by Sarah Noffke
Sophia looked around until she found Plato standing next to her in the hallway. She knew they were alone if the lynx had appeared and was talking to her.
“From Subner?” she asked, confused why Father Time’s assistant would have a message for her.
“Yes, he wanted me to tell you to tell Wilder he needs to come and see him,” Plato related.
Sophia grimaced. “What? Why wouldn’t he just tell Wilder himself? He’s supposedly working for the Protector of Weapons now. This seems very inefficient.”
“Actually, Subner told Papa Creola, who told Liv, who told me who is telling you to go get Wilder,” Plato explained.
Scratching her head, she gave him a confused look. “Again, why couldn’t Subner just send a message to Wilder?”
“He’s busy,” Plato answered. “And so was Papa Creola and Liv, which was why I was sent on the errand.”
“Well, if Wilder is the one who needs to go to this meeting, why don’t you go and tell him yourself?” she questioned.
“Because firstly, I don’t talk to just anyone,” Plato answered. “And secondly, most people, even old magicians, are reluctant to talk to a lynx. We’re seen as untrustworthy.”
She gave him a curious look. “Oh, I wonder why.”
“I do, too,” he fired back at once. “We are devilishly helpful when we want to be.”
“Which is when?” Sophia asked.
“About as often as a blood supermoon,” Plato answered.
“That’s like the rarest of eclipses,” Sophia stated, having brushed up on things related to the moon since it impacted Lunis so much.
“Yes, so maybe not even that often.”
“Fine,” Sophia offered. “I’ll tell Wilder to go meet Subner, but in the future, he should ping his own people.”
“Well, he wants you to come too,” Plato purred.
“For what?” Sophia asked, wondering when she was going to find time to go on an adjudicator mission or train or do this new side mission to find the closets. Not to mention now she needed to find this desk with her father’s book. It was a lot, but she’d just have to give up sleeping because it was all-important.
“I wasn’t told the reason,” Plato began. “As someone who values privacy, I don’t dig into others’ business.”
“Yeah, but you know just by virtue of being you and knowing everything, right?” Sophia asked, her hand on her hip.
“Maybe,” he said, drawing out the word, a hint of mischief in his voice.
“Fine,” Sophia said with a sigh. She looked around the hallway to figure out which residence to try.
“Also, about this closet you’re looking for…”
She turned and scowled at the lynx. “I’m not even going to ask how you know about that.”
“Good, because I’m not even going to tell you,” Plato replied. “However, you might consider abandoning this mission for the moment.”
“Because I need to be a messenger service for Subner?” she asked.
“Because I’m not sure you’ll have much luck finding this closet,” Plato offered.
“Because there are a billion closets in this place, and I have no idea what I’m actually looking for?”
“Because we’re playing the ‘because’ game, it’s because the closet you’re looking for is here, but what you’re looking for can only be found at a different time in history,” Plato answered.
Sophia reeled back several inches. “Say what?”
“And you say I’m never helpful,” Plato said proudly. “The next bit of advice I give you won’t come until after the next blood supermoon.”
“Different time?” Sophia asked. “Like I need to find the closet in the past?”
Plato shrugged, lifting his paw and casually licking it.
She sighed. The lynx had been uncharacteristically helpful. He had a track record lately for giving her information, but it was usually confusing and altered to have some sort of agenda.
“I really don’t know how I’m going to visit the House of Fourteen in the past,” Sophia muttered, mostly to herself.
“I know, you’d need a time machine or access to someone who owns the balance of time or something…”
Sophia lowered her gaze and gave the lynx a proud smile. “Guess I’ll need to pay Papa Creola a visit when I deliver Wilder to Subner.”
“I guess…” Plato said, ambling back the way he’d come.
“Thanks, Plato. This might have actually been helpful.”
He nodded. “I hope it’s worth the steep price you’ll pay when I come to collect for all my helpful advice one day.”
