Page 114 of Gratification in Gluttony

The Pyclon’s tail curled around his feet as he shrugged nonchalantly. “I don’t know. He mentioned it once.”

“But is the timing right?” Quin asked.

“If we do it a week before his birthday, it should still work,” Rusty said, reading off his phone. “It’ll be one of the last nights it happens, so no wiggle room if we miss it.”

“It’s kinda pricey,” Toni warned. “That’s why he hasn’t gone himself.”

“And tickets book way in advance,” Willow said sadly. “I’ve only been once, and Krul bought our tickets the year prior. I don’t think there will be availability this late.”

Everyone slumped in disappointment, but an idea formed in Toni’s head. “You know what, I know a guy. He’s the boyfriend of my cousin’s best friend’s sister.”

“The drug-dealer cousin?” Jude asked quietly.

“Nah, different cousin,” Toni dismissed. “I could probably get us tickets, just need to bribe him a little.”

“And we’ll cover Gem’s ticket,” Glyma said quickly. “So everyone would just need to pay for themselves.”

Smiling as the plan came together in Toni’s head. “Yeah, yeah this could work. Oh my gods, Gem’s gonna freak out. But we gotta keep it a surprise.”

“And kidnap him the night of,” Oliver insisted.

“Sure,” Toni said. “We can do that too.”

“I’ll take care of the kidnapping supplies,” Tad offered. “I already have a go-bag ready.”

“How’re we getting to Wrath at three in the morning?” Rusty asked. “The trains don’t run that late.”

“I know how to drive,” Oliver said. “Can’t we rent a van?”

“I got a guy for that too!” Toni exclaimed.

“Do you have a guy for everything?” Jude asked, and Toni brushed off his shoulder haughtily.

“What can I say? Toni knows people.”

“So the weekend before his birthday,” Glyma said, looking at her phone’s calendar. “Saturday night. Well, early Sunday morning technically.”

“If everyone can get to me before the trains stop running, I’ll have the vehicle, and we drive to Gem’s,” Toni said, pulling out his keyring and holding up the pink one. “I got a key to his place, so we sneak in and yell surprise while he’s sleeping.”

“Won’t that traumatize him?” Willow asked.

“Only if he survives the night,” Tad whispered, sending another wink Toni’s way.

And Toni wasn’t touchingthatwith a ten-foot pole. “Honestly, Gem lives for this shit. He’ll scream a lot, but then he’ll be telling this story for years.”

“And he’ll probably be forgiving,” Liel said, tucking his hands into his slacks. “Seeing as we’re fulfilling a lifelong dream of his, right?”

“Exactly,” Toni clapped Oliver on the shoulder. “Good idea, man.”

Shaking his head, Oliver pointed at Rusty. “I only came up with the kidnapping idea. The caves were all Rusty.”

Again, Rusty lifted his gaze from his phone, looking startled as he said, “What?”

“Either way, Gem’s gonna love it.” Excitement swelled in Toni’s chest as he and Oliver snickered conspiratorially.

“Let’s plan on the train,” Oliver said.

“You’re not coming home?” Jude asked, and Oliver’s smile dimmed with uncertainty.

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