Page 90 of The Wishing Game

"She is. With me." Ze nods, giving him one more harsh stare before turning away.

TWENTY-ONE

"What's wrong with you?" I pinch his arm, leaning in to whisper. "He was just making small talk."

"I hate small talk," he replies, baring his teeth.

"Well, it's something we humans do, so you'll have to get used to it."

He purses his lips as he gives me a strange look.

"I hate humans," he mutters under his breath.

"Wow, thank you." I roll my eyes. "You're just so full of compliments today, Ze." I shake my head at him as I lean back into my seat, crossing my arms over my chest and deciding to ignore him. Yet it seems that I'm not able to, especially as he continues to quietly seethe, his muscles tense and bulging even through his loose clothing. His chest vibrates with low, guttural sounds that once more attract attention to us.

"Excuse m-me?" Matthew raises his hand to signal a passing flight attendant. She stops by his side with a smile, and he beckons her closer so he can whisper something in her ear. It's soon clear what he must have said to her because she gives Ze a once-over before she nods to Matthew.

"There is another seat available in the back. Please follow me."

Matthew doesn't even look at Ze or me as he quickly gets his luggage out and scurries away to the back.

"What wasthatabout?" Thea asks from behind.

"You should ask Ze," I reply dryly.

He doesn't say anything, but his lips curl around the corners.

The boarding is soon over, and we're instructed to put on our seat belts and prepare for takeoff. The plane taxis on the runway, gaining speed before it inclines for takeoff.

Ze's eyes widen, his hands fisting the material of his pants.

"Are you okay?" I ask softly.

"Fine," he gives me a curt reply, his gaze forward.

I watch him from the corner of my eye for a few moments, noting the tension in his body continues climbing instead of diminishing.

It's his first time flying. I can imagine how jarring the experience would be for him. I remember my first time on a plane. It had been after the fire at the hacienda, and Nikki and I had moved to Texas. I'd been petrified the entire flight, but having him there, holding my hand throughout the entire journey, had helped immensely.

Tentatively, I reach out, placing my hand on top of his.

I don't know what it is about him and his silent struggles with this world that tug at my heartstrings. Maybe it's that I relate to him because I was once a stranger in the world too. Yet the one difference is that I had someone to help me through the transition. He...well, he doesn'twantanyone's help.

Somehow, I find that so pitiful and lonely.

"It takes only a few minutes," I assure him, squeezing his hand in comfort.

He turns toward me, his piercing eyes meeting mine. I brace myself for a few of his scathing words. But he doesn't speak. Slowly, he brings his gaze to his lap where our hands are. He stares at our hands so intently, he forgets all about the takeoff or the fact that the plane is already in the air.

"See, it wasn't so bad." I give him a tentative smile.

He doesn't return it—I don't think the man is capable of a genuine smile. He simply nods at me, softly taking my hand off his and depositing it in my lap. I guess it could have been worse. Something along the lines of—how dare you touch me, human?Yes, it could have definitely been worse. My lips tremble with mirth at the thought of those scenarios.

As the plane stabilizes in the air, I lower the armrest on my side and on Ze's side so he can have more space. Then I turn off his monitor and plug in the complimentary earbuds to show him what he can do to pass the time.

At first, he doesn't seem interested. But as I get to the list of shows he can watch, his interest is piqued. He leans forward, his eyes wide and curious.

"This magic of yours," he starts, his expression pensive. "It traps people inside the small box?"

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