“What?” Sophia asked, realizing the lynx could be proverbially charging her for the advice. The cost could be something as great as her soul.
Before she could argue, he winked and said, “See you soon.” With that, the lynx disappeared.
Chapter Fourteen
Sophia slipped out of the saddle on Lunis and tumbled through the sky, falling toward the ground fast.
Free falling was not in the least freeing. It was terrifying.
The wind blasted her in the face, tangling her hair and obscuring her view. She was mostly okay with that since the ground was getting closer, promising to be her end.
The sea of green around her was quickly approaching. Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted a clip of blue rushing toward her.
As if they had planned it, Lunis slipped under Sophia. Her hands found the saddle knob, and she slipped back into place as if she’d never tumbled free of her dragon. He picked up speed, racing away from the Earth, which had been close to being Sophia’s demise.
That was fun, he said in her head.
Fun, Sophia replied. You do own a dictionary, right?
I don’t have that app on my phone, so no, he joked.
That was terrifying, she related.
Well, then next time, don’t fall out of the saddle, he offered.
Then warn me before you go into a spiral, she ordered.
Where’s the fun in that? he asked.
And I’m steering, she argued. How come you can do that if I’m in charge?
Our relationship is a partnership, he answered. I’m not your vehicle. I do still have free choice, you realize.
Which I’m totally in favor of unless you throw me off with an unexpected turn, she said.
Well, this is all part of the training, Lunis offered.
I get it, Sophia said, feeling the exhaustion tunneling in her brain. She’d come to train with Lunis immediately after returning from her trip to the House of Fourteen. The lack of sleep could be responsible for her slow reflexes, she thought, wondering when she had slept last.
Speaking of slow reflexes, Lunis said, privy to her thoughts.
Yes? Sophia tensed, sensing she might get tossed off his back again.
Look up, he said.
She jerked her head up and caught sight of Evan on Coral. They were in a nosedive, plummeting in the direction of Sophia and Lunis. She whipped her sword out, holding on tight to the reins with her other hand.
This time when Lunis spiraled, she was ready. She pulled her weight down low to him and brought Inexorabilis around just as Evan nearly collided with her.
His loud cackle and the whites of his teeth were all Sophia processed as their swords clanged against one another. Their dragons rotated around one another as Sophia held her position, not allowing Evan to knock her off. He gave it all his effort, throwing his shoulder into her when he knocked her sword off his.
She didn’t let up even when Lunis pulled into a steep dive. Instead, she brought her blade around low, making Evan have to jump to a standing position if he hoped to avoid getting cut as the sword came all the way around.
He plopped back down on the saddle, landing so hard his crotch took the brunt of the impact. His brown eyes bulged, and he keeled over, holding onto Coral as she veered away.
“Sorry,” Sophia called after him. “You’re going to want to put some ice on that.”
Lunis pulled out of the dive, snickering with laughter. He was just doing what you told him to, Lunis stated.
I told him to help me with flight combat, not to come out of nowhere when I wasn’t expecting it and nearly lopping my head off, she complained.
Your enemies don’t ask for permission to charge in battle, Lunis argued. What Evan did was helpful.
Really? Sophia argued. When we were on the Expanse earlier, I asked him if he’d help me with training. He said he was too busy, and then he darts out of a cloud and nearly throws me off you again.
But he didn’t, Lunis countered. Good reaction and thinking about disarming him.
Thank you, Sophia said proudly. As they headed back toward the Expanse, Evan was already on the ground, limping away from Coral. His ego was bruised, along with other parts of him.
Chapter Fifteen
“It feels like we’re missing something in here,” Sophia said, sitting at the dining table, a pointed stare lodged in Hiker’s direction.
He took a sip of his water and pretended not to notice her.
“More ice,” Evan groaned. “That’s what we’re missing.” He bent over the table, lying his face on his plate.
“You’re a dragonrider,” Hiker warned. “Act like one.”
“I don’t even feel like a man after what happened,” Evan complained.
