by Sarah Noffke
“Harry,” Ireland interrupted, looking affectionately down at his unsuspecting cat. “And yes, of course. I’ll stay put. I have a lot of reading to do.”
“In the meantime, I’ll look into options for your bookstore,” Liv stated. “I might be able to create a permanent portal between your residence and the bookstore, but certain security measures will have to be set up. We wouldn’t want an unsuspecting mortal falling through into the House of Fourteen. Can you imagine their confusion?”
Ireland stared around, still in awe. “No, I can’t. I’ve seen magic all my life and this is still too much for me to easily process. It’s going to take a while.”
Liv patted him on the arm. “Don’t worry, you have the time. For now, just make yourself at home, and let me know if you need anything.”
Ireland turned, his attention only on her. “You saved me, transformed Harry, and brought me here, changing my world in all the best ways. Warrior Liv Beaufont, I hope from this moment forward to serve you.”
Liv didn’t know what to say. That was the way the Councilors and Warriors were supposed to work, but it took a newbie to say it. All along, they were supposed to be serving each other, for the greater good of all the races.
Hopefully, they weren’t far from doing that.
Chapter Forty-Six
The smoke detector had gone off six times in the last hour.
“It’s nothing!” Clark yelled from the kitchen, ducking around the corner, his face red.
Liv shook her head, covering her face from the smoke. “I’m certain you’re wrong, dear brother.”
“I just need to get the timing right for these crepes,” he replied.
“What is he doing?” Stefan asked, opening the long set of windows along the oversized balcony on the far side of Liv’s apartment to let out the smoke.
“He’s trying to burn down my place,” she answered.
“No, I mostly meant, why is he making crepes?”
“Oh,” Liv said, smiling at him. “It’s a quarter-life crisis. But on the bright side, he hasn’t been as uptight since he started cooking.”
Without her permission, Stefan grabbed her hand and led her out to where there was fresher air. She pulled her fingers away, strangely worried someone would see. There were only friends there right then. Sophia and Frank were watching cartoons, the little magician explaining to the dragon what was happening on the screen. Rory was in the corner, crocheting a baby’s blanket. John was brushing Pickles, babbling to him about future plans they had for spying on the Renegades. It appeared to be a one-sided conversation, but every now and then John paused as if listening to something the terrier said.
Still, Liv knew she and Stefan couldn’t chance things regarding their relationship. Yes, the Sinclairs were gone, but what if there were others who wanted to throw them out of the House? They couldn’t risk losing their positions. Things were finally starting to gain momentum.
Stefan turned, giving her a challenging look when they were out on the balcony. “How much longer until the Sweetwaters show up?”
That was why they had all gathered at her place that afternoon. Rudolf had called her, saying that he and Serena had a big announcement. Since everyone was pretty sure they knew what it was, they’d helped to decorate her walls with baby booties and pacifiers. Clark had made a teddy bear cake, and Sophia had created a ton of games with baby-related themes.
“Well, since he’s Rudolf, he could be here any time between now and next week,” Liv answered.
“Okay, well, that hopefully gives me enough time to tell you this,” Stefan said, his smile falling away.
Liv tensed. “What is it?”
Reluctance seemed to teeter back and forth in his eyes. “I fear the Dragon Elite know about Sophia and the egg.”
Liv didn’t know what that meant.
“Who? What? Why is that a problem?” she asked.
Stefan gave her a tender smile. “They recently sent an inquiry to the council. Raina intercepted it, burying it at the bottom of the stack.”
“Wow, the council’s organization is worse than mine. They need a secretary.”
Stefan nodded. “I hope you don’t mind, but I told Raina about Sophia. Honestly, I think she knew. I think she knows a lot more than she lets on.”
Liv didn’t have to guess what he meant. Stefan was referring to them. His sister knew, which meant this secret could affect more than just them. Everyone who hid it was liable. She blew out a breath. “The Dragon Elite, the organization that’s like the House?”
“Yes, but with a different scope of responsibility,” Stefan explained. “Anyway, most think they’ve died off or disappeared, but this message makes it clear that they haven’t.”
