Rules of Justice (The Exceptional S. Beaufont Book 8)

by Sarah Noffke

  A crack punctuated the howl when it ended, but the sound of the monster continued to echo in Sophia’s head. She felt it always would. For all eternity, she’d hear the Chupacabra’s protest of pain in the back of her mind. Gradually, after a loud sound of something like thunder, the noises of the forests started to return. Little crickets, birds tweeting. The breeze rustling the branches overhead.

  Sophia didn’t know how long she lay on the ground, her face covered, and her hand in the air, but when the light beam spell had worn off, she dared to open her eyes. Peeking through her fingers, she noticed the forest was shadowy once more, and nothing was radiating from her hand—although it felt burned like she’d touched a hot stove briefly.

  Sophia willed her eyes to adjust. At first, she thought it was night based on the darkness around her. Then she realized the darkness was the Chupacabra. The large dog was suspended in the air, where he’d been frozen as he leaped for Sophia. She saw how close she had been to getting mauled.

  It was strange to see the animal paralyzed in mid-jump, his eyes full of hostility. Sophia couldn’t make out what had happened or if the light beam spell had worked. She noticed that his form wasn’t solid anymore.

  He was…

  “Dust,” she whispered in astonishment as she spied the little flakes of dirt slowly start to fall off the animal, like a crumbling rock wall.

  Her brow furrowed with confusion and also sadness that she’d had to do this to the creature. With a fondness for life that Sophia hadn’t expected, she raised a hand, about to brush it over the dog’s face just as a gust of wind swept passed her. With it, the wind took the Chupacabra, sending the dust and dirt and ash that made him up into the air, past the row of trees and away, into the forest where he would become a part of it once more.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Sophia wasn’t sure how long she stood there watching the ash travel on the breeze, blowing around like smoke through the forest until it all dissipated and disappeared. She felt mesmerized by the sight before her, but she also reasoned she was taking a moment to pay her respects to the Chupacabra.

  Again she was reminded that things weren’t black and white in this world. There wasn’t just evil and good. All of them were mixed together, and erasing evil sometimes felt like it also blotted out goodness. One couldn’t exist without the other. Just like for every good dragon that hatched, there was an evil one.

  Although she knew that ridding Sherwood Forest of the Chupacabra had to happen, it still filled her with sorrow to know she had extinguished it from the Earth forever. All living creatures deserved respect, although some had to be ended since reason wasn’t a part of their cognition.

  Sophia was pulled from her quiet reverie by a creaking sound. She whipped her head up, recalling where she was and, more importantly, where Lunis was. Speeding over to the large tree, Sophia looked up and nearly burst out laughing. She pressed her lips together and bit her tongue to stop herself.

  So, the disguising spell appears to have worn off, Lunis said, not amused by his current predicament.

  “It appears,” she mused, squinting to determine where the blue dragon began and the tree ended. When he had been in kitten form, he had looked so small sitting on the moss-covered branches of the tree. Without any warning, the disguise spell had come off, and now Lunis was tangled inside the tree full of knobby branches. His neck was looped around a set of limbs that went up and outward before deciding to dip back down again. His legs and body were pinned between larger branches that were easily the size of small trees themselves. The only part that was free was his tail, which was looped around sections at the back, trying to stabilize him.

  Any bright ideas on ways of getting me down? he asked, embarrassment evident in his tone. Asking for help wasn’t something dragons were good at, even those who were a part of the new generation.

  “Besides calling a lumberjack?” Sophia teased, unable to help herself. She consoled herself with the notion he wouldn’t pass up the opportunity to tease her if the roles had been reversed.

  I was actually hoping not to damage the tree, or I’d already be down by now, Lunis told her dryly.

  Sophia nodded, appreciating his noble heart. She knew he could shake and thrash his spike covered head into the branches, making them crumble to the ground and freeing him. But the tree was old and had a presence they both respected.

  “What about a compartment spell?” Sophia offered, thinking of the magic that allowed dragons to fit into small spaces.

