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She returned to collect the others, finding Dewey tugging a sparkling purple book from the floating circular shelving unit containing magical tomes. He plopped it on top of a teal-colored volume before flitting over to Paige.
“Got my cure in there?”
“You bet,” he answered with a wink. “Let’s head up. Oh, by the way, did you want to catch a few Zs before you do anything? It’s been a rough night.”
“I may doze off, but I couldn’t sleep now if I tried. Between the madness with Dickens and now the purple-level threat, I’m wired.”
“There are Energy Dragons in the fridge. Feel free to help yourself.”
Paige wrinkled her nose as she climbed the last few stairs to the nest. “You and those disgusting drinks.”
“They’re not disgusting. They’re–“
Paige’s eyes rolled back in her head, and she pitched forward. The books spilled from her arms, smacking into the thick carpet of his living room as she nose-dived toward the floor.
CHAPTER 9
“Paige?” a distant voice called.
Paige’s eyelids fluttered open, and she glanced around the unfamiliar space. The icy wind gusted past her as her eyes adjusted to the darkness that surrounded her.
“Hello?” she called.
“Paige,” the voice called again.
She lifted her eyes to the ceiling while she searched for the voice.
She climbed to her feet, her breathing turning ragged as she continued to search for anything familiar. “Hello?”
Something moved to her left.
She snapped her head in that direction. “Hello? Dewey?”
A rustling noise sounded, and a glint of light appeared.
“Dewey?” Paige called out again as she wandered to the light.
Her breath caught in her throat while she approached a large, frosted window. She lifted the thick, velvet curtain from the leaded panes and glanced at the full moon in front of her.
“Where am I?” she questioned.
She let her gaze slip down, searching for the ground below and any identifying features. She found nothing. The black bricks making up the building disappeared in a cloudy mist that obscured any details.
Paige trembled as she backed away from the window.
“Hello? Help!” Panic laced her voice, and sweat beaded on her brow.
She spun in circles, searching for an exit. Across the room, lit by the moonlight streaming through the open curtain, a massive, ornately carved wooden door barred her exit. She hurried toward it, grasped the centrally located knob, and spun it.
She tugged against the large door as she swiveled its knob, but it did not budge.
With tears streaming down her cheeks, she pounded against the door. “Help! Help, I’m trapped. Someone help me!”
“Paige…” the voice said again.
She choked on a sob and spun to scan the room, pressing her back against the door. The large lion’s face carving poked into her back. She swallowed hard as movement came from near the window.
Paige adjusted her glasses, her lips pulled into a tight grimace. “Who are you? Why am I here?”
