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?

"You can't possibly⁠—"

"Fine," Cer interrupts me. "That is a small enough enclosure. But"—he pauses, looking both of us straight in the eye—"you stay put. You do not leave the room until I tell you it's safe to do so, understood?"

"Yes, sir." Thea cackles, while I mumble a low, "Fine."

Cer pivots, heading backstage, and we follow.

The women's dressing room is not very spacious, but it's filled with colorful gowns that immediately catch Thea's eyes—and if I'm honest with myself, mine too.

"Remember what I told you. Stay here," Cer warns once more before he closes his eyes, white-blue light shimmering in his palms as he directs it to the door and the walls around. "This will keep anything out of here, but the moment you step outside of the barrier, it will automatically dissolve."

Thea and I nod, while Cer seems rather conflicted about leaving us here by ourselves. Eventually, though, he shakes his head and exits the room.

"Oh my, Luce! Look at these gowns! I'm in love!"

"Shouldn't you be... I don't know, more worried about our lives?"

"Nah." She waves my concerns away. "I trust Cer with my life. Always. He's good at what he does, Luce. He would never let a demon harm us."

"If you say so..." I mumble, taking a seat on a chair at the vanity table.

With the barrier in place, I feel more at peace, but that doesn't mean I'm not still worried. Is Nikki here as well? Is he by my side and I don't know it? Or is he trapped outside the barrier, somewhere in the theatre where he could be the next meal for this damned demon?

"Thea," I suddenly speak. "How can you talk to a spirit?"