Determine the Future (The Exceptional S. Beaufont Book 10)

by Sarah Noffke

  Around the tent was the biggest pumpkin patch that Sophia had ever seen. It went on for as far as she could see, dotting the grounds with small and large pumpkins. Flying around the top of the tent were magical colonies of bats that made the cutest little screeching noises.

  Inside the big top was a large cauldron and surrounding that was a massive spread of food. At each corner were different decorations, like mummies that moved, an organ played by Frankenstein’s monster, and a werewolf devouring something.

  Sophia didn’t say anything for a moment, then spun to face the group. “Quiet?”

  Hiker nodded. “We think so. He must have gotten the hint that you were going to put on the party at Lunis’ request.”

  “It’s the most amazing thing!” Sophia exclaimed and whipped back around.

  Speaking of Lunis, she was shocked to find the blue dragon had silently arrived outside the Castle with many of the angel dragonettes beside him. All of them wore a matching costume. It didn’t include much—only a single mustache under their nostrils.

  Sophia and the group roared with laughter at the sight.

  “I must-ache you a question, Soph,” Lunis began. “When did you find the time to do this?” He nodded at the big top.

  She shook her head. “I didn’t. Could you have found the time to put a little more into your costume?”

  He nodded. “Yes, but then these rug rats wanted one, and it was either make mustaches for a dozen or make the lion costume to match yours. I went with the prior.”

  “Well, it looks like we have a party to attend.” Hiker stepped around Sophia and held up an arm for Ainsley. “Shall we?”

  The elf nodded. “Yes, I could use some carbs after all that shapeshifting.”

  Hiker glanced down at her with unmistakable adoration in his eyes. “You were incredible. We couldn’t have done it without you.”

  The elf blushed. “Now my people have their homeland back. Thank you.”

  She turned and looked fondly at the group of riders. “Thank you to all of you. The elves are forever in your debt.”

  “Good, because I have a few requests,” Evan joked.

  Hiker rolled his eyes. “You all were incredible. Excellent teamwork. I couldn’t be prouder of the team I get to lead.” His gaze settled on Sophia. “I’ve had the honor of leading riders for a long time, but never ones like you all who would sacrifice yourselves in the way you did.”

  “It was nothing, sir,” Evan teased.

  “He was referring to Sophia’s act of bravery,” Wilder shot back.

  “She was there?” Evan looked quite serious. He shrugged. “I didn’t see you there, Pink Princess.”

  Sophia laughed.

  “Well, if you all are done patting yourselves on the back for doing your job, then I’m going to dig into the food.” Mama Jamba strode past the group and headed for the Halloween tent. “I think I smell raspberry pancakes.”

  “Yes, let’s refill your reserves,” Hiker said to Ainsley and led her toward the tent as music started to play.

  Evan strode forward and hooked his arm around Mahkah’s and Wilder’s necks. “Come on, pals. Let’s go dunk for apples.”

  Sophia stayed in place for a moment as she looked between the dragons and the tent while feeling an overwhelming sense of gratitude. For her home. For her friends. For another successful mission.

  “Are you coming?” Lunis indicated the tent.

  She nodded. “Go ahead. I’ll be right there. I need a moment.”

  “Okay, well swing by soon,” he joked and winked at her in her trapeze costume.

  Sophia laughed and watched as Lunis started for the tent, the dragonettes skipping along beside him.

  Sophia knew that Versalee wasn’t going away. They’d have to deal with her, and it wouldn’t be pleasant. It would most likely involve violence and danger and a host of other things that would challenge Sophia and the Dragon Elite. But they would be victorious against the leader of the Rogue Riders because they worked together. They had everything that the Rogue Riders didn’t. Most importantly, they weren’t going to quit until the world was a safer place.

  Sophia could admit that the idea of a group governing the criminal world wasn’t such a bad thing. However, it had to be done right. It was obvious that Versalee wasn’t doing it even remotely the right way.

  Soon, the Dragon Elite expected to hear signs of the Rogue Riders and what they were up to. They’d deal with them. But for now…well, for now there would be a celebration because that’s why they did what they did—so they could enjoy the treasures in the world.

