The Ferocious Force

by Sarah Noffke

  “But you said Jude’s attacks were purely mental?” Clark asked.

  “Yes, but what happens to the mind can influence the body,” Trudy explained.

  Clark had many questions running through his mind but was cut off by the flapping of wings as Diabolos awoke in Hester’s arms. The crow took off at once, flying over to where Jude now sat next to the bench. He landed next to the white tiger and glanced up at him with a strange expression in his eyes, as if he were grateful to be beside a longtime friend again.

  Hester let out a sigh of relief. “Well, that will deplete me for the better part of the week. I haven’t had to bring back anything so powerful in…well, I do believe this was a first.”

  Trudy offered her sister her arm. “Please let me take you up to your room.”

  Hester shook her off. “I’m fine for now. I have many questions for you, though, Councilor Beaufont.”

  Clark gulped. There would be so many questions. He wished Liv were awake to help him answer them. To explain. But she was still peacefully asleep on the floor of the chamber.

  “You were able to unregister your magic by yourself?” Hester asked.

  “Well, yes. But we had to—”

  “After hearing what happened to your family, I absolutely agree,” Hester stated.

  “And we would have come to the council with this information, but—”

  The healer shook her head. “I think we all know that it’s unsafe and unwise to voice our concerns about such things openly. You were right to keep this a secret.”

  “Liv and I plan to—”

  In unison, both sisters adamantly shook their heads. “Please don’t tell us your plans. It’s better that we don’t know in case anything happens,” Hester said.

  “You’re not going to say anything to the council about this?” Clark asked, having trouble computing what was happening here. He knew Hester and Trudy were on their side, but it was also hard to trust anyone after all he’d learned.

  Trudy gave her sister a questioning look. “Say anything about what?”

  Hester shrugged. “I’m not sure. Do you think the chef is serving cucumber soup with dinner tonight?”

  Trudy thought for a moment. “I’m not sure, but I hope so. I could use something refreshing.”

  Hester rubbed her hands together as if she were trying to warm herself. “Oh, me too. Although if I were sleeping on the chamber floor right now, soup wouldn’t be what I needed when I awoke.”

  The sisters strode for the exit together. “Oh, really? What would you have, then?” Trudy asked in a loud voice.

  “I’m thinking cake. Maybe ice cream cake. Possible both ice cream and cake,” Hester replied.

  When they were at the Door of Reflection, Hester turned back to a bewildered Clark. “I do wish we could help you more, Councilor, but something tells me that the Beaufonts are the only ones who can save us from what happens next.”

  Trudy elbowed her sister in the side. “I prefer not to be called ‘something.’”

  Hester nodded. “I know you do. My apologies.” She disappeared through the Door of Reflection a moment later.

  Trudy glanced thoughtfully at Liv before offering Clark a sympathetic expression. “I’ve seen the future play out many different ways recently. It always turns to black if anyone but a Beaufont intervenes. I hope you know we’d help if we thought it would make a difference.”

  The warrior disappeared through the Door of Reflection, and Clark knew she was right. His ancestors had ensured that the Beaufonts didn’t forget the truth. That was their role in all this, whether one thought of it as a blessing or a curse, and therefore, no one but a Beaufont could finish this.

  He and Liv might die trying to do what came next, but they were going to do it together.

  This ended with them.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Liv was seconds away from chucking Clark across the room.

  “Didn’t Hester say I should have cake and ice cream?” she asked, shoving the chicken noodle soup away.

  “Yes,” he said, wiping his hands on the apron tied around his waist. “But we have to think about nutrition as well as magical reserves. One might go up, but the other one down if you’re not careful.”

  Liv grimaced at the floor. “Why is it that everyone keeps lecturing about my diet lately?”

  “Maybe it’s because we’re worried about your choices,” Clark said, indicating the still-full glass of water on the tray over her lap.

  “Yes, I plan on drinking that. As soon as you give me something proper it can wash down,” Liv stated, sitting up taller in her bed. That was where she’d found herself that morning. She’d expected to find long claw marks down her back, but there hadn’t been any. Then Clark had appeared with an inadequate tray of food and an explanation that involved Hester and Trudy, who was apparently a seer.

  “Fine,” Clark stated. “What do you want to eat?”

  “Ice cream,” Liv said definitively.

  “Liv, it’s morning,” he argued as Sophia showed up, peeking around the doorframe.

  “Yes, ice cream for breakfast is a fantastic idea,” Liv said. “Make it two bowls, one for me and one for Sophia. Unless you want to join us. We’re eating them in bed. Maybe with our shoes on in bed. Oh, and I’m not going to wash my hands either.”

  Clark rolled his eyes and stomped out of the room.

  Sophia slipped around the doorframe, covering her grin until Clark was gone. Then she allowed the giggle to spill from her mouth. “He’d be so mad at you right now if you weren’t laid up in bed.”

  Liv shook her head. “You’re welcome. You get to benefit from my predicament. Have you ever had ice cream for breakfast?”

  “No, usually Clark makes me eat oatmeal without any sugar and a green smoothie that tastes like dirty feet.”

  Grimacing, Liv said, “Well, not today. Or tomorrow, even. Life is too short to eat things that make us want to gag.”

  “He says that I’ll live longer if I eat those things, though.”

  “Sure, you’ll live longer, but what’s the point?” Liv reasoned. She patted the spot next to her in the bed. “Come on. Let’s cuddle up, and you can tell me what you’ve been up to while I’ve been on boring adventures.”

