Page 62 of The Wishing Game

Yet the most I feel is the cold air that brushes against my limbs—hiscold air. That is the only evidence he exists in this space—the only way he can physically interact with me.

"Oh, Nikki," I cry out. "Thank you! Thank you for staying by my side," I say as I search for the gathering of dust that represents the essence of my beloved.

The mist lights up twice. A yes.

Even knowing I can't touch him, I move closer to him, lifting my hand and swirling my fingers through the mist. It's cold to the touch, but also warm—a warmth that goes beyond physical temperature.

Another step, and I move closer, so close I'm almost one with him. Every particle of his shadowy body brushes against my corporeal one. Every atom of his being caresses my own. Icy wind skims my right cheek, and as I close my eyes, a sigh escapes me as I imagine it's his lips that lay a trail of arctic kisses that melt into my skin.

Seconds turn to minutes that seek to turn into an eternity as we succumb to this unorthodox embrace. All the yearning I'd buried deep within erupts to the surface, and I can feel the yearning in him too. It's right there, in the erratic flicker of light, the shift in temperature, and the storm of dust that swirls everywhere around me.

"I missed you," I murmur. "I missed you so much, Nikki. But don't you worry. I'll bring you back. I'll do everything in my power to make sure you come back to me."

The mist swirls around me, almost like a pat before stepping back. I want to protest at the sudden feeling of bereavement, but before I can voice that out loud, I'm reminded of what I had wanted to tell him from the beginning—as well as my own precarious circumstances away from the other siblings.

"Can you leave this place, Nikki? There's a dangerous demon that feeds on souls roaming around the theatre. If you stay here, you'll only be in danger, and I can't have you in danger," I tell him breathlessly. The mere thought of him being away after I just found him again causes me visceral pain. But this is for his good—for his safety. And that is the one thing I can't risk.

He doesn't answer me, nor does he flicker or emit any light. He's just...there.

"Please, Nikki—" My words are interrupted by a piercing sound coming from behind me. I swivel, my eyes wide as I search through the unyielding darkness.

"You need to go, Nikki.Now!" I tell him, this time more pronounced.

I step backward, my arm thrust back to find the metal stair. But I don't reach it when I feel another presence with me in the tunnel. The same foul smell as before lingers in the air, becoming more potent by the second. Loud, thudding steps echo before an inhuman howl physically thrusts me back.

Fear clogs my throat, but my thoughts are all centered on Nikki. Scanning the area the best I can, I manage to make out Nikki's shadowy self and the outline of the other entity present. My mind is blank as I jump up from my spot, placing myself in front of Nikki in one last attempt to protect him.

"Go, Nikki. I'll hold him back. Please leave," I beg him.

He gives me a shimmery signal to mean yes before the mist dissipates, in its place remaining only faint rays of light coming from up above.

I release a sigh of relief. At least he's safe...

The sound of wet lips smacking together brings me back to the present. Now that Nikki's gone, I need to find a way to get back to the dressing room too.

The pungent smell becomes stronger, to the point that I have to stop myself from bending over to retch. I swallow hard, taking one step back at a time so I don't set the demon off by any chance.

Another roar explodes in the tunnel, causing me to stumble and almost fall. Grabbing onto the wall, I quickly stabilize myself, only to feel a sticky hand grab me by the throat. In no time, my hands stop touching the ground as he lifts me in the air, his fingers tightening over my flesh.

He brings his snout to my face, sniffing me.

"Lora re," he hisses in a strange tongue. His voice holds two layers. A broken, sinister one that is the most clear, but also a second layer that sounds like a choir of a thousand people.

His breath wafts directly into my face now, the smell so putrid I can barely breathe. This is the smell of rot, of decaying flesh that's been forgotten in the sun. The fact that I've seen and tended to dead bodies before at the hacienda is the only thing that's keeping me from casting my accounts in that very moment. That and the fact that with Nikki out of the way, my self-preservation makes its belated appearance.

"Let me go," I barely get the words out.

Fear grips me as I rack my brain for a way out. Remembering some of Thea's words, I bring my hands together, using my two forefingers to make the sign of the cross and pressing it into his gross face.

He lets out a roaring screech as he shoves me backward, his sharp claws scraping the sides of my neck in the process.

I whimper as I hit the ground. Wetness pours from my neck, flowing down my chest, making my dress stick to my skin.

The demon howls in pain momentarily before he stomps toward me, his steps making the foundation of the building quake.

My body shakes as I drag myself backward, hoping I'll bump into the staircase so I can haul myself up. But it's not long before he's on me.

I barely see him, but I feel his foul stench as he extends his claws toward me, gripping me by my bodice and pulling me toward him. I push at his hand in an attempt to get loose, but it's in vain. His force is so immense, he easily lifts me up again, my feet dangling in the air.

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