She vanishes.
I stare at the empty space, an odd feeling of melancholy remaining behind.
Someone touches my shoulder. Moe. I turn and see her smile through tears.
“She promised we will meet again,” she whispers.
I pull her into my arms, holding her through silent sobs, burying my face in her hair as I shield my damp eyes.
With my points going up,it’s time for us to change our accommodation. After my latest fight, I’m officially at five hundred fifty points, which makes me eligible for a room in a better district.
Moe’s already packed everything—not that we have a lot. As we make our way towards the obelisk, she’s carrying a small bag filled with her notebooks and writing supplies, while I have a bigger one filled with our clothes.
“I so want a better room, but somehow I’ll miss our old one,” she confesses.
“I’m curious how big it’s going to be. I’m not expecting anything similar to Lis, but maybe a separate bathroom instead of that small closet?” I laugh.
“And a bathtub. I’dloveto have a nice, long soak.”
“We can have soak in it together,” I whisper as I throw my arm over her shoulders.
“You have such a dirty mind.” She gives me a long, suggestive look.
“Me? I was just suggesting a bath! You’re the one thinking dirty thoughts, Moe!”
“Right, right.” She shakes her head. “You’re the epitome of innocence and I am the bad influence.”
“Well, of course,” I reply smoothly. “I only need one look at you and I am immediately influenced. And then you also have the gall to smile at me and bat those pretty lashes and then you complain when I lift your skirt and?—”
She quickly presses her hand over my mouth to shut me up.
“People can hear us,” she whispers.
“So? Then they can also hear you aremineand only mine.”
“You’re impossible, Nyk.”
“Am I?” I raise a brow. “You almost never used to wear skirts here, but after I bent you over that one time and had my way with you, you’ve been wearing them quite often.”
She reddens. “Well… It’s warm and… Uhm…”
I chuckle and kiss her nose. “If I’m impossible, you’re the sum of all possibilities for me.” I wink at her.
A loud siren blasts across the entire realm—afamiliarsound.
Warriors freeze mid-step. Merchants fall silent. My stomach drops before the wraith even appears.
No. Not again.
Moe and I look at each other, horror mirrored in our expressions. Memories of the last Culling still haunt me. We were lucky then because Lis saved us. Now, without her… We are fucked.
Moe’s hand finds mine, and we both retreat to a secluded spot, ready to flee at any moment. I use my shadows to hide our presence should my name be called out.
As before, a wraith descends from the blood-red sky, robes twisting around his frame as he hovers above the marketplace. Then his amplified voice rolls across the realm.
“Attention, combatants of Aimaxion.”
The crowd gathers fast to await the orders of the realm. Their expressions are filled with hunger and excitement. The next marked target of Aimaxion might just be their ticket out of here—if they get to it first.
