Page 33 of Shadow Witch

They arrived in the banquet hall, and Paige wondered how chafed her skin would be by the end of the night. A large crowd gathered inside. Food and drink flowed freely and the din of excited chatter filled the room.

As she entered, a hush came over the crowd. Dominic centered his eyes on her, a smirk on his face. “Well, ladies and gentlemen, it looks like we are finally ready to begin. The Riddle of Hearts shall commence now.”

Paige swallowed hard, her heart beating like a wild drum against her ribs. She was about to take on the challenge of a lifetime. Could she survive?

CHAPTER 8

Paige’s hands skittered as she wiped her sweaty palms down her leather pants. She hated the things. It would have been so much better to wear cotton. But she’d have to lament her wardrobe choices later.

Ivy stalked toward the center of the room, looking far more comfortable in her leather outfit than Paige. She lifted her chin, offering Paige a haughty glance. “I’m ready.”

Paige curled her fingers into fists, feeling anything but ready. “Me too,” she blurted out anyway.

“Excellent,” Dominic said. “Then step forward and enter the challenge realm.”

He waved his hand toward a swirling bubble that appeared in the center of the room. Paige’s heart ramped up as she spotted it. Mist covered a series of islands that led to a golden door. She swallowed hard, her knees turning to jelly.

“Good luck, Paige,” Devon whispered. “We’re all pulling for you.”

“Yeah. I’ll be here eating popcorn and hoping you win,” Dewey said.

“Thanks, buddy. I appreciate that.”

“No problem. I’ll eat some for you, too.” He winked at her before she stepped forward.

Each step she took felt like a stride closer to her demise. Her heart pounded, blood rushing into her ears. At this pace, she wouldn't even reach the dreamscape realm; she'd black out before then.

Ivy looked cool as a cucumber as she awaited her fate. She smirked at Paige as they stood in front of the swirling entry point. “Good luck. You’ll need it.”

Paige wrinkled her nose at the woman’s barb. “Yeah, well, good luck to you, too, because…I’m going to win.”

“Are you really?” Her eyebrows shot up toward her hairline. “That’s a bold statement from…you.”

“What’s that supposed to mean? Devon and I have a major connection. We’re…in love. And so I’m going to win.”

Ivy chuckled at the statement. “Devon wouldn’t know what love is if Cupid shot him with a dozen arrows. And I happen to know you don’t love him. That’s going to be exposed soon enough. Good luck, darling. You’re about to be shown as the fraud you really are.”

“Ladies, step into the realm. The challenge begins now,” Dominic said.

Before Paige could step forward, Ivy shoved her, knocking her to the floor before she dove into the dreamscape realm.

“Ow!” Paige shouted as she landed hard on her hip. “What the hell?”

“Cheating and poor sportsmanship are not only allowed but encouraged,” Dominic answered.

Paige pushed up to stand as she shook her head. “Unbelievable. Fine. I’ll have to remember that.”

She dusted off her pants as her pulse began to race again. Before she could change her mind, she pushed herself forward into the dreamscape realm.

Blackness surrounded her for a few seconds before a blinding light. She squeezed her eyes closed before something tickled her cheek.

With one eye popped open, she slid her gaze sideways, finding a scroll floating in the air next to her. She snatched it and read the elaborate writing. “I am a memory that echoes in the silence of your heart, where secrets are kept and whispers are shared. What am I?”

Her forehead creased as she read it again silently. “How the hell should I know?”

She rubbed a finger against her lips before she shouted into the air. “Love!”

A lightning bolt shot from the sky, scorching the ground next to her and driving her back a few steps. “Whoa.”

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