Page 102 of The Wishing Game

"Yes," he replies. His touch is cold and impersonal. It doesn't feel like skin, only like a hard surface that's being molded to my arm.

"How? What happened?" I ask, worry infusing my words.

"This world," he speaks slowly. "I have more...strength."

I stare at him, unable to believe this is actually happening. And just like that, all the hope I toiled to foster blossoms. His features are not discernible. There's still only a dark smoke that swirls with tinges of silver. But the contour of his body is unmistakable, as is his intoxicating presence.

Tentatively, I reach out, my palm fitting to the plane of his cheek. I caress him softly. I may not be able to see his face, but I can feel his features. It's him. My Nikki.

"Oh, Nikki," I burst out, throwing myself into his arms.

I wrap my arms around his neck, feeling the hard surface of his chest. Everything is familiar. Everything but one thing. There's no heartbeat. That soothing sound that has been my safe place for years is missing.

Of course it's missing. He's a ghost.

"You're following me, aren't you? You're attached to me?" I ask as I lean back.

He nods slowly.

"You have to...quit."

"What?" I frown.

"It's not safe. Please," he whispers. "Don't risk yourself for me."

"How can you ask me that? How can you even suggest it? You know I'd do anything for you."

He shakes his head.

"It's not safe," he repeats. "Please, Luce." He reaches with his hands, palming my cheeks as he strokes his thumb over my skin. "You have to withdraw after this trial."

"No. Absolutelyno," I state.

"You can't see what I see from here. This is not something you can win. And if you die, your soul dies too. Do you know what that means? No more incarnations. We cannevermeet again. At least this way..."

"I can't do it, Nikki. I can't give you up. IknowI can win this."

"You're human, Luce. They aren't. You can't win."

"My team will help me," I tell him. "They're stronger than me. With them by my side, I can win. Iwillwin."

"Luce. Please... I can't bear if anything happens to you."

"And I can't bear to be without you," I whisper. "So you see, we're at an impasse."

He continues to caress me as he moves closer. The coldness of his cheek seeps into mine as he nuzzles his face against mine.

"Please. Do it for me. Leave this game and go home."

"Do you understand what you're asking me? You're telling me I should just go back home and live the rest of my life without you. How could Ieverdo that? How, Nikki? How?" I cry out.

"Because the alternative is much worse," he says calmly.

"I know the risks. I'm well aware of the danger and nothing you could say can change my mind. I know you're only thinking of me, while I'm only thinking of you. So we're bound to be perpetually at a crossroads."

His arms drop from my side as he takes a step back, rising to his feet. I scramble up too, stepping toward him,needingto be closer to him.

"You must drop out of the game," he reiterates, his voice sterner. "You must, Lucero," he says with an exasperated sigh.

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