by Sarah Noffke
Tell her I said to brush her hair, Lunis joked.
Liv loves it when people tell her that, Sophia said.
And by love, you mean, she loathes it.
Exactly, Sophia said, grabbing the handle and pushing the door open. She was looking forward to what she got to do next.
Chapter Seventy-Two
Sophia loved the House of Fourteen. The Castle was her home—hopefully, her forever home if it was up to her. Yet there was something about Liv’s apartment that held an inexplicable comfort for her.
Just entering the once tiny studio apartment filled Sophia’s heart with nostalgia. Liv and Clark had renovated the space to be quite expansive with multiple bedrooms, a large balcony, and multiple places for entertaining, which Liv said she didn’t like to do. Sophia knew better. There was nothing her sister liked better than to have her friends all around her and the opportunity to make them smile.
The smell of vanilla and lavender hit Sophia’s nose, instantly reminding her of her sister.
“Soph, is that you?” Liv called from the living room. “Get in here and tell Clark he needs a new hairstyle.”
Sophia giggled as she came around the corner to find her siblings cuddled up next to one another on the sofa.
“Don’t you think he’d look good with a mohawk?” Liv asked tousling Clark’s short blond hair.
He yanked back, grimacing at her. “No, I’ve already told you I’m not changing styles.”
“You’ve been wearing that same hairstyle since you were born,” Liv argued. “I think you’re overdue for a change.”
“I’m not a person who does change,” he said, trying to fix his hair as he looked at his reflection in the glass of a picture on the wall beside him.
“That reminds me,” Sophia began. “Lunis says ‘hi’ and that you should brush your hair, Liv.”
She smirked. “Tell Burn-a-dette he needs to mind his own business and get his own jokes. That’s Bermuda Lauren’s line.”
“Actually, I think Lunis is working on new material right now.” Sophia shook her head. “I’m afraid it’s probably going to get a bunch of tomatoes thrown at him.”
Liv patted the sofa beside her. “Come sit. Tell me why you’re here, not that I’m complaining. I thought we were doing Christmas festivities tomorrow. I don’t have your gift yet.”
“That’s okay.” Sophia took the spot next to Liv, cuddling close.
“No, it’s not,” Liv argued. “I mean, how hard is it to fix up a 3D printer that can create another 3D printer?”
“You just told her what her gift is,” Clark admonished.
“No, I didn’t,” Liv stated. “I told her I needed a 3D printer that could create a 3D printer, which is how Alicia is going to get me her gift.”
“Which is?” Clark demanded.
“A 3D printer,” Liv admitted. “It’s all very complicated, but there you go, Soph. You did ask for one. It’s just, making one from scratch would take time, so I suggested Alicia to tweak her fancy-dancy 3D printer so it can make us another one. It’s working on it, but it is no Santa’s elf. You might not have it until Valentine’s Day.”
Sophia smiled. “I’m good with that. It’s the thought that counts.”
“Well, speaking of thoughts,” Liv began, “I was thinking that for Christmas—”
“I actually can’t come tomorrow,” Sophia interrupted, suddenly feeling small.
“You can’t?” Liv and Clark asked in unison.
“No,” Sophia admitted. “Hiker, after much berating, has agreed to let us have Christmas at the Castle. It’s the first time ever.” She sighed fondly. “You should see the decorations. I’ve never seen anything so beautiful.”
“I’d love to see the decorations,” Liv grumbled. “But you live at a place that is called the Elite and doesn’t allow outsiders into it.”
Sophia laughed. “I know. I’d take pictures, but every time I do, the Castle deletes them from my phone. According to Ainsley, it’s not photogenic.”
“You won’t be here for Christmas,” Liv said, disappointment evident in her tone.
“No, but I’m here now.” Sophia extended the package she was holding. “And if the thought is what counts, all the credit goes to Clark. This was his idea.”
Her brother bolted forward, his eyes wide. “You didn’t, Soph?”
