Page 30 of Shadow Witch

“Really? Because I’m not so sure.” She stared into space for a moment before she flicked her gaze to Devon. “Would it be possible for us to elope? Would your dad give us the soul compass then?”

“No, that’s impossible.”

“He’s right,” Drucinda said. “Running and marrying on the sly is grounds for immediate death in this situation.”

“Shoot.”

“I really appreciate the offer, though, Paige,” Devon said. “It makes me really happy that you’d elope with me if we could.”

“Yeah, no problem,” Paige said, her nose wrinkled as she wondered if he actually thought she was doing this for more than just her mom. Maybe she could use this memory as one of her nice moments with Devon. Would it actually beat anything Ivy had though?

With no knowledge of their relationship, she was stuck hoping they’d never actually had any tender moments that could beat her few.

“You should get some rest. You’ll have to get ready within the hour to begin the first challenge,” Drucinda said. “And the way you look, you’ll never make it.”

“I still think we should spend the time brainstorming ways to get out of this. There has to be something that can cancel this or undo it. Some loophole.”

“There is none. This is binding. Sorry.” Drucinda offered her a simple shrug as though that put the matter to rest.

“Ooooh, I’ve got it.” Paige leapt to her feet with a grin on her face. “I’ve got it. I’ve got it.”

“Got what?” Dewey asked. “A way to kill Ivy during one of the competitions so you’ll win by default?”

“No.” She screwed up her face as she shook her head. “No. I know how I can get out of this. Break my leg.”

“What?” Devon asked.

“Break my leg. If I’m injured, I can’t participate.”

“If you are injured, you participate injured, you dimwit,” Drucinda answered. “I would highly recommend you do not break your leg.”

Paige collapsed into the chair with a sour expression. “You’re kidding. I thought…there would be some kind of release or something. I mean, what if I couldn’t physically participate?”

“Then you’d lose and die.” Drucinda flicked her ponytail. “Any other stupid questions?”

“What if I was already dead? I could fake my death.”

“Then I’d have to marry Ivy,” Devon groaned.

“Or Henry would if he beats you.”

Devon shook his head. “No, Henry challenged me for your hand. If you’re dead, the competition ends.”

Paige’s eyes went wide. “So…if Devon fakes his death…”

“You’d marry Henry,” Dewey said before his jaw fell open. “Or was this your plan all along?”

“What? No. I don’t want to marry Henry. Never mind…I’m just…throwing ideas out here, trying to find something that’ll work. What if we kill Ivy?”

“Anyone want to volunteer to kill Ivy Delacroix?” Dewey asked, flicking his gaze around the room. “Yeah, didn’t think so.”

“I’d love to kill her. Unfortunately, she won’t stay dead,” Drucinda said. “And I doubt we’ll get near her at the moment. Her security will be way too heavy.”

“Damn it,” Paige muttered under her breath.

“Paige, come on. I have every faith that you can win. I believe in you.” Devon grinned at her as he bobbed his head.

“Well, that makes one of us. And as far as resting, I can’t rest now. I’ll just lie there and fret over what’s about to happen. This is horrible. I thought this was going to be hard enough convincing Dominic that Devon and I were a real couple, but this…well, this takes the cake.”

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