Page 86 of Shadow Witch

Paige’s eyes widened as she stared at the woman. “Seriously?”

“Oh, yes. He’s loads of fun. And he always has the best we–“

Before could finish her statement, wind swirled around them and the Fairy Circle disappeared. Paige’s stomach rolled as they whirled in an unknown place before details filled in around them. She stared down at a cartoon image of herself before she snapped her gaze up to the eerie house in front of them. Bats flew from a tower poking into the air.

“Wow, it’s just like the show,” she murmured.

“Eyva?” a voice that seemed familiar to her shouted from behind them. “Back so soon?”

The woman twisted with a flirty grin playing on her features. “Yes, but…not for you, darling.”

“Are you sure?” the man asked as he strolled over to them with a dog in tow.

“Unfortunately, yes. We’ve lost a member of our party, and we’re merely retracing our steps to find him. You haven’t seen him, have you? Tiny fellow. Teal. Dragon.”

The man rubbed his chin. “Nope. But we’ve been busy sleuthing a case. Some joker has been haunting this house. And we aim to find out who. Isn’t that right, Rube?”

“Rube?” Paige asked.

“Yeah, my dog. Ruby-Doo.”

“But…” Paige shook her head.

The man poked his thumb at her. “I can see she’s just as confused as she was last night.”

“Oh, yes. Poor Paige is still getting the hang of magical things,” Eyva said with an apologetic glance and a shrug.

The man stared at Paige, his eyes sliding up and down her before he shrugged. “Well, feel free to have a look around. I haven’t seen your dragon friend, but maybe he’s hanging around in the house.”

“Thanks,” Drucinda said as she grabbed hold of her grandmother’s arm and tugged her away. “Come along, Grandmother, this isn’t the time for flirting.”

“Didn’t you just give your number to that dragon?” Paige asked.

“Yes. What has that to do with Raggy?”

“Raggy?” Paige questioned.

Eyva thumbed toward the green-shirted man with the dog.

“Oh, right. Well, anyway, how many boyfriends do you want?”

“Zero. I’m not looking for a commitment here. Just a lovely time.”

“Enough,” Drucinda answered as she kicked the door in and dragged her grandmother into the foyer of the dilapidated house.

“Wow, it’s just as creepy as it was on the shows.” Paige shivered as she stepped into the cobweb-ridden space. “I’ll bet there’s a ghost lurking around the corner.”

“Yes, after slinking from a hidden passage. Don’t worry, it’s likely just the local grocer in a mask or the house’s owner wearing a sheet.”

“Was that the way it really was or did the show make that up?”

“No, the Ruby-Doo squad managed to discredit thousands of hauntings. It all happened just like it did on the show.”

“Wow. That’s…okay, well I guess we don’t have anything to worry about then.” Paige pushed ahead into a darkened room. “Dewey! Hey, Dewey!”

They wandered around the house in search of their tiny friend, finding nothing but paintings with moving eyes and whispers of ghosts that never appeared.

“I don’t think he’s here,” Paige said with a groan as they reached the last room.

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