Lucy’s POV
It was exactly 05:30 hours, and Aunt Maggie and I were both kneeling at the edge of the bridge. Malena stood in front of us, casting her spells and chanting in a tongue I couldn’t begin to understand. Under any other circumstances, I might’ve been curious to learn what she was saying—but not today. Not when I was one wrong step away from becoming an alligator’s breakfast. Her words sounded like gibberish to my terrified ears, and I meant no disrespect to her craft—I was just petrified.
After a few intense minutes, Malena finally finished and informed us that we could begin the challenge. It was exactly 6:00 a.m. Our task was simple… on paper. We had to cross the rickety bridge to the other side of the swamp, perform a ritual bath, and then cross back—all before dusk.
The swam
