I may be thrilled to find out that there's a world beyond our knowledge, beyond the visible or even the fathomable. But without Nikki, it's all moot. I would love nothing more than to explore all this new and arcane knowledge, but it will never be the same without my best friend—without the only person in the world who completes me.

A sigh escapes my lips as I try to regulate my pulse.

It's okay. I'll have him again. I'll fight this until the end, and we'll be together again.

A strangled noise makes me turn around, my eyes widening as I see Thea on her knees, her eyes red, her claws extending.

"Thea?" I ask tentatively.

She opens her mouth to speak, but nothing comes out. She brings her clawed hand to her neck, the sharp tips penetrating the skin and drawing blood. Yet her blood...it's not red. It's a swirling silver that drips down her skin, shiny particles sparkling in the dimly lit room.

"What's happening, Thea? Is it the demon? Is it here?" I get to my knees in front of her, my features a mix of worry and helplessness as I watch her without knowing what I can do to ease her suffering.

She shakes her head.

"C—" She opens her mouth. "Ce⁠—"

"Your brother? You want me to call your brother?" I quickly ask.

She gives me a pained nod just as more of the silvery liquid pours down her neck, nestling into her cleavage.

Panicked, I get to my feet, dashing out the door as I call out for her brother. I feel the pressure of the barrier for a brief moment before it dissipates and I'm out of the dressing room.

"Cer?"

"What are you doing here?" he asks in a low, chilling voice as he appears in front of me—almost as if out of thin air.

"It's Thea. I don't know what's wrong with her..."

His eyes flash for a second before he dashes into the dressing room, finding his sister writhing on the floor.

"Damn you, Erithea," he rasps. "Didn't I warn you this would happen? You little fool."

She raises her head slightly, letting out a throaty groan as she reaches out with her clawed hand toward him.

Shaking his head, he bends to gather her in his arms, her claws automatically lodging deep into his skin.

"What's wrong with her?" I ask, biting my lip in worry as I take in the drastic change in her appearance. That silvery liquid continues to flow out of her wounds, her face losing color. Where she was so lively just a few moments ago, now she's barely alive.

"The meat. She knows she's not allowed to eat it, but she does it anyway. And this time..." He stops himself. "You foolish girl. This is what you deserve for stuffing yourself with that bacon."