“You need more training and real-world experiences,” Hiker said just as Ainsley came through the kitchen door, holding a large platter.
She set it down in front of Hiker, a proud smile on her face.
He pointed to the mound of gray on the platter. “What’s that?”
“It’s haggis,” she said, her hands on her hips.
“No, it’s not,” he argued.
“Of course, it is,” Mama Jamba said, leaning forward and sniffing. “It’s just not the haggis you’re used to.”
Quiet muttered something besides Sophia.
“You can say that again,” Ainsley said with a laugh, waving at the gnome.
“He’ll have to for any of us to know what he said,” Wilder commented.
“Ainsley, what did you do to the haggis?” Hiker asked, not appearing at all in the mood for this.
“Does it really matter?” Ainsley asked. “It is not like you lot ate the haggis before.”
“I tried,” Wilder stated.
“You always do,” she said to him fondly.
“It looks weird, and I don’t think it’s safe to eat,” Evan groaned.
“It’s completely fine.” Ainsley pointed to the platter of haggis. “This one is even safer. It’s vegan.”
Quiet looked to be trying to shuffle out of his chair as he muttered something.
Ainsley clapped her hand on his shoulder and pushed him back down. “You don’t have to go and let the sheep out. They don’t get let out.”
He mumbled something.
The housekeeper rolled her eyes. “It’s not too cold for them. They are sheep. They are literally wearing wool. And you’re going to try my vegan haggis and love it.”
“Why?” Hiker growled. “Why are you making vegan fare?”
“Well, I just thought I’d try something new,” Ainsley sang. “You all throw your noses up at my food all the time, so what’s the difference?”
Mama Jamba scooped a large bit of haggis on her plate, giving it an uncertain expression. “It sure has an interesting texture.”
Evan flipped his head up from where it had been resting on the table. “I think it needs some bacon bits.”
“That defeats the whole vegan idea,” Ainsley argued, storming off for the kitchen.
“Would you bring out some sides?” Hiker called.
“Neeps and tatties,” Wilder stated.
“Amen, brother.” Evan pointed to the bread bowl on the other side of Mahkah. “Can I get some. I’m starving.”
“Why?” Hiker questioned. “You didn’t do anything today besides nearly get knocked off your dragon by a…” He glanced at Sophia, who had her own gaze narrowed at him.
“By a what?” she grilled. “By a girl?”
“I was going to say by an inexperienced rider who hasn’t completed her training,” he stated.
“Fair enough,” she said, eyeing the haggis, which seemed to be changing shape.
“Tomorrow, you will all need to get back to training,” Hiker stated.
“Shocking,” Evan said blandly. “We’re training again tomorrow, guys. Real change to the schedule.” He patted the table in front of Mahkah. “Training, bro. Get ready for something completely different.”
Mahkah managed a smile as he handed over the basket of bread. “I’ve got a mission, actually.”
Hiker nodded. “Yes, so Sophia, you’ll need to work with Evan and Quiet on dragon-training.”
“Actually,” Sophia said, drawing out the word.
This drew Hiker’s attention, making him lower his chin. “Actually, what?”
“Well, I’ve got an errand I need to run outside the Gullington,” she explained.
“Doing what?” he asked, his voice tense.
“I’m not certain, but Father Time is involved and requested I stop by his shop,” she said.
“Lovely man,” Mama Jamba stated. “If he needs you, you have to pay him a visit.”
Hiker gave Mother Nature an annoyed expression. “But her training.”
Mama Jamba was having a chore of chewing the vegan haggis. After quite a bit of effort, she swallowed, washing it down with a gulp of water. “Quiet, about Sophia’s training. Are we ready yet for her to go full steam ahead?”
The gnome mumbled for a long bit, buttering his roll with a huge pat of butter, shaking his head as he did. When he was finally done, Sophia looked around the table, wondering if anyone understood a word he’d said.
