Lost in the Woods

Chapter 7: Play the Game

Celine's perspective

I was so close to being done with this house. And with him.

This dangerous, dubious, magic-wielding man who had no concept of personal space. Not once, but twice now, he had invaded mine. First, watching me sleep - what kind of pervert does that? - and then, God help me, kissing my bloodied fingertips. I didn't care what excuses he had. He could give me a hundred reasons, each more poetic than the last, and he would still give me the worst kind of vibe.

I stalked through the corridors, turning into one after another, feeling like I was walking in circles. I realized how tired I still was, despite the nap I had taken. When I finally descended a set of red-carpeted stairs - finally! - I found myself in yet another overly decorated room. And at the end of it? The only visible exit was another damn staircase leading up.

My legs nearly gave out. I had to grip the railing just to keep myself from collapsing down the last few steps. This is not happening.

Whatever game Blaine was playing, I was losing badly.

I let myself drop onto the stairs, head falling into my hands. Deep down, I already knew what I had to do - I'd known for a while now. I just didn't want to admit it. Or give in so easily. I wasn't the kind of person who gave up when it was time to, even when I should have. I kept going, on and on, long past the moment things were over. It was just how I was.

Sighing, I raised my head, unwilling to waste any more time feeling sorry for myself. If I wanted to stand a chance at winning his game, I had to play it first - not keep running. I had to face him, no matter how insufferable or dangerous he was.

Blaine had me trapped, using River as leverage. Now, I had to pay the price for my own stupidity. It was the only way I might find a way out.

- - -

Five hours later

Being a career failure might have had its advantages - not financially, of course, but psychologically? Absolutely. I could endure disappointment, and more importantly, I had learned how to move on quickly after.

That skill had been put to the test in the past few hours. First, I tried navigating back to where I started. No luck. Then, I searched for Blaine - how I was beginning to hate that name! - but found nothing. When that failed, I looked for the "bargaining room" or at least the stained-glass window. Still nothing. At this point, I had no choice but to push past my frustration, swallow yet another disappointment, and keep going.

It was like job hunting, really - wandering aimlessly, hitting dead ends, forcing myself to stay calm. At least that part felt familiar.

At some point, exhaustion won. I collapsed onto a couch and slept for two hours - huge mistake. It looked big and soft but turned out to be deceivingly uncomfortable, and I woke up feeling even worse - neck stiff, back sore, more drained than before.

Now, I was in another strange room - not that any room in this house could be considered normal. The walls were draped in deep blue tapestries, the floor was covered in dark tiles, and large windows overlooked the endless woods and the sun just emerging above the horizon. In the center stood a stone bench, surrounded by an abundance of leafy potted plants, all gathered around a small indoor pond. Yes, a pond. Inside the house. Lined with smooth stones, dotted with water weeds, and home to exactly two fish - one golden, the other gray with black spots.

I sat curled up on the bench, legs tucked beneath me, watching the fish swim in slow, lazy circles.

How do you summon someone in their own house?

Was Blaine avoiding me? Was he sulking because I had pushed him away when he - ugh - kissed my hands? Surely, he wasn't that petty... right?

Then again, maybe he was.

I closed my eyes and pictured Blaine stepping through that ridiculously oversized wooden door of this room, his wicked smile in place, dressed in those old-fashioned black clothes. I'd tell him it was a new day and to bring River as soon as possible. And something to eat, since the kitchen still refused to appear - and luckily, I hadn't yet needed a bathroom.

A sudden splash made me snap my eyes open. One of the fish had jumped, breaking the stillness of the water. The simplicity of it - the way life carried on as if I weren't stuck in this ridiculous situation - made something irrational flare in me. I was trapped, wasting time, completely at the mercy of a man I barely understood. And yet, the world kept moving.

I pressed my hands into the bench, took a deep breath, and with all the strength I could muster, shouted, "Blaine!" at the top of my lungs.

For a brief moment, I almost scolded myself for being so hysterical - until I felt a hand on my shoulder and nearly tumbled into the pond. I jumped to my feet, spinning around just in time to see Blaine grinning like a mischievous child at my startled state. Then, just as quickly, the smile disappeared.

"Have you called me?"

No. Don't tell me this is all I had to do to find him. And don't tell me he simply teleported here.

I cleared my throat, forcing any sign of hesitation from my voice. It's now or never, Celine. You won't know if it works unless you try.

"I want you to call River here. Right now, this morning," I said, and to my own surprise, my voice actually sounded steady.

Blaine tilted his head, as if considering, but I knew better. He probably already made up his mind. "Hm, I'd say it's not yet time-"

"No, let me finish," I interrupted, watching his face carefully for any sign of anger. But instead of irritation, he looked... surprised. Taking that as encouragement, I pushed on. "I'll go on a date with you right after, if you bring River here now."

Oh gods, please let this be what he wants, or I'm screwed.

I tried to exhale the breath I had been holding without making it obvious. Blaine's face was unreadable, but I guess I didn't knew him for more than a day to be able to read it. Those black, bottomless eyes fixed on me like twin windows into the night, and with his pale skin - not sickly, but more like a statue - and raven hair like a lion's mane, he truly had the appearance of a creature from a gothic novel. If he told me he was a vampire, I'd probably believe it. Then again, what did that matter in comparison to the fact that he was toying with dimensions?

He broke the stare and chuckled, running a hand through his hair - the first gesture of his that actually seemed human - and I realized, with a strange unease, that we had been staring at each other. How odd.

"That sounds delightful," he answered simply. The way he said it sent an odd sensation twisting through my stomach - part anticipation, part dread. "You're full of surprises."

Oh, shut up.

I turned away and settled back on the bench the way I did before, tucking my hands under my legs - this time, to hide their shaking.

"I'll wait here for him," I stated firmly. "Please, don't take too long." Or I might end up eating those fish raw, I added to myself.

I really hoped this date I suggested would involve food.

Blaine didn't respond and I tried not to look at him. I heard him walk away, his footsteps eerily light for someone of his size. That was the shortest conversation I'd had with him so far, and I fully intended to keep future ones just as brief.

Once I was sure I was alone, I let out a long sigh.

"Oh, River," I whispered to the pond. "I hope you're still the one I always knew."

But now, all I could do was wait.

I pulled one hand free and brought it to my mouth, meaning to bite my nails out of frustration, but suddenly I tasted the salty flavor of blood, which pulled my mind back to Blaine. I spat it into the pond and returned to sulking.