Page 184 of The Wishing Game

Disappointment settles deep in my stomach, and something more. A tingle spreads through my entire body, almost as if his actions are physically making me ill. The revulsion is so strong, I barely keep myself from being sick.

"That's enough, Ze." Cer's voice booms as he gets to his feet, his body radiating pure energy.

Fearing a fight between them would hurt everyone, I swallow my pride and meet Ze's eyes. I've seen enough of his abilities to know that no one would survive. Cer might be his disciple, but I doubt he's as strong.

"What do you want me to do? I'll do it," I slowly say.

He turns his attention to me, coming closer. His steps are measured, his expression icy. Whatever vulnerability I might have seen in him in the past is gone. There's just ruthless indifference. One that cuts me to the core.

As he reaches in front of me, he tips my chin up with his hand, his thumb brushing against my lips. I gulp down as a sliver of fear courses down my back.

With how unpredictable he is, I'm truly not sure what he would ask of me.

The caress is soft, gentle—belying his arctic countenance. He touches me almost reverently, and a small alarm bell goes off in my head.

What if...

"Give up," he says in a deadpan tone.

"What?" I whisper.

A smirk pulls at his lips as his hand dips lower. Slowly, he wraps his fingers around the circumference of my neck, bringing me closer to him.

"Renounce the competition and return to your world." He lowers his head to whisper in my ear. "If you do that, I will give you my vow that Erithea's secret will be safe."

THIRTY-NINE

My breathing accelerates as I blink repeatedly, thinking I haven't heard him right.

"Why? Why would you care if I give up or not?"

"Because I do not want to see you win, human," he states smoothly.

His words are like an arrow to my heart, the sharp tip penetrating deep and embedding itself in my flesh. Of all the things he could have said... I shield my face so he doesn't see the hurt reflected in my features.

God, how silly I am. How could I have seen anything good in him?

Moments pass as silence molds to the room. We all stare at one another as Ze waits for me to agree to his outrageous terms. To my greatest shame, I cannot bring myself to do it.

I sneak a glance at Thea on the floor, her face red from crying, and I still can't open my mouth to say the words. Yes, she's my friend. But Nikki... He's my everything.

Does that make me a bad person? I'm not sure. I only know that I have one limit only—my husband.

"As I suspected." Ze leans back, laughing. "You are not such a nice person now, are you, human?" he asks sarcastically. "You could not even save your friend."

"Ze, please..."

I don't get to plead my case with him because a cloud of smoke appears in the room, the messenger wraith materializing in front of us.

"Congratulations. You have passed the second trial and are officially invited to join the third one. Is there anyone who would like to withdraw?" The rehearsed speech flows out of the wraith's mouth.

Ze stares at me, his purple eyes glowing.

Does he think that tactic of intimidation will work?

"You know what you have to do," he adds in a low voice.

My hands clench into fists by my side, my anger growing by the second.

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