Epic Escape by Emily Evans Page B

had to stay.”
    “And you, going all crazy on that manager…” Veronica sounded admiring.
    “I can never get those hours back.”
    A nearby vendor hawked his goods on a foldout table and Megan welcomed the distraction. The grizzled man said, “Bargains, bargains over here.”
    Shopping? A bargain? Her feet carried her forward. The table was empty save five items: a golden lasso, a pair of thick bracelets, and three cards. The cards were the size of playing cards: one red, one pink and one blue. “Choose wisely, my lovely,” the vendor said.
    Megan touched each item.
    “Yellow rope.” Chase chose it and the rope independently twined around his wrist. “Cool.”
    Veronica lifted the cards and read aloud. “Telekinesis, super strength, and
    reanimation.” She returned the reanimation and super strength cards to the table. “I get telekinesis.”
    “Super strength?” Megan snatched up the red card. “I want that.”
    Riley picked up the two gold, thick bracelets. “Really? You left me the bracelets?”
    “They suit you.” Chase flicked the pink card at him. “Or you could have the reanimation card.”
    Riley tossed the pink card back. “Bringing things to life. That’s a girl card.”
    “Hey,” Veronica said.
    “You keep the pink one, Chase,” Riley said, “That card’s a girly match for your girly item.”
    Chase held up his arm. He spoke with a deep voice. “This is a rope.”
    “It’s a golden lasso, like Wonder Woman has,” Riley said.
    Chase frowned, tugged at the rope, then shrugged and patted the end back in place. “Like Wonder Woman wished she had.”
    Riley snapped a bracelet on and the metal covered his whole wrist. The sun glinted off the surface. Veronica took the other one and put it on. “I don’t know, I think these are kind of cool. I like silver better than gold, but…” As if magnetized, her bracelet slammed into Riley’s. Clang. With no other warning, the bracelets locked together. Riley frowned and pulled. Veronica’s arm followed. He grasped her hand and tugged. Nothing.
    Chase laughed. “Let me see.” He pulled on each of the bracelets, but he couldn’t make them move, much less separate.
    “Hey, I’m super strength, let me try.” Megan yanked at the bracelets.
    “Ouch. Stop!” Veronica said.
    Riley addressed the vendor. “Let me guess. Bargain bracelets but the key will cost us?”
    “You chose the Bracelets of Anguish. They will release only when you feel true anguish.”
    Riley said, “I think I’m feeling it now.” But he sounded playful, not mad.
    Veronica frowned at the vendor. “Maybe, you should have labeled them or something.”
    The vendor folded his table and scurried away.
    Riley’s blue gaze followed him. “Yep, I’m definitely feeling anguish.”
    “You are not,” Veronica said, “You’re connected to me and you’re smiling. That emotion is happiness.”
    “The anguish is on the inside.”
    Veronica laced her fingers with his. “Let’s find a locksmith.”
    It was as good a plan, as any they’d come up with, so they strolled down the sidewalk. Megan wiggled her free fingers, trying not to feel jealous. She wished she and Chase had chosen the bracelets.
    “I like hearing you sing,” Veronica said.
    Riley looked into her eyes. “Yeah?”
    “Do you know how to play an instrument?”
    Riley pushed her hair behind her ear with his free hand. “Guitar. Piano. Drums.”
    So cute.
    Veronica said, “My mom will hate that I’m dating a musician.” Riley grinned. Veronica reached up and touched the blue in his hair. “Does this wash out?” Riley frowned and didn’t answer. Veronica smiled, turned back to the street, swinging their clasped hands like she didn’t notice Riley’s scowl.
    A roach-like bug hopped over a crack in front of Megan, landing near her foot. She stepped to the side. The bug jumped again, landing on Veronica’s shoe. Megan pointed. “Ew.”
    Veronica jerked backward with a squeal.
    Riley asked, “What?”