Page 49 of Hooked on a Demon (Leeside Witches #3)

Eliana

T he first number finishes, and Eliana helps usher the next group on while Lola introduces them.

The other performers continue to get ready, some putting finishing touches on makeup or hair—they really should take out stock in glitter—or doing a final run-through of their set, ensuring they have it all down pat.

These kinds of nights are always a kind of organized chaos, but the looks on the children’s faces as they come off the stage are worth it all.

All the late night planning, choreographing, scheduling, and so on.

She’d do it all again to see the look of pride on their precious little faces.

After the next group goes on, Eliana takes her place to go on next, doing some last-minute stretches in the wings.

No one but June knows what she has been planning, but she has been working after hours for the last week, preparing for this.

She may not get to dance on the big Hollybrook stages anymore, but after her parents said they were sad that they never got to see her dance, she knew what she needed to do.

A few, too short, minutes later, Zoe’s group of preschoolers come off chattering away excitedly. She gives them all congratulatory high fives as they pass, and then it is time.

“Alright, friends and family. We hope you have enjoyed the show so far.” The audience claps enthusiastically.

“But we now have a bit of an interlude. One of our instructors wanted to do something special for her family, who are here today, and so it is my pleasure to introduce our own little star, Eliana Oaks.” June nods to her and then walks to the other side of the stage.

Eliana sucks in a breath and walks onto the stage, the toes of her pointed shoes softly tapping on the wood.

The spotlight follows her across, and as she finds her starting position, she looks out to the audience, spotting her family, best friend, and the demon that has helped make all of this possible.

Her chest fills with air as the music starts, giving her life and connecting her to a world she has loved for so long.

A world she was so scared to leave. But as she looks out, seeing the sheer joy on her mother’s face, she knows that while that injury a year ago may have ended her career in Hollybrook, it’s brought her back home.

Which was exactly where she needed to be.

Up on her toes, Eliana feels free. Emoting everything she hasn’t been able to express for months. The pain. The joy. The fear. All of it.

Her arms extend out and contract back in as she spins, and each time her eyes land on Declan. Her center. The force that keeps her steady. That holds her up. The demon she never saw coming and the one she now can’t live without.

She leaps across the stage, and the audience lets out a collective gasp as she soars, giving her the breath she needs. With a final flourish, she finishes. Gasping, Eliana leaves behind a past version of herself on stage in preparation for who she is becoming.

The crowd erupts into roaring applause. Declan’s face glows with admiration, her parents look at her like she is their shining star, and Everest and Kaia hoot wildly, yelling, “That’s my sister,” and “That’s my best friend.”

Eliana bows and then kisses her hands, extending them out in thanks. She mouths I love you , hoping that both her family and Declan know it’s for them. That all of this is for them.

Jogging off stage, June wraps Eliana in her arms before Eliana comes to a complete stop.

“You were wonderful.” June releases her and holds her at arm’s length.

When Eliana looks at her, June’s eyes are watery, and the tip of her nose is red.

“What you did up there… it was magical, Eliana. There’s not a dry eye in the house. ”

Heat rises up Eliana’s neck as she pulls away, waving her hand dismissively, not wanting to take the compliment. As she makes to step away, June’s hands land on her shoulders and turn her, forcing her to look back at the crowd from the side of the stage. “Look,” June says.

Eliana’s eyes scan the audience and June’s right.

Many of the attendees are wiping under their eyes or dabbing at the corners with tissues or their shirtsleeves.

She finds Declan in the audience and catches him sniffle as her mom hands him a tissue.

Everest must say something to tease him as Declan’s shoulders shake in a brief chuckle.

“I-I don’t know what to say,” Eliana says, her voice thick with emotion.

“You don’t need to say anything. We were all honored to have witnessed what you shared with us. You’ll be an inspiration to so many of our students.”

“Thank you,” Eliana says, dabbing away at her own tears threatening to spill over.

June wraps her in another hug. “I don’t know everything that brought you back to Leeside, but I am grateful you found your way home. And if my intuition is right, there is a certain someone out there who feels the same way.”

Eliana sucks in a breath, surprised that June knows about them.

“You haven’t hidden it quite as well as you thought, dear. And that’s okay. It’s okay for you to be happy. If anyone disagrees, that’s on them, not you.”

Eliana squeezes her back, relishing the love this woman has given her and how she welcomed Eliana back into the studio with open arms. “Thank you, June. For everything.”

“Anytime, dear.”

Zoe comes hustling over with the next group of students, ending Eliana and June’s conversation. Eliana looks back at the crowd one last time and lets the emotion flow over her, knowing she’s right where she needs to be.

The rest of the showcase flows relatively smoothly. The audience absolutely loves Eliana’s group’s retelling of Petra and Lachlan’s story. In fact, Lachlan could be heard laughing the loudest out of everyone.

As everyone enters the stage again for a final bow, the audience roars with applause and joy. Exactly what she wanted to have come out of tonight. This was intended to showcase the student’s growth, while also serving as an opportunity for the community to gather and share in the love of dance.

Her eyes scan the crowd a final time as the curtain comes down. She finds Declan beaming with as much pride as her parents—June was so right—as well as a blond-haired woman who looks familiar, and next to her… Eliana’s breath catches in her throat, as if it’s been frozen in place.

Sam.