  He shook his head. My magic is a bit too depleted for that. I used up a great deal, trying not to get eaten earlier and protect you.

  “I appreciate that,” she said, thinking. “Mine is too, or I’d shrink you back down and then get you out that way.”

  And you’re out of food, he guessed.

  Sophia nodded, feeling around in her pockets just in case and to her disappointment, finding an empty candy bar wrapper.

  She chewed on her lip, thinking. She had enough magic to portal to the Gullington. There she could refill her reserves and then return. It wasn’t ideal, and leaving Lunis would hurt her heart, but they needed a solution, and they still hadn’t done what they’d come to Sherwood Forest to do—gather all the mushrooms.

  On the heel of these thoughts, Sophia noticed activity around the green forest. At first, she thought it was the twig and leaf-like people returning. That was true, but there was something else.

  Color.

  All around them, blossoming in various places were a wide variety of the most striking colors, adding magic to the green of the forest.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Steam rose from the forest ground as turquoise and pink blossoms unfurled from plants. Fruit appeared on the trees all around them, dropping into place like it was suddenly springtime. With a popping sound, various vegetables and herbs sprouted from stalks, vines or bushes. Within a few minutes, the whole forest became a plethora of lush foods that filled the air with many enticing aromas.

  As the steam spiraled, the forest floor became visible. Sophia spied mushrooms rise up from the moss-covered ground, and squashes of every color appeared, making a path fit for a Brownie to cross.

  Sophia’s stomach rumbled as she peered up at Lunis wide-eyed. “I think I’ve got the food covered, and my reserves will be full really soon.”

  Do you think it’s safe to eat? Lunis asked from his place in the tree now full of apples.

  Sophia reached over and pulled a small cucumber from a vine and sniffed. “I think so, but there’s only one way to tell.”

  Famous last words, he muttered.

  “Well, I don’t have much choice, now do I?”

  He pursed his lips and nodded, not appearing very comfortable, cramped as he was by the various branches. With the shiny red apples swinging around him, he was in an even tighter position than before.

  Sophia pulled the small knife Subner had made for her from her pocket and used it to cut the end of the cucumber. It was perfectly ripe, having fully grown only minutes before. The freshness hit Sophia’s nose, making her smile. Unable to hold off any longer, she took a bite of the cucumber, the pure flavor more than enough to satisfy her taste. It didn’t need anything, not salt or sauce.

  Well? Lunis asked, having watched as she devoured the vegetable.

  “I don’t think I’m going to die,” she said between bites, pulling a few red cabbage leaves from the ground and ungracefully stuffing them in her mouth. They, too, were delicious, all by themselves. Their crunch was perfect and their freshness divine.

  Well, that’s a relief, Lunis muttered. You dying would ruin just about everything.

  He reached out as far as he could and swallowed an apple hanging from the closest branch whole. Hey, that’s pretty good for an apple.

  “Everything here is incredible,” Sophia said, using her knife to cut off a cluster of plump cherry tomatoes. The smell of the vine was earthy and contrasted with the sweetness nicely when she popped a small tomato into
her mouth.

  Yeah, but I don’t usually eat fruit, Lunis stated.

  “But you do eat nachos and Cheetos and whatnot,” she argued between bites.

  That’s different, he said. Those are carbs and good for my overall morale. Fruits and vegetables are usually the opposite of good for me. They make me want to cry. He was on his third apple. If fruits tasted like these all the time, I could get used to this.

  Sophia nodded. “I might not even mind this stuff in desserts.” She paused, thinking for a moment. “No, wait. There’s a time to eat a salad, and then there’s a time for chocolate pie. Let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves.”

  Lunis giggled. I agree. Where is the chocolate tree, anyway?

  She shrugged. There was so much forest all around them. They could literally eat their way through it for hours. “I’m not sure, but I’m guessing this is one of Mama Jamba’s marvels.”

  It was under attack by the Chupacabra, making it impossible to thrive, Lunis added.

