Chapter 18

CHAPTER 18

" W h-what?" Paige stammered. "Missing? How do you know?"

Drucinda tugged her phone from her pocket. "I found this on my phone."

She flashed the screen to face them. A picture of a terrified Dewey shown from the screen. In his paws, he clutched a hastily written note that read HELP!

"OMG!" Paige shouted, wincing at the volume of her own voice. "Where was that taken?"

"No idea."

"Are there any other pictures on your phone?"

"There are some. Perhaps we should…view them privately."

"Why?"

Drucinda flipped to another photo and discreetly showed it to Paige. Her jaw dropped open as she viewed a picture of her riding a unicorn in a swimsuit. "What the hell?"

"I told you…we were drugged. Someone drugged us."

Paige closed her fingers into fists. "Ivy. She did this because I won. She's probably holding Dewey hostage to force me to give up Devon."

Devon's features went slack. "Are you going to do that?"

"No," Paige said, shaking her head before she winced as it made her brain hurt. "I'm not giving you up for Dewey or letting her do anything to Dewey. We're going to find him."

"Yeah, well, we'd better do that quickly. The wedding is in a few hours. Assuming Devon can win the Test of Selflessness."

"Wait, we have to go to that."

"No, we don't. We need to rescue Dewey. Devon, handle it on your own," Drucinda said as she massaged her temples.

"It's done. It's handled. I'll wrap this up at ten and check back with you."

"Thanks. Come on, Paige," Drucinda said as she grabbed her hand. "We need water and a private space to investigate what happened."

Paige nodded as Drucinda led her down the hall to her room. She shut them inside, locking the door behind them.

"I don't even want to look at those pictures based on the one you already shared," Paige said as she slumped into an armchair. "I can't believe Ivy did this to us."

Drucinda chugged down a bottle of water before she wiped at her lips with the back of her hand. "I don't think she did it."

"What?" Paige said as she accepted a bottle of water that Drucinda waved at her. "I can't drink this. My stomach is too upset."

"Drink it or you'll regret it. And this doesn't seem like Ivy's MO. Not by a long shot. She would have simply killed you."

Paige crinkled her brow as she took a sip of water, wincing as it hit her stomach. "Right. Yeah, I kind of expected that myself, but this is a pretty good option for her, too. I still don't believe it wasn't her. Who else would do this?"

"I don't know, but based on these pictures, it was a really wild night."

"OMG," Paige said as she sank her head into her hands. "How bad?"

Drucinda wrinkled her nose. "I'm wearing a cheerleader's uniform. How bad do you think it was?"

Paige took another sip of water as she stared at the flouncy skirt. "Right. Okay, well, I guess we have to see them."

She rose and peered over Drucinda's shoulder at the first picture. A laughing Paige pointed at a swirling portal as Dewey flew toward it. "What is that?"

"Realm portal. Someone opened a portal somewhere."

"Wow, I look completely blown away already. How fast does this stuff work?"

"Quick. Really, really quick." Drucinda flicked to the next picture on her phone.

Paige narrowed her eyes at the glowing blue stalks around them. "What is that place?"

"Enchanted forest. Okay, so we know where the realm portal went," Drucinda said.

"Should we start there?" Paige asked.

"We can. With any luck, we'll find the little man and be finished with this." She clicked off her phone and glanced down at her outfit. With a shake of her head, she strode across the room. "I've got to change."

"Wait, I want to change, too."

"Why? You're still in normal clothing despite the shot of you in the swimsuit." Drucinda dug clothes out of her drawer and disappeared into the bathroom.

"At least I had the good sense to change back," Paige said. " Okay, fine, I won't change. Let's just get going. I'd really like to find Dewey. I'm a little worried."

"Right," Drucinda said as she emerged from the bathroom in her usual leather pants and tank top. "Let's go."

Paige rose, her features scrunching. "Wait, wait, wait."

"What?"

"How are we going to get into that realm? How did it open to begin with?"

