Page 28 of Hexed, Vexed, & Undersexed
"We have six contestants eager to get their wands waving and potions brewing; so, let's introduce them, shall we?"
Carter reads off our stage names and a brief snippet that the network has created for interesting backstories. It takes everything in me not to roll my eyes when I hear ‘Crystal Moon, the up-and-coming owner of a new age shop in a small town outside of Salem, alongside her familiar—the loveable Binx.
Ugh.
It’sDanvers—not Salem.
I'd love to show the network where I'd like to shove that new age shop and their continual reference toHocus Pocus, but I keep my expressionless mask in place.
Must play along to the end of their carefully rigged game.
Winner, winner, hex-broken dinner.
"Now, on to our first trial—Spell Caster's Cipher. Each witch will be tasked with casting a circle and invoking a specific spell. If they succeed, their circle will light up; but they have to be careful and follow each instruction to the letter,otherwise, who knows what chaos will ensue. One small mistake means starting over—but that's not all!"
Of course, not.
Why would it be?
They’re just words, but all six of us tense at the host’s announcement and look at him questioningly.
What could they possibly be adding to this already ridiculous challenge?
In a falsetto voice, Carter continues, "They only have ten minutes to do it."
Oh.
Apparently, they could add a time limit on it.
Curse me—oh, that’s right—I already am.
"Ready, witches? Get set. . . and go!"
Just like that, the six of us jump into action. Whipping around, I find the curtain open and a massive expanse of the stage exposed with six distinct areas. I don't waste time looking around, practically skidding to a stop in my space. Binx waits patiently off to the side next to the curtain leading to behind the scenes.
Thank goddess that he's a smart cat who’s willing to let me work as opposed to one that's intent to get into everything.
Flipping open the fake grimoire, I start reading the instructions. Surprisingly enough, the cleansing ritual and set up of the circle is accurate to actual witch practices; so, I quickly get to work.
I drop to my knees and open the basket to scan the ingredients. It’s a giant bundled mess. Instead of shifting through each time I need something, I pull things out as quickly and gently as possible. Lining up the glass containers and various objects, I group them together, knowing it will help me later on.
"Where are you sage?" I sing-song under my breath.
There, at the bottom of the basket, is the bundle of sage and a packet of matches. I grab it and begin. The cleansing goes smoothly, but as soon as I start to cast the circle, I realize that I had put the wrong candle at the wrong corners at the beginning of my invocation.
"Hex it all," I mutter angrily, knowing that I now have to start over. Glancing up at the big timer on the wall, I still have over eight minutes left. "Plenty of time," I breathe in relief.
"That is—if you don't botch it up again,Crystal," Bellamy sneers from his circle next to me.
"Leave her alone!" Bodie barks sharply from my other side.
It takes everything in my nearly non-existent power to not snap at him—I’m an independent witch whodon’t need no creepy man I’m being forced to flirt with.
"Thank you, Bodie," I coo, flashing him a tiny grin.
My cheeks flush when I do so, but it isn't from bashfulness or any kind of interest—it’s my irritation.
But whatever sells the bit, I guess.
