Page 134 of The Wishing Game

"How are you feeling? Are you all right?" I ask as we walk farther into the forest.

His features are tense as he sweeps his gaze across the lush foliage, his mind attuned to danger.

"Fine," he answers in a clipped tone.

"Are you sure? Your muscles are a bit tight," I murmur as I pat his straining biceps.

"This is the twenty-fourth time you have asked me in the last twenty minutes. That is more than once per minute, human," he adds drily, easily waltzing us around more of the incoming arrows.

We've been shot at countless times so far. Whenever we advance a little, more traps are triggered, shooting those venomous arrows at us.

Ze is in control, however, as he senses the motion and is able to dodge each one. Although I feel safe with him, I'm still a little worried.

"But your eyes are still purple," I mention in a small voice.

He gives me a side glance, his eyes glinting a deep purple. It's almost as if they have a life of their own, the color swirling from light to dark and back to light.

"I amfine," he grunts, pulling me by the hand into his arms and twirling us around as a flurry of incoming arrows pass by us.

"If you say so..." I grumble.

He rolls his eyes.

We walk another hour or so before Ze suddenly stops, placing his finger against his lips and motioning for me to be quiet.

I give him a nod, watching as he orients himself around, his narrowed eyes taking in his surroundings. His ears perk up as he turns sharply to the right. Before I can ask what's going on, he grabs me in his arms, jumping up just as more arrows are dispatched toward our direction.

Yet this is different.

Whereas before the arrows had come from booby traps, now they're being handled by people. Three men come out from the rich foliage, all dressed in green camouflage suits and fitted with weapons from head to toe.

"Finally, they reveal themselves," Ze mutters, tightening his hold on me. "You will do what I tell you," he commands.

Since it's not the time to argue with him, I nod.

Jumping around the trees with me in his arms, he evades every incoming arrow while managing to confuse the men with his swift movements. When he's satisfied that they've lost track of him, he quietly lands a few meters away from the clearing, depositing me in a hidden spot in the bushes. The forest is teeming with rich trees and mid-sized bushes, making it the perfect spot to hide—but also to ambush someone.

"Do not come out until I tell you to," he whispers.

His gaze lingers a moment over my features before he disappears from my sight.

A sudden noise erupts from the clearing, and I move forward on my knees, pushing some of the foliage away to make a small hole through which I can see what's happening.

Ze is in the middle as the three men circle him, their bows and arrows raised to strike. My heart is in my throat as I watch helplessly, cursing myself for my weakness.

Until now, I'd made peace with my human condition, counting myself blessed for the fact that my teammates could help me advance in the competition. Somehow, I'd thought that the strength of my conviction was enough to get me ahead. But I never counted on the uselessness I'm feeling now.

I could be helping him. Instead, I'm just hiding in the bushes, only able to look on as Ze risks his life for a plant only I need. Cer and Thea, too, are taking unnecessary risks for me.

I bite my lip in frustration. If only I could be of more use to them...

Ze removes his sword from his scabbard, the stark white a contrast to the black of his clothes and the green of the forest. Holding it with one hand, he waves it around as he focuses his attention on one of the men. And when they least expect it, he strikes.

His movements are sharp and brisk. It's almost as if he's one with his sword as he reaches his opponent in two steps. Dodging an arrow from behind, he increases the momentum of the shot by using his sword to hit the arrow back to the sender. The pointy end hits one of the men in the leg. His knees buckle as he falls to the ground, his previously light countenance becoming a deep blue. In just a matter of seconds, he stops breathing.

A gasp escapes me just as I slap my hand over my mouth.

When Ze had said the venom was potent... This is on a level I've never seen before. It acts so fast that you're dead within seconds of being hit.

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