She nodded proudly, trying to hold in her excitement. “I did.”
“Didn’t what?” Liv asked, looking at her sister and brother.
“Open it,” Sophia encouraged, pushing the package into her hands. “The thought was Clark’s.”
“What you had to go through to get it…” He shook his head in astonishment.
“I’ll admit it was an ordeal, but I survived, and I’d say there are some souls who are better off for the field trip,” Sophia stated.
Liv took the package and gave her sister a tentative expression. “What is this?”
“There’s only one way to find out,” Clark said, his voice vibrating with excitement.
“Okay,” Liv said, drawing out the word. Carefully, she peeled back the paper, not tearing it as she revealed the book inside.
Her hands began to shake as she turned over their father’s book. “My God! Soph… Clarky… You all…”
Tears filled Liv’s eyes as she opened the cover and read the first line on the first page:
Familia Est Sempiternum.
With a great fondness and wet cheeks, Liv ran her fingers over the words. “I can’t believe you found Daddy’s book.” She looked up, shaking her head in amazement. “What did you have to go through to get this?”
Sophia shrugged. “No worse than what I’ve done to recover other books.”
Liv began to flip through the pages, the tears falling faster now. “His words make it feel like he’s here. This is by far the best present you two could have ever given me.”
Clark leaned over her shoulder and snuggled close to her as he read the pages with her. “He was the wisest man I’ve ever known.”
“I didn’t know him,” Sophia admitted. “Not like you two, but after reading this book, I have to agree. There is magic in those words.”
Liv smiled at her sister. “That’s because his words were full of love, and that is the greatest magic in the world. Never forget that, Soph.”
“I won’t,” Sophia said, wanting to freeze this moment in time forever. The Beaufonts had been through so much. Lost so much. But they loved with such abandonment, refusing to let their traumas harden them; it was like they’d been spelled. Maybe in another life, when magicians were being created, someone did spell them always to be happy, no matter what.
And so, the Beaufonts were created to protect justice and love each other for all of time.
Liv wrapped one arm around her brother and the other around Sophia and pulled them close. “I love you both with all my heart.”
Liv’s affection was contagious, and Sophia found her own cheeks wet with happy tears. “I love you both, no matter what, forever.”
“Familia Est Sempiternum,” Clark said, hugging his sisters with a fierceness that promised never to let them go and always protect them.
That was what the Beaufont children did for each other. The three siblings would never turn on one another, no matter what.
Sophia wanted that for all families, but she knew that wasn’t how the world worked. Without a doubt, she’d die for her siblings. Unfortunately, some would do anything to kill their sisters and brothers because the world was made of good, and with that came the inevitable evil.
Chapter Seventy-Three
The Christmas cracker wasn’t a tradition Sophia was familiar with. Apparently, the guys at the Castle weren’t either since Hiker hadn’t allowed such festivities for the Dragon Elite.
She held her side of the cracker and gave Evan a challenging expression.
“I’m going to win this, Smalls,” he threatened.
“You get it’s more about the experience and less ab
out winning, right?” she asked him.
He shook his head. “You have so much to learn, young’un.”
They yanked in unison, the cracker making a loud popping sound as it split apart.
Sophia was left holding the shorter side.
Evan held up the container that held his prize. “Winner!” He pointed in her face. “Loser.”
“So mature,” she said. She shook her head at him as he unfolded the paper hat he found inside the cracker and placed it on his head.
Holiday carols filled the living area, which was exquisitely decorated. The Castle had outdone itself after Hiker had allowed Christmas, filling up every space with flocked garlands and raising a tree covered in red and silver ornaments.
The House of Fourteen was usually incredibly decorated for the holidays, but it paled in comparison to this. Lights twinkled down the banisters of the stairs, and the smell of cinnamon and orange zest greeted Sophia’s nose at every turn.
“Well, how about a consolation present?” Wilder asked, handing Sophia a horribly wrapped medium-sized package.