  “But now…” Sophia rose up on her tiptoes, trying to reach a large fruit she didn’t recognize. It was round and tannish in color with things that sort of resembled spikes but didn’t look too sharp.

  You know what that is, don’t you? Lunis asked, his voice tentative.

  She paused, giving him a cautious glare. “Why? And no.”

  It’s a durian fruit, he answered. I was totally falling in love with this place until I spied that. If you touch that, I’m going to have to torch your hands to get the smell off.

  Sophia peeled away from the large fruit. “Is it the stuff we saw cats sniffing on YouTube that was making them gag?”

  He nodded. Exactly. If it’s bad enough to make cats, who lick their own behinds, gag, I would stay clear of the stuff.

  “Why would Mama Jamba create food that smelled so awful?” Sophia asked.

  She was probably having a bad day, Lunis suggested. Like when she said she stubbed her toe and created Death Valley in California.

  Sophia laughed. “Yeah, funny that the hottest place on Earth is a result of Mama Jamba trying to find her way to the bathroom at night.”

  Yeah, so steer clear of the durian fruit, Lunis said.

  “I’m full actually,” Sophia related, feeling quite satisfied after nibbling on the various fruits and vegetables.

  Then help a dragon out, Lunis demanded, wiggling to try and reach another apple, but unable to get to it.

  Sophia pointed at the massive dragon, and he shrunk down at once to the kitten form, looking adorable once more. He blinked at her with his oversized eyes, and she nearly exclaimed from the cuteness but decided it would be better if she refrained. Dragons didn’t like asking for help, but even more than that, they loathed being considered cute. Puppies were cute. Kittens were adorable. Hedgehogs were delightful. Dragons were supposed to be majestic.

  The kitten climbed down headfirst, but since his front was so much heavier than the rest of him, he tumbled in the middle of the trunk. The blue and green kitten landed on his back, his paws hanging over his back legs, so he was sitting similar to a person.

  Lunis glanced up at Sophia with a challenging expression. Don’t say a word.

  She held in the laugh. “I wasn’t going to.”

  You were, he admonished, trying to roll over on his feet, his oversized kitten belly making it difficult.

  “I might have been tempted to say something about how cats don’t always land on their feet,” she dared to tease.

  I could really use some meat, after all, Lunis declared, trying again and finally rolling over to his paws.

  “Is that your way of threatening to eat me again?” Sophia asked. “You know, my demise will be your own.”

  He shook his head. No. I won’t kill you. Just snack on an arm or something. You don’t really need two, do you?

  “I guess not,” she pretended to answer. “You don’t really need Disney Plus anymore, do you?”

  He lowered his chin, a scowl making his cute kitten face appear suddenly different. You wouldn’t…

  “I might cancel all the cable channels if you eat one of my arms,” she sang.

  He shook his head. Fine. You can keep them for now. Will you change me back now?

  “Into what?” Sophia asked. “A nice dragon? A complimentary dragon? A thoughtful dragon?”

  A man-eating one, he said, glaring at her.

  Sophia shook her head. “Here, I thought we were done with the threats.”

  You know you’d never want that, Lunis remarked, lifting his paw and appearing about to lick it. Totally mortified, he pulled it away. Seriously, change me now before I have the urge to chase my tail.

  Sophia nodded, flicking her wrist at him as she stood back to make room for the large dragon. Like the pumpkins that had materialized, the dragon blossomed into his full form on the forest floor.

  He glanced himself over, checking he had all his claws and limbs. When he was finished, the dragon shook himself like a dog after a bath. That feels much better.

  “So you don’t like being a cat, I take it?” Sophia asked, watching as fog or whatever it was curled across the forest, making it appear even more mysterious.

  I’m a dragon, he told her. Being anything but that is unacceptable.

  She nodded with understanding. “But it worked, and we got rid of the Chupacabra.”

  He agreed, indicating something in the distance. I suspect the residents of Sherwood Forest are most grateful and coming to show it.