Liv had expected this. She’d felt it at her core. “So they know about Sophia and the egg? Why do you seem so serious?”
“Because,” he began, his eyes averting hers, “if they find her and the egg, well, they can take her.”
“Take her?” Liv yelled, gaining the attention of everyone inside.
She covered her fear, pretending to smile. “Take me to the movies! My God, Stefan, you know we can’t date,” she said, trying to cover her blunder. It seemed to work because most went back to what they were doing. Most, but not Sophia.
Stefan leaned close to Liv, his whispered voice brushing her cheeks. “Liv, she’s a dragon rider even before her egg hatches. That dragon telepathically talks to her. If they find her, she belongs to them from now until forever, just as you and I belong to the House.”
“But I’m allowed to have my own place and come and go freely,” Liv argued.
“Yes, but it’s different for the dragon riders,” Stefan stated. “They are hiding the presence of dragons from the rest of the world.”
“So they know about Sophia and Tom?” Liv asked.
“I think they can sense it,” Stefan stated. “The note said they felt a dragon who wasn’t at ease. You knew that one day, Sophia would have to leave.”
“I’m not ready for her to go yet,” Liv argued.
“I know,” he said thoughtfully. “That’s why we have to do something. At least until it’s really time for them to leave. When they are older. When they are ready. When you are. We just have to throw the Elite off for a little while.”
Liv nodded, grateful that Stefan knew exactly what she needed. She’d been so overwhelmed by Papa Creola’s mission and finding the Mortal Seven that she’d had little chance to devote to Sophia’s problem with the egg. “The dragon doesn’t like it here. They must sense that, which was how he got on their radar. Rory created an oasis for him, but I’ve got to get him there.”
“What can I do to help?” Stefan offered at once.
Liv couldn’t help but smile. He hadn’t hesitated. Raina had risked everything to help. She was crazy to not have trusted the Ludwigs from the beginning.
“You’re too good to me,” she said, shaking her head.
“No, I’m just good enough to you,” he argued.
“Tell me, Stefan Ludwig, what do you see in me?” she dared to ask.
“Well, I like fleeting things like sunsets, crisp autumn winds, and your patience,” he answered with a sideways smile.
Liv laughed. “Okay, that’s the best answer to that question I’ve ever heard.”
“It’s my truthful one. And again, what can I do to help? You’ve got to do something to ensure the Elite don’t come here yet.”
Liv knew he was right. Yes, Sophia and the dragon would join the Elite when he’d hatched and she was older, but she didn’t want to lose her sister yet. She had to stall things. Liv just needed a little more time. “I need to go to Texas to recruit some manpower, and by that, I mean a female giant.”
Stefan laughed. “Of course you do. Can I go with you?”
She knew she should say no. Every time she was close to him, her hands wanted to reach for Stefan Ludwig, but there was no one she worked with better. He was in all ways a true partner to her. “Yes,”
Liv found herself saying. “I’d love your help.”
Again without her permission, he reached out, grabbing her hand briefly and squeezing it. “Okay, then we set out soon.”
Liv suddenly felt lost in his eyes. His touch. She pulled him closer. He allowed it.
“They are here!” Clark yelled from the kitchen, making them break apart. “Get in here!” he called over the sudden beeping of the smoke detector.
Liv and Stefan filed into the living area as Rudolf and Serena entered, hugging everyone with excitement.
When the group was quiet, Rudolf looked at each face, bursting with excitement. “We have a big announcement to make.”
“Yes?” Liv asked, leaning forward.
“Well, the big news is that we’re expecting…” Rudolf’s smile spread across his face.
Assuming the rest of the sentence, the group around them began to clap, congratulating the couple.
“I’m so happy for you,” Liv said, hugging him. “Even if this means your breeding will create all sorts of other problems for me.”
Rudolf pulled away from her suddenly. “Breeding? What are you talking about?”
Liv gave him a sideways glance as everyone went quiet. “You said you were expecting?”