  When Sophia was about to start for the tent with the festivities, she heard a “peep” at her back. She turned to find Trin standing in the doorway—wearing a dress. Sophia had never seen her in one. It was an elegant long gown, like something Ainsley would wear. Unlike the cyborg’s usual uniform of a full catsuit, it was all white with so much detail. It had lace around the collar and sleeves and was tight in all the right places while also probably covering up the parts of Trin that made her insecure—like her metal legs. It was expertly ripped in places, making it look exactly like the dress it was supposed to portray.

  “You look amazing, Trin.”

  “Well, I heard you’re supposed to dress up for Halloween. So I thought I’d go as Corpse Bride.”

  “You make a beautiful corpse bride.” Sophia meant it.

  Trin blushed. “Thank you.” She held out a small metal object. “I found the dress and this on the fifth floor.”

  Sophia took the last piece of the key and smiled. “Quiet. That amazing and wonderful gnome.”

  “Yes, I guess he wanted me to wear this tonight.”

  “I think Quiet had a lot that he wanted to happen tonight.” Sophia looked fondly at the tent where laughter already echoed. The dragons basked in the moonlight and hid around the pumpkin patch. The guys took turns dunking their heads in a bin of water filled with apples.

  Sophia held up the key. “Thanks for looking for these and finding them.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  “Now it’s my turn to return the favor.” Sophia held out her arm and offered it to the cyborg.

  “How are you going to get Evan to….well, you know?”

  Sophia grinned at her friend. “I have a suspicion that I won’t have to. Sometimes when someone with such creative talents sets the stage, everything comes together. Something tells me this is a magical night, where all the right things are going to happen.”

  Trin swallowed and nodded. Then she took Sophia’s arm, and they walked for the tent. Once inside, it was even more amazing than from a distance. Hiker and Ainsley danced on the floor, moving elegantly with each other. Mama Jamba had pulled Mahkah away from the apple dunking and stated that she was going to teach him the Charleston.

  When Sophia entered the tent with Trin, Evan’s mouth popped open. Water dripped off his face from his last dunking attempt. He wiped it off with a towel Wilder offered, but never took his eyes off Trin.

  “You’re welcome,” Wilder joked.

  “Whatever.” Evan stuffed the wet towel back into Wilder’s hands. He strode forward and paused only when he was in front of Trin, who almost vibrated with nerves. “You look beautiful.”

  She lowered her chin and blushed again. “Thank you.”

  “How did you know that my new favorite Halloween movie is Corpse Bride?” Evan asked.

  Trin shrugged with surprise. “I didn’t.”

  Sophia smiled, realizing that Trin didn’t know that, but someone else did. Someone who had orchestrated all this. Maybe Quiet didn’t loathe Evan after all. Or he liked Trin and wanted her to be happy.

  Evan held out a hand. “Would you like to dance?”

  Trin’s eyes widened with surprise. “I don’t know if I can. I don’t know how.”

  Evan grinned. “I have enough moves for both of us. Follow my lead.”

  Trin nodded, took his hand, and allowed him to lead her to the dance floor. She loo
ked over her shoulder and mouthed the words “thank you” to Sophia. Ironically, Sophia hadn’t done any of this. She could only give credit to the groundskeeper, she thought, while looking at the last piece of the key in her hands.

  “It seems we’re the only two not on the dance floor,” Wilder said at her side.

  She nodded. “We should fix that, but I want to take a mental snapshot of this right now so that I always remember this moment.”

  He put his arm around her and hugged her tightly. “You know, when you came to the Gullington, you brought magic to my life, but you did more than that. You brought magic to all of our lives.”

  “Quiet did all this,” Sophia argued.

  He shook his head. “Quiet has always been here, but all this hasn’t been.” He swept his arm wide. “You are what changed everything. You changed Quiet. You brought Mama Jamba here. You changed Ainsley and Hiker. Now I see that you’re changing Evan, making him realize that he has a heart. You gave Trin a second chance when many would have given up on their enemy.” He took her hand and pressed it to his heart. “And you most definitely changed me. I’ll never be the same, nor would I want to be. I couldn’t imagine my life without you, Soph.”

