Page 42 of Remnants
I slide from his back. I’ve barely stepped up next to Jack before he tucks me into his side, his fingerless-gloved hand holding my opposite hip.
The man—Gregor—looks at me, and Jack’s arm around me tightens. He flips a blade out, toying with it in one hand and then pointing it at him. “Careful,” he warns huskily. His voice is dark and threatening this time, and Gregor visibly swallows. He eyes the knife, then Jackson, purposefully keeping his gaze from mine now.
What the hell?
“I let York know you’re here.”
Jackson nods, then guides us to the door without another word. I wait until we’re inside before whispering to him, “Do you not like that guy?” I’m used to Jack keeping back and quiet when we’re around others, not actively threatening them. At least, not people who are potential allies.
He smirks, and it’s a cold twist of his lips that I see only becausehe’s angled his face my way. “I don’t like anyone when it comes to you. Aside from the others,” he adds about Aiden and the rest. “If you don’t want me to murder everyone in the room, stay by my side. No more disappearing.”
I frown. “If it comes to a fight, I’m not hiding behind you like some damsel on your arm. I thought you understood that.”
“Fight whoever you want, little one. Just don’t go far, or else I’ll kill anyone standing between me and you. GE or not.”
Oh. Well then.
We arrive at another guarded door, but this time, the guy there opens it for us without a word, his eyes staring holes into the floor. I don’t comment on this one, just letting Jackson guide us down the stairs to the Pits. A fight is already in progress in the large cage, with people cheering on their side from the standing tables covered in drinks and cash. It’s not nearly as crowded as when Kellan had taken me here, but it’s still early. Do we wait until the peak of the night to tell everyone?
Jackson brings us to one of the tables in the back, grabbing a stool from the nearby wall and setting it next to me. I gratefully take the seat, then scan the crowd for familiar faces.
The kid I’d fought some months ago—Knight—is here. York is standing to the side of the cage where he usually is, collecting bets and emceeing the gifted melee.
Jack nudges me, and I follow his gaze to the other three of our group walking down the stairs.
“Kell!” I shout, waving my hand in the air and standing on the bar toward the base of the stool for added height.
He’s already taller than most of the crowd and spots me easily, grinning and striding to our table with the others following behind.
“Any sign of GE?” Aiden asks, and Jack shakes his head. “Good. Kell, let’s go chat with York to make our announcement.” He casts a look at Jackson, who nods, then shares another look with me and Dane. “Stay here.”
Fuck’s sake.
Dane scoffs, rolling his eyes and folding his arms on the table.
Sighing, I lean on my hand and watch them leave. As annoyed as I want to be with them for their overprotectiveness, I recall what Jackson said to me. It’s not about whether they think we can fight or not, which is how I originally took it.
They’re still not over how fast Dane and I vanished on them. I’m not even sure how I made it in time to grab Dane, and I’m so fucking grateful my reaction time was quick enough. What might have happened if it had been only him?
Now you’re thinking like them.
The worst part was not having a healer immediately available for our injuries. Cassandra’s injury is a stark reminder that we can’t rely on her for everything. We need another healer. Or a gifted person who’s also some sort of medic or doctor, at least.
“Aaaand Crusher takes the win!” York booms in the speakers. “Everyone sit tight for a second. A good friend of mine has an announcement to make.”
He passes the mic to Aiden, who surveys the room while it takes a minute for everyone to quiet. “I’ll make this short and to the point...You’re all in danger.”
Murmurs spread through the crowd, raising in volume, while a few shout at him for interrupting their fun.
Dane turns on them, looking like he’s ready to say something, and I put my hand over his fist on the table. “Let Aiden finish. If they don’t want to come, then it’s not on us to convince them.”
He frowns but doesn’t argue, flipping his hand around to capture mine and then nodding. “You’re right.”
“A group called Gifted Enterprise is searching for individuals with special abilities, like all of us, to kidnap and brainwash to follow their orders. It has come to my attention that they’ve discovered this location, and it’s only a matter of time before they arrive. If you want to put your fighting skills to good use, then join us at the Guild. There will be a place to stay and onsite training. If you wish to hide or walk away from this place, then you’re welcome to that as well. But you can’t stay here.”
A voice rises from the room. “And who says we can trust you?”
“Me.” Kellan steps forward from the shadows of the stage. He widens his stance, crossing his arms and frowning at the crowd. “I’ll be training anyone who joins us, but don’t expect anything easy. You’re going to fight to take down a group that’s been hurting people like us for a long time. It’s a fight worth having if you’ll join us.”
