by Sarah Noffke
Using his camouflaging spell, Rudolf settled down at Nevin Gooseman’s computer, knowing that if the politician came into the office at that late hour, he wouldn’t spot the fae. He might smell him though since Rudolf had polished off a bottle of bourbon and a box of powdered donuts.
He licked his fingers. It was always the little treats that were the gift that kept giving.
All were asleep in the Gooseman residence. Rudolf’s late-night adventures and spying had told him that the security, staff, and family all tucked in around nine o’clock each night, completely bored by their lives. Since no one cared to call on these people and they had zero imagination, they all just sipped their tea and went to bed, preparing themselves for the monotony of tomorrow.
Rudolf stretched, his hands over his head, and cracked his knuckles. Usually, nine o’clock at night was when Serena, his wife, was just waking up from the festivities of the day before. Since they lived and owned the Las Vegas strip, “friends” whose names they never knew were always stopping by. The party didn’t peak until around two in the morning and was usually over by the time the Captains were waking up. Fae didn’t really need much sleep.
There was actually a century where Rudolf only slept an hour and a half the entire hundred years. He was pretty certain he married someone during that period, although he couldn’t find proof of it. He’d just wake up randomly in the present century and yell, “I do! If it makes you feel better, then I’ll hitch myself to you!”
Then there was the scar on his left hip he couldn’t explain.
He smiled and giggled to himself, the bourbon doing the trick. Maybe it was the powdered donuts. Or both.
“Life is an adventure,” he whispered to himself, preparing to hack into Nevin Gooseman’s computer. The only problem was, he didn’t know how to break into anything but a liquor cabinet or a cookie jar.
“If mortals and magicians can do it, then I can too,” he stated, trying to give himself confidence.
He combed his hand over the side of the monitor and winked at the computer. “Hey, baby. Do you come here often?”
The computer screen lit up, showing a password screen.
That wouldn’t do. Everything could be seduced. Rudolf had even once seduced a giantess in order to get access to her property. He shivered with disgust, remembering. He could still smell the beet juice under his fingernails.
Directing his attention at the computer, he blew it a kiss and said, “So howwww yoooou doin?”
The password magically filled in and then bypassed the security screen.
Rudolf smiled, sitting back. Life was so easy for him. He didn’t understand why magicians complicated everything with trying to understand things when they could rely on charm and good looks.
Then Rudolf remembered that those options weren’t available. To them.
Staring at the screen of options, Rudolf was confounded by what to do next. There was a whole slew of documents and data, and he really didn’t know where to start.
“What would Liv do?” he asked himself.
Pulling up the search options, Rudolf pecked out the query, “Top secret information.”
Nothing came up.
He sighed. “I really thought that would work.”
Again he typed up a search, “Bad stuff.”
No results.
Drumming his lips in frustration, Rudolf considered giving up. That was the best thing about him. Some people pushed themselves until they were exhausted. They really went the extra mile, stressing themselves out until they succeeded. Not Rudolf Sweetwater. He quit well before that and had no real wrinkles to prove it. At a ripe six-hundred years old, he was one handsome man with few to no accomplishments, no education, and a kingdom of slobs. He had the life.
But this time, he couldn’t give up. The Beaufonts were relying on him. The Great Library was at stake. Rudolf wanted to go home and sleep on his satin sheets. He wanted to snuggle his babies and tell his wife to, “Chop chop, bake me a pie, woman.” Then Serena would throw an empty vodka bottle at his head, and he’d feel better for being home.
Deciding he was going to give it another go, Rudolf pictured in his mind what he wanted. No, what he needed. Information linking Nevin Gooseman to the conspiracies behind the Dragon Elite.
He held his hands out and directed his magical energy at the screen. At first, nothing happened, and then window after window popped up, showing dozens and dozens of pieces of data, all of them indicting the politician, proving he slandered the Dragon Elite.
Chapter One Hundred Twenty-Nine
I don’t think it will fit, Lunis said dryly, regarding the T-shirt from Pimping Pip’s Apparel she brought back from her adventures with the crew of Ricky Bobby.
Sophia tried to laugh, but instead, her eyes trailed over the Expanse of the Gullington. “Yeah, I think you’re right.”
What’s wrong? Lunis asked.
She shrugged. “Nothing.”
You can’t lie to me, he reminded her.
“We both know I’m lying and not even trying, so what?”
You liked them, he said, sounding slightly offended.
“I did. But I like all people. It’s just hard to go somewhere and know you can’t go back. Sometimes it’s easier not to know than never have a chance to return.”
That’s how I’d feel about Montana, he remarked. Like if you told me I couldn’t go back, I’d be all sad, but as it is, I’m not making any immediate plans of returning. That place is cold, and that’s coming from me, a dragon who calls Scotland home.
Sophia scrunched up her shoulders, feeling a sudden warmth in her chest. “Yeah, that’s a good point. And this is home.”
Lunis’s tail wrapped around her. Soph, home is where we are. As long as we are together.
She nodded, feeling a new fondness for her dragon. “Did you enjoy the attention at Happily Ever After college?”