“Well, there you have it,” Mama Jamba said, pushing away from the table.
“Have what?” Hiker asked. “What did he say?”
She shook her head. “Clean out your ears, dear. Quiet said we aren’t ready for Sophia to complete training, so there’s no point in her pushing to get it done just yet.”
“And why aren’t we ready for her to complete training?” Hiker questioned. “What are we waiting for?”
Mama Jamba gave Quiet an uncertain expression. “That’s a secret.”
“Damn it, woman,” Hiker said, standing at once and throwing his napkin on his plate. “How can you have secrets from me about my own riders?”
She simply smiled good-naturedly. “It’s a surprise, my love. No spoilers.”
Hiker shook his head at her as Ainsley came through the door carrying the tray of sides. He took his seat once more, interested in what she’d brought.
“Oh, Ainsley, the haggis was really well seasoned,” Mama Jamba said, striding away from the table.
“Then why didn’t you eat it?” Ainsley asked, looking down at the unfinished meal.
“Because I don’t think there’s enough time left on my Earth to chew that,” Mama Jamba said with a laugh.
“Well, I have the sides,” Ainsley said, uncovering the potatoes. “Don’t you want some of this?”
Mama Jamba shook her head. “Oh, no. I have a bag of butterscotch candies and a box of chocolate upstairs and a Nicholas Sparks novel. I’m going to turn in and indulge. I’ve been looking for an excuse to eat candy for dinner.”
“You’re literally the queen of this world and can do whatever you like,” Evan said. “Do you really need a reason to eat candy for dinner? You could be eating ice cream for breakfast or whatever else you like.”
She shook her head at him. “Oh, you think just because I created everything on this Earth calories don’t count?” She clicked her tongue. “Dear, you have a lot to learn. Just because we have the power to create, doesn’t mean we can change the rules. I have you all as my children, and I can’t make you all do a thing. Free will and rules always apply.”
Evan shrugged. “Yeah, I guess. When I have children
, I’m going to make them do whatever I say.”
“If you don’t ice your injury, you’re not having children,” Mama Jamba said, indicating Evan’s crotch.
He groaned again, lying his head back on his plate.
After Mama Jamba had left, Hiker turned his attention to Wilder. “Well, tomorrow, I want you to train with Evan. I’ll have adjudication missions soon and want you both ready.”
Before Wilder could answer, Sophia cut in. “Actually, about Wilder…”
Hiker lowered his chin again, giving her an annoyed expression. “What?”
“Well, my appointment at Father Time’s shop involves him,” she said in a rush. “Subner, who Wilder now works for, requested his presence.”
“Thanks for letting me know,” Wilder said with a laugh.
“Hey, Wild, Subner wants to see you,” she stated dryly.
“Cool,” he chirped. “I’ll just need to clear it with my boss.” Wilder looked expectantly at Hiker.
The leader of the Dragon Elite stood from the table, not having eaten anything. “What does it matter if I give my permission? The groundskeeper is dictating Sophia’s training schedule. Mama Jamba is keeping secrets. And Father Time is now stealing my riders.”
“You still have me, sir,” Evan said, batting his eyelashes at Hiker.
He shook his head. “Great. The Dragon Elite is totally doomed.”
Chapter Sixteen
“You don’t know what this is about?” Wilder asked Sophia after they stepped through the portal to Roya Lane.
The magical street was decked out for Christmas with garlands covered in ornaments hung along the rooftops. At first, Sophia thought it was lights twinkling along the perimeters of the buildings, but as they drew closer, she realized it was tiny fairies.
“I don’t know what this about,” Sophia began, navigating around a bunch of drunk gnomes who smelled like hot cider. “I don’t know why I’m supposed to accompany you or why Plato has turned into a messenger service.”
Wilder paused at a food cart run by a fae selling caramel covered apples. Sophia grabbed him by the shirt and hauled him forward.
“Don’t you know not to eat anything made by a fae?” she warned in a whisper.
