Page 105 of Shadow Witch

The judge leaned closer to his microphone. “The decision is final. Please step from the realm.”

“No!” Henry cried. “I will not. I should have won. This competition is fixed!”

“That is untrue. Devon’s choice to forego his personal urge to kill you in order to please his future bride was the clincher. You failed to be selfless, and your behavior now confirms it.” The judge shook his head as he stared at the screen. “If you do not step from the realm, you shall be in violation of the rules and forcibly removed.”

“Not before I kill this beast.”

Men scurried toward the realm entrance hovering near Dominic. “Stop him before he kills my son,” Dominic growled, thrusting a finger at the swirling portal.

The men nodded before they attempted to enter. The first man leapt at the portal, but bounced back, falling onto the floor with a furrowed brow. A second tried but had the same result.

“That’s right. I took precautions in the event that this happened,” Henry announced. He lifted a pendant from under his armor.

Dewey gasped, a paw flying to his lips.

“What is that?” Paige asked.

“A portal blocker. It stops anyone else from entering the realm.”

Heat washed over Paige as she stared with wide eyes at the screen. “So, Devon’s trapped?”

“No, if he can get to the exit, he can get out. But Henry’s blocking it. And no one can get in to him.”

Paige chewed her lower lip.

“He’s using a realm blocker!” Dominic shouted. “Quickly, find a reverse blocker to counter it!”

“You’re trapped here, beast,” Henry snarled at him. “And by the time they can get in here, all that will be left is your broken body.”

“Wow, that’s rough,” Dewey said. “He’s really angry.”

“Henry! Stop!” Paige said as she leapt from her chair.

“Sorry, darling,” he shouted back, “but I must do this. For our future. For our children.”

“What children?” Dewey asked before he sucked in a sharp breath. “Are you pregnant?”

“No,” Paige answered. “He’s delusional.”

Paige pressed her hands against her cheeks as Henry returned his gaze to Devon, crouching lower as he stalked forward.

“Say your goodbyes, beast. I am going to end your life.”

CHAPTER 24

Paige held her breath as Henry sliced at Devon. The vampire danced backward away from the blade before he crouched, trying to anticipate Henry’s next move.

The crowd oohed and aahed as the battle raged inside the realm.

Devon somersaulted away from Henry as he made another move. He leapt to his feet, his teeth clenched. “You’re a coward! Give me a sword, and let’s fight like real men.”

“You’re not a real man. You’re a vile beast who doesn’t deserve to live,” Henry taunted.

“But I’m the beast who’s going to kick your ass and then marry Paige.”

“Kick it, Devon!” Dewey shouted through his cupped paws.

“Over my dead body,” Henry growled.

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