“Thank you,” she said, blushing. She noticed his brown hair appeared windswept, although Lunis had said Simi hadn’t been out of the Cave all day. She didn’t know what Wilder was up to, but she couldn’t say she wasn’t desperately curious. “I didn’t know we were exchanging presents. I…” She looked around suddenly and grabbed a fork off a tray on a table. “I only got you this fork.”
He grabbed it, pretending to be in awe. “Fork? What’s a fork?”
She smiled at him. “I’ll teach you how to use it.”
He held it to his chest. “My first fork. I’ll treasure it forever. Now open your present, and I’ll teach you how to use it.”
Sophia laughed at the wrapping. “Did you do this yourself?”
“Hey,” he barked. “I can ride a dragon and fight a dozen men at once. I don’t need to be able to gift-wrap.”
She waved him off. “It’s good to be well-rounded.”
Sophia pulled off the paper and immediately knew why he’d had such a challenge wrapping her gift. Most people would have trouble wrapping a grappling hook. “How did you know I wanted this?” she asked, thinking immediately of Liv. Her sister had been the one to give her the idea for the gift.
“Because when you were trying to convince Hiker to let us have Christmas at the Castle, you kept saying, ‘If we don’t celebrate here, how am I going to get a grappling hook?’”
Sophia laughed. “Well, I was hoping he wanted me to have a grappling hook for missions and would give us Christmas for practical reasons.” She held the present to her chest. “I love it, though. Thanks so much. And I’d love lessons on how to use it.”
He held up his fork. “And I love my first eating utensil. Soon you’ll be able to take me to fancy restaurants, not that I’m asking you on a date or anything.”
Sophia shook her head. “You aren’t even ready for a run-down pub yet, so don’t worry. You teach me how to use the grappling hook, and I’ll help you be less of a Neanderthal.”
“It’s a good partnership,” he agreed.
Sophia looked around as Evan played with his prizes from the Christmas cracker and Mahkah and Quiet played a calm game of chess by the fire. It was good to see Mahkah up and around. She hoped this was the last time he was injured for a while. He had a record going at this point.
Everyone looked up from the presents and the festive foods Ainsley had served when Hiker Wallace strode down the stairs into the main area. He was dressed the same, but there was something different about the leader of the Dragon Elite. He appeared lighter. Less troubled.
The riders knew his secret. Everyone had understood, and their allegiance to Hiker was all the stronger for it. Ironically, the thing he thought would make him appear weak to his dragonriders had endeared him to them.
“What, no Father Christmas outfit?” Ainsley asked, carrying a tray of hot cocoa.
Hiker rolled his eyes and shook his head at the housekeeper. There was sympathy in his eyes Sophia realized had always been there, but she’d missed it before. There was more to Ainsley’s and Hiker’s story; she knew it. And like she’d uncovered the other secrets, she planned on figuring out theirs.
Sophia had already decided one of her upcoming missions was to help Ainsley recover her lost memory. She wasn’t sure why, but she wanted that for the shapeshifter. Maybe it would hurt at first, but she hoped in time it healed her and brought her some peace.
“But first, your training,” Mama Jamba said at her shoulder as if she’d been in her thoughts, listening.
“Excuse me?” Sophia asked.
“I agree she needs her memories back,” Mama Jamba said, also wearing one of the paper crowns from the Christmas crackers. She also appeared to have had a few hot-toddies, the whisky making her cheeks flush pink. “But I was right about what I said to Lunis.”
“Completing our training will change everything,” Sophia recited, remembering what her dragon had told her.
“It will save the Dragon Elite, or it will destroy it,” Mama Jamba continued, hiccupping.
“So, no pressure then, right?” Sophia joked.
Mama Jamba placed a comforting arm around Sophia and pulled her in tight. For a girl who couldn’t remember her mother and who’d had few nurturing experiences in her lifetime, she suddenly felt an unconditional love like no other. It was the affection of a mother—unwavering and with an irresistible favor for their child.