He shrugged. Sort of, but also not really. I mean, don’t get me wrong, it was nice, but it’s all based on myth, and although some of it is based on real events, a lot has been blown out of proportion. Dragons are amazing, but at the end of the day, we’re as susceptible to dangers as you or any other magical creature. They kept regarding me like I was invincible, and although that’s nice, I don’t need the false confidence.
Sophia smiled, leaning back into her dragon. “You know, Lunis, for being a young dragon, you’re wise beyond your years.”
He lowered his head, pressing it down on hers, but not hard—just letting her know he was there. The thing is, having the affection of strangers that think you’re larger than life isn’t as nice as having the depth of affection from someone who knows your flaws and loves you despite them.
“Or loves you because of them,” Sophia countered.
She felt him smile above her. Thanks, Soph.
Breaking their special moment as they looked out over the Expanse and Pond in the distance was the buzzing of Sophia’s phone. She would have ignored it, but they both knew that was a negligent move with so much going on. She straightened and pulled her phone from her pocket, reading the message from her sister.
Feeling her chest tighten with both excitement and tension, Sophia looked up at her dragon. “It’s go time. We’re ready to storm the Great Library.”
Chapter One Hundred Thirty
“It’s all come down to this,” Hiker Wallace said, striding in front of the Dragon Elite, who stood on the Expanse of the Gullington.
“This may not be the end of Nevin Gooseman and his agenda,” he continued, his hands pinned behind his back, his chin held up high in the air as the wind pushed his shoulder-length hair back behind him. “This will be the end of this battle. We will see to that.”
Mahkah, Evan, Sophia, and Wilder all stood at attention, their dragons stoically at their backs, all of their focus on their leader.
Hiker halted, his eyes pinning each one of them individually. “You all know what you must do, correct?”
“Yes, sir,” they
answered in unison.
“The timing is crucial,” Hiker continued.
“Yes, sir,” they said again.
“We’ve heard the instructions from Sophia about the CAR,” Hiker informed them, making everyone nod.
“You will wait for my command,” Hiker stated with authority, to which no one objected.
From the steps of the Castle in the distance, Sophia spied Mama Jamba working on her ball of wax, humming as she did so like there was nothing else of interest going on. It was a nice spring day with no cares in the world.
“The two most important objectives are that we protect the Great Library and we get King Rudolf Sweetwater away to safety,” the Viking ordered.
“Yes, sir,” everyone said again.
“Very good,” Hiker said with relief. He picked up the CAR Sophia had given to him, explaining the specifics and directions for using it. They’d sat down like two strategic leaders and mapped out the plan they would follow. It wasn’t exact, but the best plans weren’t. They allowed for some flexibility, depending on circumstances.
Hiker handed the stainless-steel box to Sophia with a nod of his head. “I trust you to push the button when the time comes.”
She nodded. “Yes, sir.”
“While in battle, you will follow all orders given to you by your leader Sophia, who will be communicating with you all throughout,” he stated and pointed to the earpiece they all shared, using regular technology and no magitech. They’d come a long way since their first battle together.
As Sophia stared at her fellow dragonriders, she looked forward to further progress and to see what other places they progressed toward. Together.
Chapter One Hundred Thirty-One
There was no greater feeling than riding into a battle with her team beside her. Lunis felt the rush too, his heart beating steadily underneath Sophia. She could feel it pounding like it was her own. She felt the heat building in him as he flapped his long wings, soaring over the oceans that stretched around the Great Library.
Of course, the Dragon Elite knew the exact location of the mysterious place due to Plato’s help. He’d also communicated it to Rudolf so he could find it when he led Nevin Gooseman’s army there. The glamour protecting the Great Library from view had been taken down. That was the only way for this to work. The magitech army needed to see the library. They needed to not believe this was a trap and be on the defensive. Then they could be “caught,” and the chase could begin.
Beside Sophia and Lunis was Wilder, riding Simi, her white scales reflecting the evening sunlight that shimmered over the ocean waves. Behind them, riding alongside each other were Mahkah and Tala. Bringing up the rear was the fearless Evan on Coral.
Sophia and Lunis couldn’t be seen by the magitech army or anyone but the other Dragon Elite members. The same was true for the guys. They were cloaked from mortals and magicians alike…at least for now until everything was in place.
“I’m really going to miss this place when it’s gone,” Plato said, fondly, looking up at the rows and rows of books that went on for miles and miles in the Great Library.
Liv rolled her eyes at the lynx. “It’s not going anywhere. The Dragon Elite are going to defend it, and we’re going to get Rudolf back.”
“True about that first part, but I don’t see the harm in a little collateral damage in this fight,” the cat replied, squinting from the evening sun streaming through the bank of windows running along the walls of the Great Library.
“Rudolf won’t be collateral damage,” Liv stated with conviction. “Not on my watch. Especially after the information he dug up on Nevin Gooseman.”
“Fine, let the chimp live,” Plato said. “It’s quite the impressive feat he’s made it this long.”
Liv nodded, unable to argue with that. “He’s really a wonder. How can someone be so unbelievably clueless and at the same time, incredibly competent when the occasion strikes?”
“I think the creator of the fae—Anastasia Crystal—blessed him somehow,” Plato imparted.