  She smiled. Her heart felt so full and right at that moment. “Well, you all changed me too. Made everything better.”

  She leaned her head on his shoulder, and he kissed it before whisking her away to the dance floor where they would spend the night, laughing and twirling and loving their lives.

  It was their reward for loving the world so well, and they deserved it more than most.

  Chapter One Hundred Thirty-Four

  Sophia and Lunis were the last left at the party. She didn’t want it to end. Wilder had been asked to help Mahkah carry Mama Jamba up to the Castle. She’d danced so much that her bunions had flared up.

  Hiker and Ainsley were the first to leave, quickly followed by Evan and Trin.

  Sophia giggled at Lunis, who was hamming it up with his mustache.

  “Well, I would like to stay,” Lunis began. “But I must-ache.”

  Sophia nodded. “Okay, it’s getting late. Will you walk me to the Castle?”

  “Of course,” Lunis said as he ducked out of the tent and strode for the Castle in the distance. They were almost to the stairs when Sophia made out a small figure.

  Sophia rushed forward. “Quiet! Hey, there you are.”

  The gnome stood very stoically by the stairs.

  “Thank you for everything,” Sophia began. “Thank you for the party and for helping Trin and for, well, everything.”

  He simply nodded.

  Sophia had gone up to the Castle halfway through the party to get a jacket, the trapeze costume not at all warm. When she did, she recovered the other pieces of the key, and together, she and Lunis put it together. It resembled an old-timey skeleton key. She withdrew it from her pocket then and held it up.

  “I think we’ve done what you asked. Here are the five objects you told me to find, and they make a key.”

  He nodded again and held out his hand to the distant hills beside where the Cave and Nest were. The hills were pitch black, but a light suddenly illuminated on the side closest to the Pond.

  Sophia looked between the light and Quiet. “Is that…”

  “My bachelor pad?” Lunis asked.

  Again the gnome nodded.

  “It’s for me?” Lunis asked. “No Sallys or Beckys or Chucks?”

  As if it was the only way he could answer, Quiet nodded once more.

  “Wow, thank you.” Sophia felt overwhelmed with gratitude. “You’re amazing. Thank you. The only thing that would have made the party better tonight is if you were there.”

  Humbly, Quiet lowered his chin and blushed slightly in the soft light spilling from the Castle’s windows.

  With nothing else left to say, Sophia turned to Lunis. “Well, do you want to go and see it?”

  He extended a wing for her, inviting her to go with him, which she hadn’t expected. The riders weren’t allowed in the Cave.

  Before he could change his mind, Sophia climbed onto her dragon’s back and looked thoughtfully down at Quiet. “Thank you again. You make everything special.”

  The groundskeeper didn’t respond so Lunis turned for his new residence and took flight.

  As they rose into the air, Sophia could have sworn she heard the gnome say, “You are the one who makes everything worth it.”

  Chapter One Hundred Thirty-Five

  “Okay, I’m moving in here,” Sophia said when they stepped into Lunis’ new home.

  “The hell you are,” he retorted while looking around in awe.

  Although the place was in a cave, it didn’t at all feel like one. This place was designed with Lunis in mind. Unlike the Cave and Nest, it didn’t have that rustic, cold feel. Instead, there was the potential for natural lighting with holes where sun rays could stream through. Now that it was dark and the moon was behind clouds, the lighting options were plentiful.

  A large chandelier hung in the center of the huge open room. The wood floors were warm and inviting and in the center was a massive pillow that was perfect for lounging. In the back was a large hot tub and all around the space were art deco-inspired paintings that fit Lunis’ taste.

  The entire pad was outfitted with electronics. On the far wall were a screen and projector. The library of movies seemed limitless. The best part, according to Lunis, was the snack cabinet that took up an entire wall. There was everything in there from gummy bears to Doritos to peanut butter crackers.