"I texted my grandmother. She can help us."

"Your grandmother is still alive?" Paige asked.

"Of course. Why wouldn't she be?"

Paige shook her head, making it pound again. "Oh, right. She lives forever."

A knock sounded at the door, and Drucinda crossed to tug it open. "Good morning, darlings," her grandmother, Eyva, said as she strode into the room. "Wild night, eh?"

Paige's eyes went wide. "You were there?"

"Of course. I opened the portal."

"You did?" Paige hurried toward the woman, her jaw agape. "What happened? Where is Dewey? Who did this to us?"

"I haven't the slightest clue. I was drugged, too. But since I was the only guest with portal-opening abilities, I must have done it."

Paige crinkled her forehead. "Stupid Ivy."

"Ivy? She wasn't there," Eyva said.

"But she was in spirit," Paige argued. "She's the one who drugged us."

Eyva shook her head. "No, definitely not."

"Who else would have done it?" Paige asked with a shrug.

"I did it." Eyva offered them a tight-lipped smile as she flicked her gaze between the two women.

" You did it?" Paige exclaimed, her features pinching. "Why? "

"The little dragon asked me to. He said he wanted me to help you all have an ‘epic time' at your bachelorette party."

"So you dosed us with Dream Dust?" Drucinda cried, her nose wrinkling.

"Yes, I did. That's a surefire way to have an epic time. And it appears we did. You looked darling in that cheerleader outfit."

"I thought you didn't remember anything," Drucinda said with a huff.

"Snippets here and there. I do remember that. Oh, I'm certain we had such fun. I hope the little fellow is happy with the results."

"I'm not happy," Paige said through clenched teeth. "I feel like crap. And Dewey is missing."

Eyva frowned. "Oh, dear. Well, best we find him. Where did you see him last?"

"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.

"You threw up?" Paige asked her.

Eyva slapped her thigh as she laughed. "No, of course not. You did several times, though."

"Sounds like a blast." Paige eyed the water as it whipped around like a carnival ride. "I don't see Dewey."

"Me either," Drucinda answered before she puckered her lips. "Which means we're stuck. The next photo on my phone is of no help."

She toggled on her device and brought up the image of stone walls behind an odd scene of Drucinda and Paige pretending to sword fight.

"So, we have no idea where we went next. That's great."

"Oh, that's the Wizard's Tower. It's at the edge of the realm," Eyva said .

"Are you sure?" Drucinda asked.

Eyva shrugged as she started to walk back into the forest. "Mostly. Besides, we haven't got another lead, have we?"

"No, we haven't," Drucinda said with a shake of her head. "All right. To the Wizard's Tower."

"That's exactly what you said last night," Evya said. "Albeit with a great deal more fervor."

Drucinda's features settled in an unimpressed stare. "Sorry. Last night I was high."

"You're quite a bit friendlier then. And definitely more relaxed."

Drucinda rolled her eyes at the words. "Just get us there."

"All right, all right." Eyva shifted her eyes to Paige and winced. "She always was a serious sort."

Paige chuckled at the words, encouraged by someone actually pointing out the rare flaw in Drucinda.

"Oh, yes, that's so funny. Hahaha, let's laugh about Drucinda being too serious."

"Sorry," Paige said, trying to control her laughter but only making it worse, "but you are really serious. Like way serious. I'm surprised if you've ever laughed in your life."

"I've laughed plenty of times. Mostly in people's faces as I am about to obliterate them," Drucinda answered.

Paige's chuckles died down. "Oh, come on. It has to be sort of miserable being ‘on' all the time."

"As opposed to you? You're rarely ever on. You're always just bumbling along, somehow managing."

"Yeah, okay, but I have fun doing it. I can laugh at myself."

"Don't worry, others are joining in that fun."

Paige narrowed her eyes at the woman. "Well, others are joining in…never mind."

Drucinda shot her a glance. "What?"

"Nothing."

