Page 79 of Shadow Witch

“At the party last night before I was drugged,” Paige answered.

“Grandmother, we need to go back into the realm portal to search for him. We’re going to have to retrace our steps until we figure out what happened.”

“Right, of course. I’d be happy to help. I can open the portal again. And I’d be happy to go with you. I have a few memories. I may be able to lead you through our adventure last night.”

“Fine,” Drucinda said with a nod as she tugged open a drawer and slid a knife into a hidden pocket on her pants. “Let’s go. We need to be back here by two for Paige to marry Devon. Assuming he wins today.”

“You’re going to make such a lovely bride,” Eyva said with a grin at Paige.

“Thanks. Right now, I just hope I’m here to be a bride.”

“Of course, you will be. It’ll be much faster to retrace our steps sober. Come along, let’s begin.”

Evya tugged a small pouch from her pocket and pinched out a tiny bit of glowing green powder before she tossed it in the air and muttered a few words Paige didn’t understand.

A realm portal popped open, swirling in front of them as it pulsated with a greenish glow.

Paige’s throat went dry as she stared at it, wondering what awaited them on the other side. She desperately hoped they would hop through, find Dewey immediately, and return, though she had a bad feeling that wouldn’t be the case.

However having learned that Eyva had been responsible for their drugging, not Ivy, left her wondering who had kidnapped her poor little friend…and what it would take to get him back.

“You coming?” Drucinda asked as she stepped toward the portal.

“Yes,” Paige said, her stomach twisting into a knot.

As she stepped forward, the shimmering portal caressed her skin, making her hair stand on end until wet heat surrounded her. She glanced around at a jungle-like forest. “What is this place?”

“Magical Forest Realm,” Drucinda answered as her grandmother joined them and the portal back to the real world disappeared.

“Ah, I love it here,” Eyva said. “Beautiful weather, isn’t it?”

“Not really. It’s muggy,” Paige said. “My clothes are already sticking to me.”

“Just the way I like it.” Evya sucked in a deep breath. “Now, last night, we decided to have a bit of fun in the whirlpools.”

“That’s how I ended up in a swimsuit,” Paige said.

Eyva winked at her. “Yep. This way.”

Eyva led them through the towering trees, passing glowing mushrooms and neon flies. “You know, if you’re ever in need of a good buzz, these mushrooms will–“

Paige held up a hand. “Thanks, but no thanks. One buzz last night is enough to last me a lifetime.”

“Maybe Dewey took a few of these mushrooms and is completely stoned and forgot to come home,” Drucinda said.

“That doesn’t sound like…well, I mean, yeah, could have happened,” Paige said with a nod. “I really hope he’s lounging on the beaches of the whirlpool.”

“There are no beaches, dear,” Eyva said. “There’s just a steep drop-off into the pool.”

“Oh…you mean, you can’t wade in?”

“Nope. You just leap in and ride around.”

Paige scrunched her features at the statement as they continued walking. The roaring sound of water grew louder and louder until they finally reached a large crater. The water inside swirled rapidly.

Paige grimaced as she stared at it. “We got inside that?”

“Yes, we did. Oh, what fun it was. Well, after the vomiting stopped,” Eyva said.

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