our breath. Jackson’s leaning against the wall, one foot up and his arms crossed, his piercing blue gaze staring out from the shadow of his hood.
“Why don’t you ever help Kellan train the others? I heard you’re pretty badass,” Silas directs to him.
“The only way I know how to train is the way I was trained,” Jack replies coolly.
“How’s that?”
“He told medon’t die. And then he tried to kill me.”
Silas’s throat bobs. “Oh. Yeah, I’ll pass on that.”
“You ready to go?” Another Guild member walks over, eating what looks like a barbecue skewer. Fabian? “The party starts in a couple hours, and I want to eat before we get ready.”
Silas stretches his arms over his head. “You know there will be food there, right?”
I stare between them.Or the fact that he’s eating right now?
Fabian shrugs. “Party food.”
I look over my shoulder at Kellan. “Explain to me again why the Guild is having a party in the middle of us attacking GE’s bases while they’re actively trying to kill or kidnap everyonehere.Andafter we kidnapped and locked up one of their zombies?”
Kellan chuckles. “Because we don’t let GE control our lives, and if we want to have a good time, then we’ll have it.”
“Because it’s a tradition!” Fabian cheers.
Silas caps his water and stands. “These parties were started to bring us all together. It’s a celebration of the Guild and its members.”
“Wasn’t that the party around Christmas?” I ask.
“That’s the biggest one that we combine with the holidays. But it’s similar,” Kellan answers. “You’ll love it. It has the big three.” I give him a questioning look, and he drawls, “Music, alcohol, and dancing. Your favorite.”
Ha!
He’s not wrong.
Fabian and Silas wave goodbye as they leave first. I pause while gathering my things when I realize something. “I don’t have anything to wear.”
“Aiden already has something for you lying on your bed.”
Of course, he has.
I chew on my cheek to bite back a smile.
“You guys go ahead. I want to stop by to see Charles first.”
