Thirty-Two
We pick our way through tangled, overgrown bushes along the bank of the topmost Wishbone River as the sun moves closer to the horizon. “Your team is … interesting,” I say to Chase, keeping my voice low so Ana and Kobe, walking a little way behind us, won’t hear.
“It’s your team now too,” Chase says. “Unless you’ve changed your mind. You haven’t gone through the initiation blood ritual, so technically you’re not bound to us yet.”
My steps slow as I frown up at him. “Blood ritual?”
His straight face breaks into a grin. “I’m kidding.”
“Darn.” I manage to keep myself from cracking a smile. “Here I was looking forward to spilling my blood as a way of demonstrating my commitment.”
“If that’s how you’d like to prove your commitment, I have no doubt you’ll soon get the chance.” Hi
