The hallway is dark as we head to the main exit. As we reach the door, Thea uses her claw to unlock it. A click resounds through the stillness of the night and she pulls on the knob. The door easily opens, but as we're about to step into the night, we collide with an invisible barrier that thrusts us back.

"Wha—" I mumble, wincing as I hit the ground.

"No, no," Thea whispers, getting up and running toward the door at full speed. Yet it's in vain because she's once more thrown back.

"What is it?"

She wobbles toward me, her features tense.

"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 acts against her, 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.