Page 64 of Shadow Witch

“Kind of pretty? Paige, you’re a stunner! This is the one.”

Paige smiled at herself in the mirror. “I like it. Okay, this is it.”

“It’s lovely,” another voice said from behind them. “Too bad you’ll never get to wear it.”

Paige twisted to face Ivy, a frown forming on her face. “Get out of here.”

“Actually, we should both get out of here,” Ivy said with a smirk. “It’s almost time for me to kick your behind in the gauntlet.”

“The only behind you’re going to kick is your own!” Paige shouted, jabbing a finger at her.

“Yeah!” Dewey yelled before he flicked his gaze to Paige. “Wait, what?”

“I don’t know…I just…it came out and it didn’t make good sense but I was committed.”

“Well, anyway, Paige may have said that wrong, but she’s going to kick your butt and wear this dress tomorrow when she becomes royalty,” Dewey said.

“Right,” Paige answered with a bob of her head. “And now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to change so that I can get ready to win.”

Paige grabbed her skirt and waddled behind the screen to change into the costume awaiting her.

“Do you need the butter and plastic wrap?” Drucinda asked.

“No,” Paige answered as she wrangled the leather pants higher. “I’m so mad I just yanked them right on.”

She emerged from behind the screen, dressed and ready. “I’m ready to kick some Venompire butt.”

“Wow, you’re fired up,” Drucinda said with an arch of her eyebrow.

Dewey buzzed around the room in a circle. “Paige is about to win!”

“It’s the leather pants,” Paige said. “You were right. They really transform you. Let’s do this!”

She hopped into a crouched lunge position with her hands stretched out like claws.

“Yeah, don’t do that. You look ridiculous. Even in leather trousers,” Drucinda answered with a shake of her head. “Come on.”

She led them from the room as Dewey landed on Paige’s shoulder. “Shake it off, buddy. I thought you looked cool.”

“Me too. Thanks, Dewey.”

They met Devon at the top of the stairs. “Did you get a dress?”

“I did. It’s very nice. I hope you get to see it.”

“I will, Paige. I believe in you.”

She smiled at him as they strode into the ballroom. “That makes one of us.”

The competitors met in the center of the room on either side of Dominic. A challenge realm entrance portal floated behind him.

“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome back to round two of the Amor Fortis for the ladies. In this round, Paige and Ivy will run the gauntlet. The winner is the one who emerges first. If there is a tie, the judges shall weigh in on their performance.”

Paige breathed out a long sigh as she tried to steady her nerves. If she could put this challenge away, she’d be one step closer to finding her mom. If she failed, though…

She shook her head. No, she couldn’t think of that. She had to stay positive. She could win. She could do it. She was smart. Talented.

“Ready to lose, loser?” Ivy taunted.

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