Page 91 of The Wishing Game

"It's not magic. It's technology. Remember the billboards in Times Square? It's the same."

He blinks.

"So they were not actual people? I was under the impression they were putting on a live show from those boxes," he adds.

I try to hold my laughter in and fail.

"No, they're not." I giggle. He gives me a harsh look. Getting my mirth under control, I proceed to explain—to the best of my ability—how movies and TV shows work.

"I see." He nods. "So these are visual stories. But it's not magic."

"Yes, that's exactly right."

"And I can watch whatever story I want?"

I point to the screen, showing him how he can operate it with his fingers.

"It's like that smartphone of yours," he murmurs, a hint of excitement in his voice. He's entranced by it as he starts swiping in all directions, exploring every option. Eventually, he settles on a TV show called

Game of Thrones.

With Ze preoccupied with his show, I direct my attention to my own device, wondering if I should watch something or try to sleep. I'm quite tired after all that ghost-hunting turned demon-hunting. While I debate my options, I browse the selection of TV shows. Suddenly, though, Ze pulls on my headphones to get my attention.

"What?" I frown.

"How dare you make me watch this, human?" he grits out in the most disgusted voice.

I flutter my lashes in confusion.

He points to the screen, his nostrils flaring with anger. Two fully naked people are going at it like rabbits. The woman's breasts are bouncing up and down. The volume is high enough that I can hear her moans from his earbuds.

"Oh," I murmur. "I'm guessing your world doesn't have R-rated stuff?" I try to make light of the situation, but Ze is not amused. If anything, he's incensed.

"This is blasphemous," he mutters as he presses all over the screen in an attempt to turn it off.

"Are you a prude, Z?" I raise my brow at him.

"It is against the law to have any licentious display in public," he hisses, "much less between an unmated couple."

"I don't understand," I frown. Reaching forward, I press the back button to take him out of the video since this is clearly offensive to him.

"Is Ze giving you any trouble, Luce?" Thea asks. Looking up, I see she's on her feet, resting her elbows on the top of my chair as she peeks down at us.

"He's offended about nudity in a TV show." I roll my eyes.

"Oh." She giggles.

Ze turns sharply to her, giving her his signature death glare.

"Is this really illegal in your world?" I ask, thinking I may have actually committed a faux pas.

Thea beckons me closer to whisper in my ear.

"It istechnicallyillegal," she adds drily. "Of course, it's always the males that are the exception. As long as they're quiet and careful about their liaisons, people turn a blind eye. But if females are caught doing the same thing, they are ostracized, or worse."

"Then why is Ze so insulted by it?"

"Because he's...different? You've probably noticed that he doesn't understand nuances. For him, a law is a law." She sighs. "He's the only person I know who is beyond temptation in that regard."

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