“I’m sorry if you feel a lot of weight on your shoulders, my lovely dear,” Mama Jamba said, her Southern accent stronger thanks to the whisky. “And yet, get used to it, because if you survive what comes, the world will rest on your shoulders off and on for a long, long time. The angels and I have put certain balls into motion, and we were hoping you’d kick them around for a few thousand years.”
Sophia gulped, the implications of what Mother Nature was saying staggering.
A few thousand years was a long time to watch over the Earth. And yet, Sophia Beaufont wouldn’t have it any other way.
Whereas some wanted a quiet life, with peace and cuddles, Sophia wanted the opportunity to secure that life for mortals, magicians, elves, gnomes, giants, and all creatures great and small.
She also wasn’t opposed to a few cuddles here and there when the time presented itself. Peace was a nice idea, too.
Feeling grateful as she watched the Christmas festivities around the Castle, Sophia smiled, believing the Dragon Elite were headed in the right direction. They had challenges to face. Enemies who were truly evil. They also had a second chance, a leader who was renewed, and a spirit literally fueled by the essence that created life itself.
To Sophia, those were good odds. She felt she’d chosen the winning team, but only time would tell.
Chapter Seventy-Four
Over four hundred and fifty years ago
Having ripped the fabric of his cloak into pieces, Hiker Wallace worked fast, knowing he was losing blood quickly. Without the warmth of his cape, the chill of the Highland air made his teeth chatter, but it was more important to stop the bleeding from the knife wound in his leg than stay warm.
The blade had hit an artery, based on how much it was bleeding. The magician was too light-headed to use magic to seal the wound. Even if Hiker could use magic, he wasn’t competent enough with healing spells to ensure it wouldn’t backfire. His quiet life, traveling across the highlands and looking for meaning, hadn’t offered Hiker many opportunities to learn different branches of magic.
In his forty years on Earth, Hiker had run across few people during his travels. It had been a surprise to him to find the one person he’d been trying to avoid most of his life in the middle of nowhere.
“Hiker!” Thad Reinhart yelled. His voice echoed over the green hills and carried across the loch in the distance. “Come out, come out, wherever you are!”
Hiker tensed behind the boulder where he was hiding. His twin brother sounded close, and why wou
ldn’t he be? Of course, Thad had gained on him. Thad could run much faster than Hiker, always the more agile one, and with the leg wound, he had a considerable advantage.
“You know, I’ve been trying to find you for over two decades!” Thad yelled, his Scottish accent thicker than Hiker’s due to his lack of education. His voice sounded almost giddy with excitement. “You do know that, don’t you? You bloody coward. You’ve been running for way too long.”
Ever since Thad found out if one twin died, the other would inherit their magical power he’d been trying to murder Hiker. It had simply been an extra motivation. Thad had been trying to kill Hiker since the beginning. His nature was to take out anyone who had more than him—anyone he considered had wronged him, even if inadvertently.
Hiker’s mistake had been in just existing. No matter what he tried to do, his twin brother would never accept him. And magic made it all the worse.
Hiker tied another bit of his torn cloak around his wound and tried to breathe through his mouth as the searing pain nearly made him pass out. He pulled the shredded cloak back over his shoulders, careful to stay low.
It was only a matter of time before Thad found him in his hiding spot. Hiker should have realized it was only a matter of time before his twin found him in general. He knew their connection gave them hints about the other. Often he saw flashes of Thad’s life—the people he swindled, the treasures he’d stolen, the ones he abused…killed.
Living in the highlands had made it easier for Hiker to shield his thoughts from his brother. Time had helped too. But it hadn’t lasted, and now Thad had found him and would finish him for good.
“You gave it all up for this!” Thad yelled, his voice closer. Hiker pictured him sweeping his arms wide at the vast rolling hills all around them. “You had the riches I deserved. The parents I should have had. The life meant for me. And you gave it all up because you were scared, knowing if you stuck around, I’d kill you, you bloody coward.”
