"I reckon they'll try. It's about to get more and more vicious, Luce. You need to keep your guard up."

I nod.

Thea gets up, stretching languidly and proclaiming she's exhausted. Her demeanor changes back to normal, mischievous Thea as she jumps on her bed, bouncing on the mattress.

Shaking my head, I get up, telling her I'm going to take a shower before bed. I gather a change of clothes and go to the bathroom. At first glance, the place is eerily similar to a bathroom in my world, except the bathtub is made of wood.

Interesting.

I carefully explore the plumbing until I manage to turn on the hot water, then get in the tub and wash myself thoroughly. Yet no matter how much I try to relax and forget today's events, I can't. Nikki's plea to quit echoes in my head.

But how could I willingly give up when it's my only chance to get him back in this lifetime?

I can't deny that I'm at a disadvantage given my frail human condition. Even if there are other humans in the competition, considering the abilities I've seen displayed today, I doubt any will make it out alive.

And that leaves only one recourse.

I need to become better—stronger. And the first step is information. I need to find out as much as I can about the other contestants—their strengths and weaknesses.

Taking a deep breath, I rinse myself before dressing up and heading back to the room. Thea is already in her bed, fast asleep. I get under the covers and close my eyes.

I sleep like the dead. I'm utterly content under the blanket, my body cocooned in warmth and comfort. Maybe it's the exhaustion of the day, or simply my mind being in dire need of a break, but I don't think I've ever had a better sleep.

And it's all being made even better by the fact that Nikki appears in my dreams, hugging me from behind and resting his chin in the crook of my shoulder. His breath is on my skin, the beat of his heart loud in my ears.

"Luce? You need to wake up," a voice calls out to me.

I groan, pulling the covers over my head.

"Five more minutes," I grumble. I'm not ready to give up this perfect dream yet. If only I could hang onto it just for a few more moments...

"Luce! Come on, the second trial announcement will start soon."

My eyes snap open at hearing that, and I jump into a sitting position.

"Come on, get ready. I'll be outside," Thea says, waving at me and getting out of the room.

I rub my eyes as a yawn escapes me. Damn, but that was a fine dream.