"I knew you were going to be a good friend, Luce," Thea says dreamily. "Great minds think alike." She smirks at Cer before sticking her tongue out at him.

"Tell your human pet to stand down or she'll get hurt."

"She's not my pet!" Thea bursts out at the same time as I say, "I'm not a pet."

"I'm not leaving, Cer. I'm honor-bound to be here, and you know that means you can't remove me from the premises," Thea adds smugly.

Cer stops, pivoting to stare at her.

"Honor-bound? To whom?" He closes his eyes for a moment before he groans out loud. "What did you do, Thea? What did you get yourself into now?"

"It's nothing bad, I promise. It's just that I'm doing a favor for someone who did me a favor some time back," she says nervously.

Cer takes a deep breath, stepping away from us.

"How long do you have to stay?"

"Until the end."

"And her?" He points toward me.

"She's my new friend. Be nice," Thea quips as she hooks her arm through my right one.

Cer's gaze meets Thea's and for a moment, it looks as if they're having an unspoken conversation. The tension in the air is as thick as a cloud of dynamite, and I'm still wondering just what their relationship is.

I sit by idly, quietly thinking of my next move if Thea is indeed in danger—and if I am in danger. Maybe we should both make a run for it while we can...

"Fine. Let us go back, then."

"Us?" Thea blinks in surprise.

Cer's lips flatten into a thin line as he exhales wearily.

"I'm not leaving you here alone. Let's go."

He doesn't wait for any of us to reply as he turns his back, walking toward the club.

"Ugh!" Thea grits out. "He had to show up here, too."

"Who is he?" I ask before I lower my voice to a whisper. "Are you in danger from him? You can tell me if you are and we can figure out a plan to escape together. I'm not in peak physical condition, of course, but I can get rather inventive if need be and⁠—"

"You silly goose." Thea giggles. "We're not in danger from him. Hmm..." She pauses, stroking her chin thoughtfully. "Maybe it's even better that he's here."

My lashes flutter in confusion.

"I thought you didn't want him here..."

"I said that because I love ruffling his feathers. He's my brother." She waves her hand, dismissing my concerns. "We should follow him back. The game will start any moment."

She leads me back to the club, the corridor suddenly full of light.

"I don't understand... What game are you talking about? What is this place?"

"The Wishing Game is⁠—"

"Please don't give me another cryptic answer." I sigh. "I only came here forced by circumstances, and without knowing what it is, I'd like to leave."

She takes a deep breath.