Page 61 of Shadow Witch

Her heart sank as Henry managed to edge out Devon by a tenth of a point. Paige’s shoulders slumped as she slid her gaze to Devon.

His biceps bulged as he pounded his fists against his thighs with a curse escaping his lips.

“Shake it off, Devon. You’ve got one more battle to go to prove yourself. You’ve got this,” Drucinda told him.

“Just adds to the excitement.” Devon smashed one fist against his palm as he eyed Henry. “All the more excitement before I take you down.”

“I shall prevail. It is obvious my devotion to Paige shall help me win.”

“You aren’t winning anything, pal,” Devon answered, his chest puffing as he lunged at the man.

“We shall see, beast,” Henry answered, locking his hands onto Devon’s shoulders as they struggled back and forth before rolling across the floor.

“Hey!” Paige shouted as chants for the fight to continue broke out. “Stop it.”

“Fight, fight, fight, fight!” Dewey chanted, pumping his fists in the air.

“Stop, Dewey. I don’t want them fighting. The Amor Fortis is bad enough, but this is just a stupid display of testosterone.”

“Exactly, it’s awesome, Paige.”

“It’s not awesome, it’s just stupid. I can’t believe that they are–“ Pain bloomed in the back of her head, and she stumbled forward a few steps. “Ow, what the hell?”

She whipped around to find Ivy lunging at her.

The woman barreled into her, knocking her to the ground. They rolled a few feet before Ivy landed on top of her. She yanked back her arm, her fist cocked, but before she could slam it into Paige’s jaw, Drucinda grabbed her by the hair and tossed her aside.

“Pick on someone your own size, Ivy,” Drucinda spat at her.

Paige scrambled to her feet, her eyes wide. She scanned the room. Fights had broken out all over the ballroom and chaos ensued. “What is happening?”

“Fight!” Drucinda answered before she punched a random person who rushed toward her, then kicked someone’s feet out from under them. “Happens all the time in Amor Fortises. Just find a random person and deck them. It’ll make you feel better.”

“What? No.” Paige shook her head as she caught sight of Dewey smashing a tray of food over someone’s head before he flew away. “Everyone has gone crazy.”

“Fun, right?” Drucinda said as she took out two people with a single kick.

Paige slowly backed away, trying to escape the fray when a firm hand clamped down on her. She twisted, fear rising in her, to find Devon.

He scooped her up and carried her from the room.

“What are you doing?”

“Escaping with my bride-to-be,” he said with a grin. “That’ll rage for at least another thirty minutes. Giving us the perfect time to spend together and regroup before the next battle.”

“Right.”

“Oh, and you need to go dress shopping. That’s when the fight will die down.”

“This is insanity. Also, will you please put me down? I’m not a damsel in distress. I don’t need to be carried around.”

“Yeah, as soon as we get to the tower,” he answered with a wink as he took the stairs two by two.

Paige held back rolling her eyes, pleased to be away from the ridiculous battle raging in the ballroom even if it meant being carried to the tower room by a vampire. They arrived, and Devon set her down. She took a step before he grabbed her and planted a kiss on her.

“Okay,” she answered when he finally pulled back. “What is happening?”

“I’m apologizing. Paige, I’m sorry I blew that. I’m terrible at written things. I’m much better at just being hot.”

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