Page 34 of The Wishing Game

"You mean I'm the only one here who was clueless about it," I add dryly.

"I don't know why you got the invite and nothing else. It's not how it's done. It must have been a glitch or something," Thea adds. "But you're taking it very well considering this is your first exposure to this world," she praises.

"Thank you, I'm trying." I crack a smile.

At this point, I've come to terms that this is actually real, or I'm having a full mental breakdown. And even if the latter turns out to be true, at least in my delusion I can have a chance to get Nikki back.

"You're funny, Luce." Thea laughs. "We'll have such a good time together," she says as she pulls me into a tight hug.

"Wait a second," I suddenly say, drawing back. "You called mehuman, too. So if you're not human, what are you?"

Thea shares a look with her brother, who simply shrugs at her.

"We're..." she stammers. "We're..."

"She's a harpy," Cer intervenes.

Thea gasps, a horrified look on her face.

"What are harpies?" I ask.

"You've never heard of them?"

I shake my head. It's not the time to be embarrassed by my lack of knowledge.

"You should show her,sis." Cer raises a daring brow at Thea.

She rolls her eyes at him and, lifting her hand, I notice her fingers turning into claws.

"That's..." I blink. "Impressive?" I force a smile.

Maybe I actually died that day on the bridge and now I'm stuck in an afterlife limbo filled with all types of creatures. Yes, that might actually make more sense.

"You're so cute." Thea gives me a genuine smile before she turns to her brother, baring her teeth at him. "You'll pay. Later," she hisses at him.

He shrugs, leaning back in his seat, his lips curling at the corners.

Their relationship is...peculiar.

Before I can dwell more on the fact that my new friend isnothuman, Inu's voice echoes in the room.

"Now that we've covered the basics, it's time for the highlight of the night. The Wishing Well."

Claps resound from the audience while I'm even more confused.

Inu takes a step to the side, and Inara does the same. Within seconds, cracks form at the level of the stage in the shape of a perfect circle. As all the dots connect, the ground collapses, leaving behind a gaping hole.

What...

Instead of the panic that I expect to see from the crowd, more cheers erupt.

"It's starting. It's so exciting, Cer," Thea exclaims, grabbing her brother's arm. He grumbles something under his breath, clearly not sharing the sentiment.

Is he even allowed here without an invite?

I hadn't considered that before. But if he came here in search of his sister, then he's not here in an official capacity, is he?

My train of thought is interrupted as Thea jumps to her feet, taking my hand and steering me down the stairs to where the main crowd is.

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