  Chapter Twenty

  Marching toward them from multiple directions were the leaf and twig creatures. They were spilling out of holes in the ground and trees, with bright, hopeful expressions on their faces as they looked at the cornucopia of fruits and vegetables still sprouting.

  For Sophia, it felt like a Wizard of Oz moment when the Munchkin people filed out of their homes and began singing and dancing, rejoicing the Wicked Witch was dead. In this case, the twig and leaf people were undoubtedly excited to have the Chupacabra gone and their forest back.

  The creatures, made of parts of the forest with their bodies covered in leaves or twigs, weren’t humming or singing, but their happiness was apparent in the way they moved. How long had the evil mutt terrorized their home, making it so no fruits or vegetables grew? It didn’t matter, Sophia reasoned. The forest was back to normal now, and for her purposes, that meant she could complete the reason she came to Sherwood Forest.

  However, as she looked around at the space, she was automatically overwhelmed. There were literally mushrooms everywhere. They were growing from the sides of trees, up high. Down low, they covered parts of the forest floor like rugs. Long mushrooms sprouted from clumps of dirt buried in holes in the trees. Fat mushrooms created homes for twig people who were peeking out, trying to ensure the rabid dog wasn’t going to return. There had to be thousands of mushrooms and getting all of them would take quite some time.

  Not if we enlist some help, Lunis stated, having read Sophia’s thoughts.

  She blinked at them. “Do you mean these guys?” Sweeping her hand in the direction of the little people.

  We did return their forest to normal, he reasoned.

  Sophia nodded but didn’t feel especially happy. “I don’t like the idea of taking all of the mushrooms, though. I mean, they use them for shelter, and over foraging can’t be good.”

  You said Mama Jamba told you to get all of the mushrooms, Lunis argued.

  Sophia pursed her lips and thought for a moment. “Yes, but I’m making an executive decision. For one, gathering all of them will take time we don’t have. And secondly, I don’t think it’s wise to ever go into any forest or area or whatever and take all of something. That’s how we run out of resources. That’s how we come into disputes. We’re supposed to do things in sustainable ways.”

  Like plant two trees for each one you chop down, sort of thing, Lunis offered.

  “Exactly,” Sophia said, her hands on her hips.

  Hey, you do you, boo. You d
o you, he sang. You’re the one answering to Mama Jamba.

  “Well, that’s my call then,” Sophia decided. “If it’s not enough, then I’ll suffer the repercussions.”

  I wonder what that woman is like when she’s mad, Lunis said with a whistle. I mean, if she creates Death Valley for stubbing her toe, imagine what she’ll do to you for not following orders.

  Sophia shrugged this off. “It’s just a risk I’ll have to take.”

  She didn’t want to admit the idea of disappointing Mama Jamba was overwhelming. Mother Nature was the sweetest person she’d ever met, but those were the types you didn’t want to let down. They were the ones whose anger would be quiet and understated, and what they didn’t say would scar her soul. She gulped. “It’s fine. This will work. I’ll make it work.”

  They both knew Sophia was mostly saying that to make herself feel better.

  Now you need to enlist some help. Lunis indicated the twig and leaf people who were marching around, gathering up bits of food in baskets made from nutshells and other various things from the forest. Or are you too good for that too?

  She rolled her eyes at him and crouched so she was closer to the ground. “Hey,” Sophia began, getting the attention of many of the twig-creatures close by. “I was hoping you’d help me. I need one of every type of mushroom that you have here. I’m not sure if you are willing, but I was hoping that you might consider it since this is your domain.”

  The creatures with soft brown eyes and quizzical expression regarded her like she was an alien.

  Sophia sighed, realizing she was going to have to do the foraging herself. She wasn’t sure how she’d be able to tell if and when she’d gotten one of all the different varieties. She worried this would cause her to over forage, the one thing she was trying to avoid. With a defeated breath, Sophia summoned a wicker basket that would hopefully be deep enough to carry all she needed.