He nodded. “Yes, and I thought you all caught my drift. Everyone clapped.” Rudolf glanced around at the confused expressions. “Of course, I meant that we are expecting to merge with a huge conglomeration. They are going to help us take the protein bar and vegan supplement industry to the next level.”
Everyone around the table groaned.
“So you’re not pregnant?” Clark asked.
Rudolf clicked his tongue, shaking his head. “Oh, didn’t Liv explain to you that men can’t have babies? I was confused at first, too.”
Liv let out a long breath. “I think Clark was referring to you and Serena. You came here to announce that your business is leveling up?”
“Well, yeah,” Rudolf stated. “I thought you’d want to hear about it since we’re helping you to build bridges.”
“How so?” Liv asked.
“Well, the company we’re working with is owned by the elves,” Rudolf stated. “We’ll be having meetings with them regularly since they own half the shares.”
Liv turned to Stefan. “Didn’t they refuse to meet with us again?”
He nodded.
“But if we have a way in…”
“They might listen,” he said, finishing her sentence.
It was far from progress, but it was enough. “Congratulations,” Liv stated. “And as one of your chief advisors, I insist on being at those meetings.”
Rudolf nodded. “Okay, but just so you know, Rory will be there too, doing his boring accounting talk.”
“Boring? W-w-wait, what?” Liv asked, looking at the giant and Rudolf.
The fae seemed to realize he had let something slip. He ducked behind his wife, which didn’t do him any good since she was tiny, hardly blocking him at all.
“Rory, you’re an accountant?” Liv asked. “That’s what you’ve been hiding?”
As best as he could, the giant also ducked, hurrying from the room. “Yep. I’ll see you at the next board meeting, Warrior Beaufont.”
Liv was about to speed after him but decided it was best to let him go. She simply shook her head, realizing how fantastically strange and awesome her friends were. She could only imagine what other surprises they had in store.
Clark handed her a crepe filled with chocolate and covered in whipping cream, and she spied the smile on Sophia’s mouth as Pickles licked her face. Liv hoped that any more surprises waited for a day or two. She needed that time to just be with the ones she loved, enjoying them while she had the chance, before their dreams and dragons took them soaring off into the horizon.
Chapter Forty-Seven
“It’s better this way,” Talon urged as Kayla swept back and forth across the animal bones littering the floor. It had been hard to get her back into the House, but since she was still a Royal, she’d been allowed entry.
“But my cover is blown,” she argued, her white hair falling in her face.
“Which is good,” the ancient magician said. “Tell me, are you sure they think you’re dead?”
“Yes,” Kayla stated. “I killed a mortal and put her in my illusion’s place. Olivia Beaufont never even knew she wasn’t fighting me.”
Talon laughed, certain his voice was echoing through the House. There was nothing to be done about it. His power was growing, and this was part of it.
“This is perfect, then,” he stated. “Olivia Beaufont was watching you. Everyone was. Now you can work from the sidelines. They won’t be expecting what we’re going to do next. They think they are without obstacles.”
Kayla stopped, realization dawning on her face. “You’re right. Their guard will be down now.”
“Yes, and we don’t need to be on the council to hear what’s happening. I’m strong enough to spy on that on my own.”
“So you want me to go after the rest of the Mortal Seven?” Kayla asked.
Talon nodded, his sunbeam eyes rising and falling across her. “Yes, and also, I need to find Father Time. He’s escaped me yet again.”
“How will we finally catch him?” Kayla asked.
“You focus on the Mortal Seven,” the God Magician commanded.
“But Master, if there’s a way I can help—”
“You can’t!” Talon yelled, interrupting, realizing his voice had probably shaken the House. Calming himself, he took a seat in his throne, which was covered in crawling lizards and snakes. “I’ve awoken an evil with only one enemy.”
“Father Time?” Kayla asked.
The God Magician shook his head. “No, that gnome has many enemies, but none powerful enough to defeat him. However, I’ve awoken an enemy of someone he cares a great deal about.”
