Page 28 of The Wishing Game

"I guess someone really wanted to make sure you came here."

I'm about to ask her what she means by that, but the music becomes louder as we get back to the club. Thea doesn't let go of my hand as she leads me back to our seats—which are still, miraculously, unoccupied.

Her brother is already sitting there, his hand on his chin as he intently studies the people around. He's...odd. Besides the fact that he insulted me to my face and never even deigned to apologize, there's somethingoffabout him.

Thea plops herself on the seat next to him, seemingly deriving great amusement from her brother's grimace. She pulls me into the seat next to her.

"At least tell me we're not in any danger," I murmur as I fidget with my fingers.

"For now, no. But don't worry. Cer's always ready to save us. Isn't that right, big bro?" Thea giggles as she rubs her shoulder against Cer's.

He grumbles something under his breath, but he makes no attempt to extricate himself from her. In fact, I could almost swear I note a slight curl of his lips. Hm... Maybe I misjudged him and he's actually a good, caring brother who was just worried about his sister.

"Can't you at least give me a hint about this? I'm really wary about all the secrecy."

"I'm guessing you didn't read the invite properly, did you?"

My cheeks heat up as I slowly shake my head.

"I had more important things to do," I mumble.

"And yet you're here," she says, watching me intently.

"I just happened to be here at the right time." I sigh. "Someone was following me and I thought I was lucky to find this place. Now, I'm not so sure anymore..."

"Someone was following you?" Her eyes flash.

"It's a long story." I give her a tight smile. I'm not about to tell a person I just met that I'm wanted by the police.

"Maybe it's fate. Right place, right time? Don't you humans have a saying for that?"

"There you go again with 'humans.' Is this some slang I'm not aware of?" English is my second language and while I've learned a lot in the past few years, I'm still not the best when it comes to slang or online speech.

Thea shoots a quick look at Cer, but he just shrugs as if telling herit's your mess. Clearing her throat, she gives me a wide smile.

"Something like that," she says, the words forced.

My skepticism increases despite liking the girl. There's something off about her and her brother. They know more than they're letting on, and that only makes me feel more uneasy about what's to come.

I could try to make a run for it again, but somehow I doubt I'd even make it to the exit, let alone past the bouncer. One glance at Thea and Cer, and I realize they must have guessed what I was thinking about because they both shake their heads at me.

"Tell me what was on the invite." I change the topic as I feel the air around us grow thicker. No way out, got it—fornow.

"It's exactly what the name implies—a wishing game. Everyone is here to compete to have their most ardent wishes come true."

What?Is this some sort of reality show? I look around, but I don't spot any cameras. Then again, they could very well be hidden to get our natural reactions.

"And how does that work?" I ask apprehensively.

"Do you think people care about thehowas long as they get their wish?" She shrugs, and it's not lost on me that she evades answering. "You, too, must have a wish, or you wouldn't be here," she further prevaricates.

"I—"

Do I? Yes, of course I do. I want revenge for what happened to Nikki. I want his killers to pay foreverythingthey put him through.

I nod slowly.

"Vengeance," I whisper. "I'd wish for something the law will not give me."

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