Page 39 of Shadow Witch

“Of course,” Henry answered. “Paige, I shall save you from this foul beast.”

“Didn’t really ask you to, but okay,” Paige murmured.

“Will the competitors step forward?” Dominic asked.

Both men approached the spinning realm entry point. “On my mark, you may enter and begin. Three, two, one, enter.”

The two men raced forward, diving simultaneously into the portal. The spinning circle disappeared, and a massive split screen appeared hovering above everyone’s heads.

On one side, Devon raced through a jungle scene. On the other, Henry hurried through a desert setting. Two announcers appeared between them, discussing the events as they unfolded.

“It looks like we’re off to a quick start, Charlie,” the dark-haired one said into his microphone.

“That’s right, Sam. What’ll be interesting to watch is how these two very different men get through this course designed to challenge…well, anyone, but especially them.”

“Wow, this is…intense.” Paige eyed the screen as Devon hurdled over a fallen tree, then pushed himself at a hard pace to get through the first area. Above his screen, a map hovered, showing his progress toward the artifact he sought.

“He’s got a long way to go,” Dewey said as he tossed a few oyster crackers into his mouth.

“Yeah. Why is he running that fast? He’s going to run out of steam at the end. It’s a marathon, not a sprint.”

“Oh, the odds are with you on that, Paigey. Look at how they’re going down. Henry’s coming up. His pace is slower, but he could keep that up for the entire course.”

“So much for Devon wiping the floor with Henry,” Paige said with a shake of her head.

“Wow, you’re judgy,” Drucinda replied. “While you were in there, Devon remained supportive of your chances to win.”

Paige frowned at the woman’s comment, guilt coursing through her. “Hey, what was with the weird pep talk?”

“Devon requires lots of praise and bolstering. You’ll see once you’re married. Shower him with praise, and you’ll be just fine.”

“Are you serious? He’s so needy.”

“But he’s hot and rich, so it doesn’t matter,” Dewey said. “Uh-oh…Devon’s in a spot of trouble.”

Paige slid her eyes back to the screen as he skidded to a stop at a large drop off. The camera panned across, showing a chasm that was impossible to jump.

Devon glanced at it for a second before he transformed into beast mode and flew across. The announcers continued with their analysis. “And the first challenge is handled easily by Devon who activates his wings and sails right over it.”

“Did they announce like this in mine?” Paige asked, sliding her eyes momentarily sideways before she flicked them back to the screen.

“Oh, yeah. Only yours was like ‘And it looks like Paige Turner has died yet again as she continues to struggle with this first challenge’,” Dewey answered. “Oh, and like a twenty-minute discussion of whether or not that was your real name.”

Paige’s shoulders slumped at both comments.

“See, I told you if I use your real name in my book no one will believe it’s real,” Dewey answered as he munched on a few more crackers.

“Unbelievable,” Paige grumbled as she watched Henry sliding down a giant mountain of sand before he continued across the scorching desert.

“Is it?” Dewey asked. “Wow, I have got to stop eating the snacks. I’m going to be full before the banquet.”

“I can’t believe how popular this is.”

“Oh-ho-ho, a double Amor Fortis? This is better than winning the lottery, Paige. I mean, come on. Watching four people battle it out for love? Yes, please,” Dewey answered as he grabbed another cone filled with trail mix.

“I thought you were going to stop eating?” Paige asked.

“Yeah, after this. This is health food to keep my strength up. We still have some time. Neither of them has reached the midpoint of the course yet.”

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