Page 45 of Too Hexed to Handle

‘He loves me,’ she says, distracted. I bite down irritation. This must be how Astin feels when I refuse to talk about budgets because I’ve got a couple to attend to. ‘You tell me he loves me, and yet he’s looking for the potion. But he wouldn’t risk – no, he’s not looking for the potion. He asked you to, didn’t he?’ Her head cocks to one side; a bird appraising a worm. ‘How many of you are there? He wouldn’t leave it to you.’

I try not to be too offended she’s deemed me incapable of winning. ‘Everyone at the party.’

‘All those people. He must be desperate.’ She drums her fingers on the table. Her nails are long, and –

My stomach twists. There’s a speck of red on one of them. Like she recently put those nails inside someone’s body.

‘You will need to unlock the temple, of course. That’s why you’re here. Searching, searching. What help did he give you?’

I’m hovering on my seat now, ready to leap. ‘Something about . . . a statue. In the park. I haven’t found it yet.’

‘It’s inside. You’ll all be inside. All of you at once, together, together, nice and easy . . .’ Her rambles trail off, and her gaze snaps to meet mine, focused once more. Her fingers inch towards my arm again.

Laughter sounds from outside the tent, followed by the thunder of footsteps. I launch to my feet, knocking my stool over and opening my mouth to scream for help. If Eira doesn’t want Damian to know she’s here, the last thing she needs is a group of witnesses to her attacking me.

She must realise it, because she tilts her head in the direction of the exit. ‘You’re right, of course. Damian has asked for your help, and you should give it to him. His happiness is of utmost importance.’

‘I – Okay.’

‘They grew the maze around what you seek.’ She smirks. ‘There. I told your fortune after all.’

I have no idea if she’s telling the truth, but I rush from the tent regardless, sweat beading across my brow. My palms are clammy. I seem to be having an adverse reaction to fortune telling.

Several couples emerge from the maze’s exit, hair windswept and clothes rumpled, barely making it more than a few yards before they’re wrapped in an embrace, mouths smashed against one another’s – honestly, kind of unattractively, but at least they’re having a good time. Not a single pair emerges with any ounce of dignity, like something inside the maze has stripped them of their inhibitions until only desire remains.

‘Excuse me.’ I grab the arm of a woman whose blonde hair is dusted with pink, and she stares at my outstretched hand hungrily. I catch the scent of strawberries. Next to her, her partner collapses like her legs are unable to support themselves. ‘Could you tell me – what’s in that maze, exactly?’

‘Come inside, and I’ll show you myself.’ She twirls a lock of hair around her finger, while her partner pouts, tugging on her skirt for attention.

I spy Astin in the distance, holding a paper-wrapped parcel which I presume contains food under his arm, striding towards me with thunder on his face, and I briefly wonder if allowing this lady to proposition me would cause the same kind of reaction as when I danced with Damian. ‘No, thank you. I just . . . you didn’t happen to see a statue, did you?’

I’d like some evidence Eira was sending me in the right direction.

‘I did. It was ugly.’ She beams, then points at the woman still lying at our feet. ‘And then I saw her.’

She slumps to the ground to join her partner, and I am forced to jump aside to allow them to roll dangerously close to Eira’s tent. I briefly debate offering them a warning, but I’m not convinced they’d listen, and Astin is upon me now, shoving the parcel into my hands and staring at the girls with mild horror. ‘Why are they doing that in public?’ he asks.

It’s an excellent question, and one I don’t want to think too much about. The girl claimed she saw a statue, and that’s our only lead to finding the first of the items we need.

‘Never mind them,’ I say. ‘I know where to find the statue. It involves doing something you won’t like.’

He cocks his head, looking resigned. ‘And what’s that?’

I point at the maze as another couple emerges. One of them is missing a shoe. ‘I’m afraid we’re going to have to go in there.’

15

A few minutes – and two iced buns – later, we’re standing in the queue for the Love Maze. I’m not sure either of us knows how we got here so quickly. Astin would probably claim he was dragged. I prefer the term persuaded, although I can’t believe he caved.

Astin mutters what I suspect are several colourful swear words under his breath while handing a pocketful of coins to the attendant, while I wince at the expense – between this and the costs of lodging at the Duck in the Dark, my debts are heavier than ever – but if it helps us find the cure, it’ll be worth it.

Or maybe it’ll be worth it anyway. Inside, both the ground and the hedges are dusted white and pink, like snow laced with crushed cherries. Miniature versions of the festival’s coloured lanterns are twined across the bushes, giving everything a magical glow. Music tinkles nearby.

My eyes grow as wide as my smile. It’s wonderful. Even dead ends are possibilities, because every time we take a wrong turn, we’re greeted by couples cosied up on benches, vases as tall as my midriff containing roses, or performers playing the harp and reciting love poetry. I’d be content to linger awhile, but Astin marches on, making vague threats about what he’ll do if this is a waste of time.

We keep rounding bends until we reach the heart of the maze. It’s less extravagant than I expected; nothing more than a patch of grass with a large willow tree in the centre, its drooping leaves coated with the same dusting of pink as that girl’s hair. More lanterns are strung along the hedges, candles flickering within, while blankets are scattered across the ground, most of which are occupied by couples – or in some cases, groups – in various throes of passion. Astin scratches his neck, while heat stings my cheeks.

I scan them, searching for a couple, throuple, or quadruple – is that a word? – who aren’t gyrating that I might be able to quiz. ‘You should ask them about the statue. Maybe we missed it in the maze somewhere.’