Page 32 of The Wishing Game

The impossible... That there are gods among us. Gods who have the power to stop pain, heal wounds, and grow limbs.

There are gods among us. And I have never in my life been more confused.

Because if there are gods among us; if there are beings with powers—true powers—then nothing is impossible.

Not even death.

"This is our welcoming gift to you," Inara says. "But as we mentioned before, this is only for the duration of the game."

"Shall we explain more about the game, Ina?"

She nods.

"The Wishing Game consists of five trials." As Inara speaks, the screen behind them lights up, showing five empty panels, each containing a question mark. "Each trial will be announced after the previous one is completed. The trials will become increasingly harder, and the last one will declare our winners. If more than five people pass the fifth trial—although that's unlikely—there will be another round to decide the winners. If not, you will get your wish upon the fulfillment of the fifth trial."

"And the rules are..." Inu pauses, a mischievous smile pulling at his lips. "That there arenorules."

Murmurs echo through the crowd.

"Yes, it's exactly as it sounds. You can use any means to win—even cheating."

"However," Inara intervenes, "you maynotquit at any point during the game. Once you stepped foot into this venue, you officially entered the game. There is no way out except if you pass to the next round."

Inu nods.

"Once you've passed a trial, there will be a break before the next one starts. That is the only time anyone is allowed to withdraw. Of course, the gift we've offered tonight will be taken back, and your memory will be wiped of any knowledge of the game," Inu continues in a nonchalant manner—as if he didn't just say he'll erase the memory of anyone who wants to leave the game.

My mouth drops open in shock, but somehow I can't tear my gaze away from the stage.

"If you die at any pointduringthe game, you forfeit your right toanyfuture incarnations," Inara casually chimes in.

EIGHT

"What does that mean?" I turn to Thea since she seems to have more knowledge on this than me.

"Are you familiar with the concept of reincarnation?"

"Somewhat?"

"The short version is that the soul is immortal and goes through many cycles, incarnations if you will. Forfeiting your right to reincarnation means your soul will simply cease to exist."

"But that's?—"

"A steep price to pay." She smiles sadly. "The risk must be equal to the reward. When you make that wish, you'll be gambling with your soul."

I stare at her, my mind a whirlpool of confusion.

There's only so much a person can take in, no?

Not an hour ago I was running from the police, and now I suddenly find out therearedeities out there, with powers, who actually healed my broken body, and who expect me to wager my soul for the chance to fulfill a wish.

But...if therearedeities, that means that nothing is impossible, doesn't it?

"Do deities have the power to bring back the dead?" I whisper, unable to believe I'm even willing to contemplate this. It could all still be just a nightmare—the rational side of me is inclined to believe that. But it could also be real and my one chance at saving my husband. My brain tells me it's the former. But my heart... My heart yearns for it to be real.

"Of course. There's nothing they can't do," Thea explains. "The messengers you were asking about earlier? They should have given you the invite in person and told you all of this."

"There was no one." I shake my head, recounting how I'd gotten the first invite and the subsequent ones.

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