Shadow Witch by Nellie H. Steele

Author:Nellie H. Steele [Steele, Nellie H.]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi, azw3
Tags: Paranormal, Supernatural, Contemporary, Mystery, Magic, Dragons, Adventure, Urban Fantasy, Fiction
Publisher: A Novel Idea Publishing, LLC
Published: 2024-08-13T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 17

Paige’s hands trembled as Dominic stared at her, awaiting an answer.

“Ms. Turner?” he asked again as she failed to answer, her eyes wide and her throat dry.

“That’s future Mrs. LaBlanc,” Devon shouted. A few hoots and claps went up from the crowd as Paige finally snapped back to reality.

“Uh, yeah, ready.”

“Ready to lose, I hope,” Ivy said as Dominic motioned toward the realm.

“Contestants, please enter and take your places at the podiums.”

Paige stepped forward, her feet feeling like lead as she walked and slipped into the other realm. Lucious greenery surrounded her as she climbed onto a pedestal and stared at a massive pink flower between them. Her heart skipped a beat as it opened its petal-like mouth and spoke.

“Welcome, welcome. I’m your moderator Fleur le Petal. I’ll be the one overseeing this challenge today. Contestants, before we begin with the coin toss to determine the order, I’ll explain the process.

“You must conjure images of powerful, heartfelt memories. Once you have your image, press and hold the red button in front of you to project it from your brain into the world. There will be three rounds. Judges will score after each round. Any questions?”

Paige’s forehead creased as she tried to sort through the information.

“No,” Ivy answered, “I’m ready.”

“Uh, me too,” Paige said with a nod, wiping her sweaty palms against her pants.

“Then we’ll begin. I’ll throw the coin. The challenger, Ivy, will make her call. You can choose from petals or roots.”

The flower readied the coin on a hand-like leaf and shifted his head toward Ivy. “Petals,” she said.

He nodded and tossed the coin in the air. “It’s roots. Choice goes to Ms. Turner.”

The odd, talking flower turned toward her for her answer. “Uhh, I’ll go second.”

It worked for Henry, she thought.

“All right. Ms. Delacroix, you are first. Begin your memory process now and press the button when you’re ready. You have a two-minute limit on memory conjuring. If you do not press the button within two minutes, you will automatically forfeit the round.”

“Don’t worry about that,” Ivy said with a smirk as she pressed her hand against the button. “I’m ready.”

Paige leaned back as a giant three-dimensional hologram of Ivy’s memory filled the space between them. A dapper Devon in a tuxedo danced with a ballgown-clad Ivy. Both grinned at each other.

Paige shifted her weight as she studied the memory, likely of their first dance. “Great,” she murmured under her breath as the memory faded.

“All right, over to you, Ms. Turner. Same rules, you have two minutes.”

Paige sucked in a breath, her palms turning sweatier as she strove to find as chic an image as the one Ivy conjured. With a shrug, she went for one of the kisses Devon had recently planted on her, hoping it had some emotional impact.

She pressed the button and let the image form.

“All right,” Fleur answered as it faded. “Word from the judges?”

Paige flicked her gaze to the screen containing the live feed from the real world as the judges conferred. “The first round goes to…Ivy.

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