Page 55 of The Wishing Game

"We're trapped."

"What do you mean we're trapped?" My eyes widen.

"The demon created a barrier," she mentions as she extends her claw toward the invisible shield put in place by the door. She uses her force to push her hand, but nothing happens. The more strength she exerts, the more the barrier actsagainsther, the tip of the claw slowly bending inward.

As if burned, she withdraws her hand, softly caressing her bent nail.

"But... Then how... How are we going to leave?" I stammer as pure dread envelops me.

"We can't. At least not until Cer neutralizes the demon. And on that note, we're better off by his side just in case it makes another appearance."

"It didn't hurt me when it had the chance." I frown.

Thea's lips tighten in a sad smile.

"Demons don't go straight for the kill. They like to take their time, terrify their victims so they can feed on that terror. Supposedly, the soul has different, ehm...properties if it's ruled by fear."

"Oh," is all I can say, internalizing that tidbit of information. So these demons not only like to ingest souls but also terrify them before that. Sounds like a proper way to die—or die twice? I'm confused.

"Do you also hunt demons?" I ask Thea on our way back to the auditorium.

"Oh, no." She rolls her eyes. "I'm not cut out for that. Actually..." She pauses, her lips trembling with mirth. "Between you and me, I'm not cut out for much of anything, which of course drives Cer crazy. He's one of the brightest of his generation and I'm, well...still training."

"To hunt demons?"

"No, of course not," she answers emphatically. "I'll likely never be at that level. I'm still training to reach an average level." She shrugs.

"Average for a harpy?"

She blinks twice before she shakes herself.

"Yes, of course." She forces a smile.

"The claw is part of it, no?" I continue to probe—my attempt at gathering at least some information about my new teammates on which my immortal soul depends.

"Yes. Unfortunately, it's the only part." She sighs. "Told you I'm still training. The rest will follow...at some point."

"What are you still doing here?" Cer barks when he sees us.

"We can't get out," Thea explains, describing the barrier surrounding the theatre.

Cer frowns. Pinching the bridge of his nose between two fingers, he lets out a loud sigh as he turns to face us.

"Then we have a problem. Only mid-range demons and higher have that type of ability," he mentions, pacing around. "Sure, it won't be as hard to exterminate it once I draw it out, but with you here... That changes things," he mutters to himself.

"You can do your thing, and Luce and I will stay out of your way. What do you think?" Thea offers with a wide smile. "You can add your own barrier to a room, no?"

He tilts his head to the side, considering her words.

"You know my abilities are constrained," he bites out in a low, rough tone. His eyes meet hers, flashing a thunderous gold.

"A small room?" She bats her lashes at him.

"What room, Thea?"

"The dressing room!" She almost jumps up out of excitement.

I slowly turn to her, my mouth open in shock—or is it outrage? We're in a life-and-death situation with a loose demon that hasn't only consumed the soul we need to liberate, but might also consume ours, and she wants to play with clothes?

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