  “So, do you love it?” Sophia looked around at all the attention to detail. It was perfect.

  “I do.” He threw himself down on the large pillow and let out a delighted sigh. “Think of all the hours of relaxation I’ll get here, not being annoyed by the dragonettes.”

  Sophia smiled. “I’m glad. You deserve it. You were wonderful with them tonight, but I know you can only do that so much. It’s good to have a place that’s yours.”

  Lunis nodded, rolled over on his back, and looked up at the tall ceiling. Quiet had checked off every single thing that Lunis wanted and made this place his dream home.

  “Well, I better get back to the Castle and leave you to enjoy your video games and munchies.” Sophia headed for the exit.

  Lunis rolled back over on his stomach. His head on his clawed feet and the mustache made him look silly. “Before you go…”

  Sophia paused by the opening. “Yeah?”

  “What should I call this place?”

  Sophia thought for a moment. “Well, we have the Cave and the Nest. Maybe the Pad.”

  Lunis nodded. “I like the ring of that. And it’s my pad. Allllll mine.”

  She laughed as she cinched her jacket tighter around her and prepared for the cold night air. “All yours.”

  She turned for the opening again. “Good night, Lun. Until tomorrow when adventures abound, and our enemies rear their ugly heads.”

  “Until then, Soph.” He sounded like he was in heaven as he basked in his new digs. “Good night.”

  Sophia was about to leave when Lunis said at her back, “Oh, and one more thing.”

  Again she paused. “Yes, what is it?”

  Lunis lifted his head off his feet and grinned at her, a gesture that seemed so funny with him wearing the mustache. “Thank you for this. For everything. I know you were going to try and give me the party I asked for, but thankfully you didn’t have to because I know how much you’ve been working. Still, you always think of me. Of Hiker. Of Ainsley. Of Wilder. Of Evan and Trin. Of everyone.”

  Sophia scrunched up her shoulders, feeling so grateful for all that she had. For all the people she could think of. “Well, you all are amazing, and your happiness makes me happy.”

  “What Quiet said when we rode off was true,” Lunis stated.

  So Sophia hadn’t heard things. “Thank you.”

  “Okay, lock the door when you leave.” Lunis winked. “I can’t have the r
ug rats in here.”

  “You got it,” Sophia said with a giggle since there was no door, but there was most likely magic that prevented anyone but Lunis and those he wanted in there from entering.

  “See you tomorrow, Lun. Have a good night.” Sophia stepped out of the Pad, into the night where it was quiet, and the world was asleep.

  “Sleep well, world,” Sophia said in a whisper. “Sweet dreams. Until tomorrow when the new day brings new adventures. Ones that the Dragon Elite will be ready for.”

  The Story Continues with Reconciliation of Hate

  Pre-order today and have it delivered to your Kindle Reader at Midnight on January 1, 2021

  Sarah’s Author Notes

  November 4, 2020

  Thank you to everyone out there who has supported the books and LBMPN. We can’t do this alone. I really value all you readers, your input, your ideas, your encouragement and more! Thank you.

  Speaking of awesome supporters, extra kudos to reader Paul for supplying me ideas for this series and more. Some of you might read my stuff separate from LMBPN. Before Mike invited me to play in his sandbox (and I refused to get out), I crafted five series in a universe known as the Dream Travelers. If this sounds like a shameless plug, it is not. But I’m not going to stop you if you want to go check out those books on Amazon, under my name. Or find my reading list on my website 12

  Seriously though, I love to add little Easter eggs throughout my books and many of you all spot them, like a couple of books ago when Sophia time traveled and found herself on the battlecruiser known as Ricky Bobby with Pip, Hatch, Bailey and Lewis from the Precious Galaxy series.

  Anyway, from my individual Dream Travelers books, I have a much loved character named Ren Lewis (Yes, Lewis was inspired by him. More Easter eggs). After reading this book, you’ve now met Ren if you hadn’t before. That’s because of an idea from Paul, who became the Great Librarian in the Sophia series. He asked if there could be a scene where he and Ren had a conversation.