Page 96 of The Wishing Game

I suddenly stop, turning toward the edge of the road as I stare at the sprawling cliffs. Closing my eyes, I take a deep breath as I become one with the sounds of nature—tuning in to the very essence of life.

Are you here, Nikki? Are you with me?

Thea explained that young spirits are weak, and I wonder if that's the case with Nikki. Did he deplete his strength when he appeared in front of me at the theatre? Because the only other alternative would be that he got taken by the Collectors, and regardless of how insignificant that may be in the grand scheme of things, I wouldhatefor it to be true. I need him by my side, always with me.

I just...need him.

A tear falls down my cheek, a cold breeze brushing against my skin and making me shiver. My eyes instantly snap open, my gaze greedily roaming around as I look for him. The breeze...that's his signature. Is he really here?

I run in circles, chasing the wind, all in hopes that he might give me another sign—that he might show himself before me.

Yet it's all in vain.

Maybe he's too weak.

Maybe.

My breath becomes ragged as I look for him in every crevice and nook, stopping short of checking under every rock for his presence. Either I'm too exhausted or I'm just going crazy—both plausible explanations.

There's just this chasm in my heart that's slowly expanding, leaving room for panic to settle in, for emptiness to grow and fester. Because without him... WhoamI without him?

"You," Ze suddenly calls out, pointing his finger at me.

I blink as I shake myself from my silly reverie. For a moment, I truly forgot where I was and what I was doing, my mind simply honing in on the possibility that my husband might be around. God, but what wouldn't I give for one hug. Just one fleeting hug to keep me warm in this labyrinth of frost.

"What?" I frown.

"You're slowing everyone down, human."

My eyes widen at his words, yet I can't deny that he's right.

"I-I'm sorry," I whisper, lowering my chin. I realize my limitations and the fact that I'm likely dragging everyone down with me.

"You should be," he huffs, stalking toward me.

My heart lurches in my chest at his biting tone. Instinctively, I take a step back as he continues toward me. His features are knit in a tight scowl.

"I'm just smaller than you." I put my hands up in an effort to placate him. "Andhuman. We humans aren't that strong, you know," I stammer, slowly backing away.

He has a murderous look on his face, and I fear I may have finally angered him. After all, I am the weakest link of this team... Oh, God! I hope they won't drop me because without them... I don't even know if I can get to P'davi without their help.

"Please," I whisper. "I'll try harder."

"Ze!" Thea calls out, rushing toward me. Cer, too, looks alarmed at Ze's behavior.

Ze reaches my side, and my eyes snap shut as I wait for whatever scathing remark he wants to dole out. Yet as I creep one eye open, I'm shocked to be at eye level with his chest. The tips of his shoes graze mine. The black in his eyes glints dangerously, almost like a prism reflecting a hidden rainbow. One moment he's staring me down with his intense glare, the next he turns with his back to me, dropping to one knee.

What?

"What are you waiting for, human?" he asks when moments pass and I don't say or do anything.

"W-what do you mean?"

"Climb on," he grits out, signaling to his back.

My lashes flutter in shock, then confusion, then finally settling on awe.

Tentatively, I reach forward, wrapping my arms around his neck and climbing on his back. Holding on to the back of my knees, he rises to his feet, moving forward with innate grace, as if he didn't have a whole human on his back weighing him down. But if what I've seen so far of him is any evidence, I'd say he's pretty strong.

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