“And Father Time will come out of hiding to save them?” Kayla asked.
“That’s my hope,” Talon Sinclair stated, realizing he must be desperate to have awoken such an uncontrollable evil, one that he even feared could become too powerful if left unchecked.
Sarah’s Author Notes
July 21, 2019
Thank you to all of you for reading, supporting, being amazing, keeping me going and making me smile. Seriously. I get to do what I love and that’s because of you. It still surprises me when I read reviews and find out that you still like the books or that you enjoy the crazy storylines. I guess I still don’t think this is all real yet. I’m certain that I’m going to wake up soon and find none of this ever happened and no one has ever read one of my books.
So for the record, Michael is never ever going to tell me anything personal about him again. He and I were on video comm, coming up with the chimera idea. He related that when he was a kid, he shot this bird with a bb gun. I latched onto that with all my might, taunting him for being such a cruel child.
I’m pretty certain he told me I was “ridiculous” several times when I threatened to put this story into the book. And so we have the Mikey character from the Reynolds family who tried to get Harry, the chimera, with his bb gun.
I know that MA is not a mean person who goes around hurting animals. Quite the opposite. I’ll let him tell his bb gun story. I know it is marked by remorse. Really, I do like to tease him when I get a chance. I heckle Craig Martell when he’s on stage at conferences. You see, short people have to take their shots when we can. We’re obviously overcompensating for having to look up people’s noses all our lives. Seriously, all of you need to go out and get nose hair trimmers. There! I said it. Now you know.
My point, before I started ranting about nose hairs, was that I take inspiration from all over. MA told me his bird story and it inspired the cousin-bullying-relationship with Ireland Reynolds and his chimera. I seriously do this all the time. My hair stylist was the one who told me that her sister-in-law named her son Captain Jack Sparrow. I was like, that’s freaking gold. Oh, but it
gets better. When the kid was 5 years old, they let him rename himself Captain Christoff because he likes Frozen. Seriously, they had his name legally changed. I can’t make this stuff up! And so, I put it in the books. One day, Rudolf and Serena will have little Captain Crunch.
Anyway, thanks to MA for being a good sport. It was his idea about the chimera. He’s always encouraging me to include animals in the books, hence Plato. So he obvious likes animals. We all do naughty things growing up because we don’t yet understand. Well, not me. I was an angel who wrote poetry in my treehouse and rushed home well before curfew. There was this one time that I snuck into my mom’s room to spy on my birthday presents. There! That’s the one bad thing I did. Oh and breaking the plastic fork off in the lock to my mom’s room when she locked it so I couldn’t go in there to spy on stuff again. And I blamed it on my brother. But other than that, I never did anything bad. And my brother deserved it. He used to put me in a headlock on a regular basis and call me “runt”.
Okay, back to talking about animals. Plato, as many of you know, was inspired by my own kitty who I got for Lydia, named Finley. He’s black and white and has way more personality than any cat I’ve ever had and that’s saying a lot. The other day, I’m lying in bed at 5 o’clock in the morning, as I tend to do, convincing myself that I should get up since I can’t sleep, but then also telling myself that the floor is lava. Anyway, I’m having the daily debate in my head when I hear a cat scream. I jump out of bed (not caring suddenly about the lava), look out the window and see a coyote running around my fence. Finley then ran in through the cat door and hauled ass up the stairs. He hid under the bed for a while.
The coyote, as well as I can figure, was trying to get in through the fence and Finley stuck his paw through and bitch slapped the jerk. And then the wild animal bit his paw nearly off. It’s been a crazy and emotional ride but I firmly believe we’re better and stronger than ever. Finley was supposed to lose all of his paw, but it appears he’ll keep one toe, being my one-toed hooked pirate kitty. He’s had such an amazing attitude through the whole thing. And I had to take off about a week to nurse him back to health and take him to the vet every single day. Not a problem, just meant I had to really push to get this book done on schedule. I had to deal with blood and bits of flesh and explain things to Lydia that were difficult, but we all came away stronger and more bonded to each other.
