Page 28 of Wicked Knight
“Better not. I got a shit load of work for the two of you and the new pledges.”
There’s that, too. Kade and I will be in charge of the new guys—the freshmen.
The two of us make our way outside, grabbing a beer each from the table by the pool. We sit on the wicker chairs at the far end, away from everyone so we can talk in private.
The last time we spoke, we were talking about the future and all the changes that we had to look forward to. There are more for him than me.
He’ll be the first one to get married from our original group—Hades’ Demons. That was what he, Logan, and I called ourselves back in high school.
We christened ourselves the name after one Devil’s night when we went to town with our shenanigans.
We’re still the demons, just older, and now we’ve added Alek to our trio.
It still works. Maybe it’s even better. Alek and I are the tech guys—although Alek’s skills vastly outdo mine. Kade and Logan are the brains and muscle.
Together, we’re as deadly as death.
“So, sophomore year?” Kade says, popping open his drink and taking a swig.
“Sophomore year.It seems like it snuck up on us. Not sure I like that.”
“I know what you mean.” He nods, drumming his fingers on the arm of the chair. “Just as we were getting used to being freshmen, the year ended and we had to move on.”
“Yeah. Now we’re the guys in charge.”
“And we’re officially Knights.”
He flicks his wrist over, showing me his tattoo that looks like mine. The Greek symbol of Sigma. We got those just after we took the Oath.
The Viking Futhark rune tattooed just above it was the first mark we got on our journey to becoming Knights, at sixteen after the Reaping ritual.
“We’ve come a long way. I wonder what we’ll come across next.” I sound a little hopeless. Kade notices and sets his beer down.
“There’s a hell of a lot in the works for us.”
“For you maybe. Have you decided yet about when you and Isabelle will be getting married?”
It was supposed to be after graduation, but over the summer, he mentioned bringing the time forward.
A proud smile spreads across his face. “Next summer, but she doesn’t know yet.”
I return the smile, feeling happy for him. “Next summer, Kade? So, you’ll be getting married before the start of junior year.”
“Yeah. While we were in England over the summer, we were practically living together. It felt that way, and I didn’t see why we needed to wait. There are married students here.”
“Yes. There are a lot of those here,” I fill in, thinking of Caspian and his wife, Willow. They’ve been married for years. I believe they got married when Willow was in her freshman year.
“And a lot of engaged students, like Thorne, who will be married soon.”
I nod, agreeing with him. Thorne and Annika—IsabelleandMackenzie’s friend—are getting married in January. “I have no doubt you and Isabelle can make everything work if you get married next summer.”
“Me too. Nothing has ever felt more right to me. I mentioned it to Caspian, and he said we could have his place when he graduates next year. He and Willow are moving off campus, although she’ll still have a year left. Thorne and Annika are moving off campus, too.”
“Wow, you move fast, bro. You’ve seriously thought about this.” That’s almost scary. I know how he feels about Isabelle, but he’s talking about life-changing things.
“I have moved fast. And I think I’ve decided we’re gonna do it. So, I guess we’ll be having a summer wedding.”
“Can’t wait.”