Page 95 of Shadow Witch

“Uh, if Dewey isn’t here, why are we still stuck here? Shouldn’t we be whisked away to the ruins?” Paige asked.

“No,” Eyva said. “We’re not finished here.”

“What else do we have to do?”

Eyva led her down the street toward a boutique. “I need to pick up my dress for the wedding. They said they’d have it ready today for me.”

“Are you serious? You brought us round to this place for your dress?” Drucinda asked.

“Well, I needed one. Honestly, Drucinda, drink more water. You’re still hungover and crabby.”

“I am not. This is my natural personality.”

“No, it isn’t. You’re usually less sour and more arrogant. I prefer you that way.”

“I just want to find Dewey. Devon’s test is coming up in less than an hour. You know how he tends to get beforehand. I should be there to pump up his ego.”

“All right, well, if you want to be there for your friend, go back. Paige and I will be fine.”

Drucinda heaved a sigh as they ducked into the boutique. “Doubtful. Paige is still learning.”

“Aww,” Paige said with a gooey grin, “you care about me.”

“I wouldn’t go that far.” Drucinda grabbed a complimentary bottle of water from the basket as Eyva gave her name to the girl at the desk.

“Oh, yes, we have your dress ready for you. Wait until you see it!” The woman grinned at her before she disappeared into a back room.

She emerged with a dress bag and hung it on a clothes tree. She grinned over her shoulder as she unzipped it. Light beamed from within as the dress’s fluffy fabric spilled out.

“Ohhh, it’s perfect,” Eyva said with a clap of her hands.

Paige crinkled her nose. “Is it glowing?”

“Yes, I got rainbow moon fabric. It’s lovely. Oh, don’t worry, dear, it won’t outshine your dress. I can dial its radiance down anytime I’d like.”

“Do you want to try it on?” the woman asked.

“No, no, no. We’re in a bit of a hurry. I’ll just take the dress. I trust you.”

The woman shoved the fabric back inside the dress bag and zipped it. “If there are any problems, just let us know. We can credit your account for a new dress.”

Eyva grabbed the garment bag from her with a nod. “I’m certain it’s fine. Thank you so much.”

She spun toward Drucinda as she draped it over her arm. “There, I’m finished. Happy?”

“Infinitely,” Drucinda answered as she whipped the door open to head back to the street. “Now let’s–“

Her voice cut off as the winds whipped around them, and the marketplace fell away, replaced by a jungle. When the ruckus died down, Paige found herself staring at a set of ruins, half-hidden by the vines that choked the stones.

“Wow, what is this place?”

“Ancient werewolf temple,” Eyva answered. “You girls check it out. I’ll wait here. This dress is too heavy to lug around.”

“Do you think Dewey’s inside?” Paige asked as she followed Drucinda forward to the crumbling structure.

“We’ll find out. If he’s not here, at least we’ll only have one place left to check.”

“What if he’s not in either place?”

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