by Chloe Gunter
Because that is exactly what Wyatt Ridley and Alexander Shepard were, friends. Best friends.
The pieces clicked together one by one, Wyatt briefly mentioning being adopted when he was a teenager, that faraway look he got when he mentioned how he came to be at GRAVITAS, and finally, the comment that Katya had mentioned Occam had made to her once upon a time, back before everything had been blown to shit.
There was one person on this earth that knew Alexander Shepard better than the rest of us, who might be able to give us insight into where he might go, or what he might do in this scenario. Things that even advanced Atlantean tech couldn't know. Things that could only be learned over time with a hard and fast friendship that seemed to have continued, by Katya's recollection, even after the two had chosen different paths.
And now it was up to me to decide what I wanted to do with this information.
Katya obviously wasn't blind, she knew that Wyatt and I had become friends, probably from the push and pull of the constant challenges or the routine morning runs we took. And although she had known him longer, having come here just a year after him, she still deferred to me on this, for which I was unbelievably grateful.
If anyone else realized this in Ethos, whether in Europe or Asia, I had no doubt they would try for the quickest route of getting the information they wanted, by any means necessary. Who knows how that would fuck with Wyatt.
Regardless of the potential mind wipe, things like that leave a mark. I would know. I'd done it to countless others before, and I'm sure I'd do it to countless more during hostile interrogations. But this was Wyatt, and the only thing he had done 'wrong' was to make friends with another boy who was in a similar situation as him.
"Who was his sponsor?" I asked, a plan formulating in my head.
"Wellington, actually," Reed supplied. "I remember being surprised while reading it and thinking it was odd he didn't even give the Rites a shot."
Nodding my head, I reached out, requesting a link with someone who was no doubt already waiting for me.
So what do you think, Ptichka? Katya answered.
I think I'm about to have a few surly men on my hands, and a reason to try out some ceremonial robes.
I could feel her momentary surprise, the quick calculations in her head that I had done myself moments earlier, before her laughter rolled through my mind, coupled with relief on her end and a bid of luck.
"Charlotte," Ramsey said, pulling my eyes from the tablet to him, noting the way his jaw clenched.
"Just let me sync in with the guys, so we can all be on the same page, okay?" I said, reaching out mentally to Gage and Gavin, both of whom were asleep, as I stood from the table and pressed myself into the middle of Reed and Ramsey, wanting the physical contact.
Ramsey was slightly stiff at first, but put a tentative arm around me and held me firm between himself and Reed.
"I need you to tell me what's going on. Please," he added on a strained whisper.
I knew that he was on his last thread of sanity. The cracks were shining through after Reed's attack and our precarious situation, and I wanted nothing more than to fill them all and smooth them out. But I was about to do the opposite of that, and I just had to pray that they would understand why I had to take the potential risk.
"If someone was offered the Rites, but declined, are they still eligible to be sponsored at a later date?" I voiced aloud and through the link.
Technically yes, although I'm not sure it's ever been done before. Obviously if you fail the Rites, you don't get a redo, but if you've never attempted them before, then you should still be eligible. Gavin's words floated through our group link, and I nodded in acceptance.
What's going on, Baby Bird? Gage asked, his voice thick with sleep.
"Don't you fucking dare, Charlotte," Ramsey hissed, taking a step back from me as if I had burned him.
"Sarge—" I started, but he cut me off with a wave of his hand as he began pacing the room.
"After our conversation the other afternoon you're going to go and pull this shit? Bloody hell, Charlotte. And you wonder why I would be cautious?" Ramsey said, sarcasm dripping off his voice like acid.
Reed moved between us, his presence marking every bit of the combat instructor I knew him to be, his muscles tense and ready.
"Can one of you explain exactly what the fuck is going on?" Reed asked.
"Yes, Charlotte. Why don't you explain to the men you love, one of whom almost died this week, that you're going to put yourself on the line for someone else when your Spark isn't even at full power. God forbid he actually makes it through, and you have to attempt the invitation sequence."
"That would be months away, and my Spark should be replenished by then." I said calmly.
"But that's not a guarantee. It would kill Reed and—"
"Like it almost killed me when he portalled to where you're standing right now? Bleeding out under my hands? You've seen the video. If we don't find the man who did this, if we don't find Occam, then pretty soon we'll all be royally fucked."
I don't know exactly what's going on, but I'm with you on whatever you decide, cara. I trust your judgment. Gavin's words echoed through the link, making Ramsey flinch.
"Just help me understand then, Charlotte. Why do you have to do this?" Ramsey asked, refusing to back down.
"Because I'm probably one of the closest friends he has here, who knows what to say to get him to accept the Rites. Because I need to protect him, Ramsey. He knows him. They were best friends, and not just while they were both here, but back when they were kids..." I trailed off.
Back when his files were completely wiped. Gage chimed in, following my logic. If someone makes that connection, and no doubt they will soon, they're going to stop at nothing to get him.
"But if he's already on our side, then he should be safe. He won't be some type of collateral in the search," I finished as I approached Ramsey.
He pulled me against him, and I pressed my nose to his chest, the smell of bergamot and gun oil filling my lungs. Ramsey had never held me before, and it was as if he was trying to crush me to his chest and never let me go, his arms steel bands around me.
"Damn it, Charlotte. Strategically it makes perfect sense, and I respect that, but if the timing of things doesn't go right, if he doesn't accept the Rites before the rest of Ethos makes the connection, then you won't be able to protect him. You know that right?"
"I know, Sarge."
"Not that I'm not glad to see my two favorite people hugging it out and all," Reed said, "but for the people who just have had a traumatic injury and are a little behind at putting things together, does someone want to explain what the hell is going on?"
Giving Ramsey one last squeeze, I pulled away and faced Reed. I knew the other three understood in large strokes what I was about to do, but laying out the details was another thing. Especially since I knew that Reed and Ridley had a tenuous relationship.
Steeling myself, I looked straight into those emerald green eyes that held curiosity and caution, and said the words that I knew would change my life forever.
"I'm going to sponsor Wyatt Ridley."
Acknowledgments
How are y’all feeling right now?
The Keys was definitely one hell of a ride and the third book, The Flip, is only going to take things to a whole other level.
Before you ask, the tentative release date for that is late Spring 2020. So be sure to join Gunter Grove on Facebook to stay connected for teasers and more info.
Now I have a few people I should mention…
I first need to thank Kat and Lana for being there through it all. Seriously, without you guys this book wouldn’t be what it is today.
Also, a special shout out to Meghan Leigh Daigle with Bookish Dreams Editing for all her hard work on this one!
To my betas who were patient, thanks for being flexible and supportive, I appreciate it from the bottom of my heart.
And lastly, Mr. Gunter, thanks for you l
ove and taking the time to read this one.
Also by Chloe Gunter
Contemporary RH Standalone with Mercy DeSimone
Railed
Railed: Declan’s Playroom (Railed Short)
PNR RH Standalone with Jarica James
A Pinch of Sass
Ethos Society - Secret Society RH Series
The Rites: Ethos Society Part One
The Keys: Ethos Society Part Two
About the Author
Chloe Gunter is an escape room enthusiast who writes books that she would want to read. In her free time, she enjoys her obsession with the holidays and watching too many competition television shows.