"No, say it. Please. "

Paige shook her head. "Nah, I'm not going to be baited into an argument."

"You have nothing to say. Nothing. Others are joining in to do what?"

Paige pressed her lips together, tugging them into a frown.

"That's what I thought. You had no point."

Paige curled her fingers into fists as she stomped closer to Drucinda. "I had a point. The point is, it has to be hard to be you being so serious all the time. You're so smug but it's all just a cover, isn't it?"

"A cover for what?" Drucinda crinkled her eyebrows.

"I don't know," Paige said, avoiding the woman's gaze as she trudged along in the humid heat.

"I think you do. You obviously had something in mind when you said that."

Paige tugged a corner of her lips back and shrugged. "Like…acceptance?"

"Acceptance? By who?"

"People in general. It's okay, I mean, I get it. I didn't have any friends before the library. Neither did Dewey."

Drucinda clicked her tongue. "Cry me a river. I don't have friends either."

"Exactly–" Paige began when Drucinda cut her off.

"I have admirers. People who long to be as glorious as I am. If you think my seriousness is a cover for a deep longing for acceptance, you're stupider than I assumed. I am not longing for anything other than the glory I am due."

Paige stared at her. "I never can tell if you're being serious or just…covering for a deep longing–"

Drucinda stopped and spun to face her. "I have no such longing. I'm certain you do, but I do not."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"You just said it," Drucinda answered as she continued after her grandmother. "You long to be accepted because you're a friendless loser."

"I am not. I have lots of friends now. I just needed to find my people."

Drucinda rolled her eyes. "Whatever. Let's not talk."

Paige pressed her lips together as she wiped at her brow, walking silently next to Drucinda. "You're my friend."

"Shut up, please." Drucinda flicked her ponytail, her features taut.

"I'm just saying. Even if you don't need friends. I feel we're friends."

"Fine, whatever. We're friends, yes."

"You were friends with my mom. And then when she disappeared, maybe you got upset and stopped having friends because it was too hard to lose people."

Drucinda heaved a long sigh as she pushed past a large leaf. "Yes, that's it. You've got it. I'm a delicate flower who secretly longs for a gaggle of friends. And we could go purse shopping and shoe shopping and giggle over boys."

"That's not…I didn't say that. I get that you're not that kind of girl. Neither am I. But it's still nice to have a close group of people who you can rely on. People who will stand up for you no matter what."

Drucinda's shoulders slumped. "All right, Paige. Yes. Devon is my friend. You are my friend. Let's not gush about it, shall we?"

Paige offered her a warm smile as she stopped.

"What's the matter? Are you fading from the heat?"

"No, but…I thought we could hug it out."

"Touch me and I will be short one friend because you will be dead." Drucinda wagged a finger at her.

Paige held her hands up in the air. "Okay, no hugs. That's cool. "

"Are you two finished having your heart-to-heart?" Eyva asked.

"It wasn't a heart-to-heart," Drucinda answered.

"I think it's lovely that you've found a female friend, dear. Ironic, it happens to be the daughter of your best friend."

"Let's not dwell on it, shall we, Grandmother?"

"Fine, fine. We're nearly there." Eyva poked a finger toward the treetops. A blue-roofed tower poked above them.

They continued forward, emerging from the trees into a clearing where the tower sat.

Paige craned her neck to stare at the top of it. "Wow, that's high."

"Not as high as we were last night," Eyva answered. "The stairs won't be nearly as pleasant today."

"I hope I make it," Paige said with a wrinkled nose as Drucinda pulled the door open, revealing the hundreds of spiraling stone stairs leading to the top.

As they stepped inside, a chuffing noise echoed off the stone walls. Drucinda stiffened, her jaw clenching. "We may not have to worry about that."

"Why?" Paige asked.

"Because," Eyva answered, "there is a dragon lying in wait just beyond those doors across the way."

Paige swallowed hard as she flicked her gaze toward the partially open doors, spotting a set of glowing red eyes. Were they about to be eaten?