Liv lowered her chin regarding her familiar through a hooded gaze. “You think…”
He shrugged, starting to stride down the aisle. “I heard a rumor.”
She followed alongside him. “That’s interesting. I wonder why he got special treatment.”
Plato’s tail flickered in the air. “Probably nothing to do with anything important like a prophecy about his association to some Royals for the House of Fourteen.”
Liv shook her head, not surprised by this information or the fact that Plato knew it. “You mysterious little feline and your vast knowledge.”
“As I was saying, I’ll miss the Great Library when it’s gone, but I was referring to the location,” Plato explained.
“You’re going to move it then? After this?” Liv glanced around at the huge place filled with every single book ever written. Except for two, which were both in Sophia’s possession—The Complete History of Dragonriders and Baba Yaga’s grimoire. Neither could be replicated, and both were full of incredible magic that in the wrong hands would be very dangerous. “You’re going to need a big moving truck and some strong teenage boys. Maybe if you buy them a few pizzas, they’ll do it for cheap.”
Plato didn’t appear amused by this. “I think I can handle it on my own, but I will need help with securing the new librarian.”
“I can help with that!” Liv said, excitedly.
He lowered his chin and shook his head. “You do know the rules about being in a library, right?”
She pretended to think for a moment, combing her fingers over her chin. “You’re supposed to run through them madly and always reshelve your own books because, as an inexperienced nonlibrarian, you know the best way to do it.”
“Get out,” he told her bluntly.
Liv glanced over her shoulder, with a mock look of fear. “There’s about to be a magitech army out there, and it’s really sunny, and I didn’t bring my sunglasses or put on my sunscreen.”
“In a library,” he instructed in his usual dignified tone, “it is customary to speak at a low volume.”
“Yeah, but that’s like that whole idea of not running with scissors,” Liv joked. “It’s advice, but not a rule.”
“They are both rules,” he corrected. “You’re not supposed to throw scissors either.”
Liv laughed loudly. “Hey, Stefan needed them, and I didn’t feel like getting off the couch.”
Plato shook his head with a disappointed look. “I will require both you and your sister’s help in recruiting the new librarian I have chosen.”
“Does this person know they’ve been picked yet?”
He lifted an eyebrow and glared at her with a look that said, “What do you think?”
“What if this person won’t take the job?” Liv asked, looking around, marveling at the vastness of the Great Library. “I mean, it is a really lonely job.”
“You have read a book before, right?”
“Once,” she replied quickly.
“For those who read, they are never lonely or bored,” Plato told her sagely.
“Yeah!” she said too loudly again. “How does the phrase go…” Liv thought for a moment.
“The quieter you become, the more you can hear,” Plato offered, quite seriously.
She shook her head. “No! That’s not it.”
“Confidence is silent. Insecurities are loud,” Plato supplied.
“Nope!” Liv exclaimed. “It’s on the tip of my tongue though.”
“Oh, I know what it is,” Plato said with confidence. “He who knows little knows enough, if he knows how to hold his tongue.”
Liv laughed out loud. “I see where you’re going with this and it won’t work.”
He nodded. “Those more powerful than me have tried to make you quiet down and failed.”
Her brow scrunched up with confusion. “Who is more powerful than you? Oh, Papa Creola, I guess. But not by much. And yeah, that old man keeps trying to get me to pu
t a lid on it, but I can’t be deterred.”
“That is both your greatest strength and biggest weakness,” Plato observed.
“Oh!” she yelled, her eyes popping with surprise. “Speaking of which, I remember the quote.” Liv snapped her fingers as she tried to remember the exact words of the George R. R. Martin phrase. “It goes, ‘A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies. The man who never reads lives only once.’”
“Yes, so I dare say that the person I’ve chosen to be the librarian for the Great Library will not get bored,” Plato told her confidently.
Liv sighed dramatically. “Although, I’d argue I’ve already lived a few hundred lives, and I never have the time to read.”
“Try audiobooks,” he suggested. “You are the exception, and I think you will live more lives than any reader.”
“Oh!” she marveled. “Maybe I’ll write my own book one day, full of all my adventures. Do you think people would read it?”
He shrugged. “Only really smart people who can appreciate your sense of humor.”
She batted her eyes at him. “Why, thank you, dear Plato.”
“Anyway, this librarian will take some convincing, which is why I want you and Sophia to both use your efforts to recruit him,” Plato said, slipping back into his business-like tone. “Getting to him will be complicated and somewhat dangerous.”
“I’d expect nothing less,” she replied with a laugh. “Nothing is worth the end result if I don’t have to cross an active volcano and battle a deranged monster to get it. So, where is this future librarian?”
Plato looked out the bank of windows at the ocean that surrounded the Great Library. “I’ll give you the information on that at a later date, after the battle today has been won, and the library moved to its new location. It won’t be safe to stay here after Nevin Gooseman and his army knows where it is. Even with the complication of needing to find the Fierce to get here, it’s not worth the risk to have such unhealthy minds to know about this place. Those who would both want to destroy this place and also believe it should be open to all, understand very little about this world. Knowledge must be valued and protected at all costs.”