  Sophia smiled. “I know you’ve been doing crazy, death-defying stuff.”

  “I faced a magical tiger who did crazy stuff to my head but apparently nothing to my body,” Liv corrected. “What about you and Morgan? What’s new with you two?”

  Sophia took the spot next to Liv in the bed, seeming to relish in the opportunity to cuddle. “His name isn’t Morgan.”

  “Oh, really?” Liv asked. “I thought you were going with a traditional name for the dragon? Simon, maybe? Donald, possibly? Or even George?”

  Sophia pulled the covers over her head when Clark reentered, carrying a tray with two bowls of ice cream, a reluctant expression on his face. “You know, although you’re recovering from magical depletion, Soph isn’t.”

  Liv took the bowl he offered her and passed it to her little sister. “No, she’s only a child, and you know how many times you get back the chance to be young again? Oh, wait.”

  He shook his head, a disapproving expression on his face. “I’m only trying to look out for—”

  “Our best interests,” Liv said, cutting him off as she took the other bowl on the tray. “I totally appreciate that. But would you mind going to get me another serving of ice cream?”

  His brow furrowed. “You haven’t finished that one yet.”

  “I know, but I will, and then I’ll be hungry.” Liv gave Sophia a questioning expression. “How am I when I get hungry?”

  Sophia stuck a large spoonful of chocolate ice cream into her mouth. “You don’t want to know. It’s awful.”

  “Liv…” Clark said, a warning in his voice.

  “It’s like I turn into a white tiger and maul people, although I get that you wouldn’t know what that’s like since you were protected by some
one in the chamber,” Liv said casually.

  “Oh, fine,” Clark said, defeat heavy in his tone as he stomped for the exit.

  Sophia and Liv giggled as they shoveled more ice cream into their mouths. It did make her feel better, but what was actually healing her was being there with her sister and brother. She and Clark had done what they set out to do. Their magic was unregistered. Their tracks were covered. And they were that much closer to stopping Adler Sinclair. She just had to find him.

  The anywhere pad Rory had given her lay beside her bed. It lit up suddenly, gaining both girls’ attention. Sliding her bowl onto her lap, Liv pulled the pad to her. Rory had sent her a message.

  We have the Forgotten Archives.

  “Forgotten Archives?” Sophia asked, peering over Liv’s shoulder. She swore the little girl was getting bigger every single day. Soon she’d be taller than her, which wouldn’t take much.

  “Yeah, same question here.” Liv pulled her pen from the bedside table.

  What are the Forgotten Archives?

  That’s the lost history. Activating the book will make it so mortals and magical creatures remember the correct history.

  Cool, Liv wrote. Activate it.

  We can’t, Rory replied. Not until mortals can see magic again.

  “Of course,” Liv said with a growl.

  “Ask him if he’s okay,” Sophia said.

  “Well, he’s writing me notes, so I think that it implies he’s okay, or at least not dead,” Liv replied.

  “Still ask him,” Sophia encouraged.

  Liv nodded and wrote: How are you and Mum?

  A minute later, a message appeared.

  Tell Sophia we’re fine and thanks for asking, although Mum says you should call her Mrs. Laurens.

  Liv laughed. “Can’t fool that woman, can I?” She pulled the anywhere pad closer.

  Is Decar still after you? Do you need help?

  Rory answered after a short pause.

  Yes, he’s after us, but we don’t need your help.

  Are you sure? I’m not doing anything right now.

  Sophia giggled, taking a large spoonful of melting ice cream.

  Sometimes we rely on you too much, Liv, Rory’s reply said. You’ve gotten us this far. This mission is one we must complete on our own, for you.

  “Oh, that’s so sweet,” Sophia gushed.

  Liv thought for a moment.

  Is that what Mrs. Laurens told you to say to keep me away? She doesn’t want me there annoying her, does she?

  And here I thought I was being diplomatic, Rory replied.

  Okay, well, be safe, and knock Decar out, Liv wrote, not wanting to go into the full story on a magical pad of paper. She’d have to tell Rory in person what she’d learned about the Sinclairs. Still, it was impossible not to worry about him and Bermuda.

  We will. I’ll see you soon, Rory stated.

  Sounds good. Don’t die, she replied as Clark re-entered the room, holding a tray with a single bowl of ice cream.

  “You haven’t even eaten the first bowl I got for you,” Clark whined. “This one is going to be melted by the time you get to it.”

  Liv nodded, scooting over in the bed. “Then it seems like you better get in here and eat it for me.”

  Clark gave her an indignant expression that said, “You can’t be serious.”

  She patted the place beside her. “Come on. When was the last time you had anything fun for breakfast that wasn’t loaded with fiber and tasted like cardboard?”

  “Liv…” he said, seeming to try to restrain his patience.

  “Clark…” she replied, matching his tone. “You only live once. Will you please indulge your sisters and curl up and eat breakfast in bed? We really don’t ask for a lot.”

  He glanced down at his attire. “But I’m wearing—”

  “Incredibly starched clothes,” Liv interrupted. “They will survive lounging in a bed for a half-hour.”

  “A half-hour?” he asked incredulously.

  “Oh, yes, Clark Beaufont,” Liv said, taking the tray from his hands. “You’re going to lounge and eat ice cream for at least a half-hour. If I had a television, we’d also be watching cartoons.”

  “Why do you not have a television?” Sophia asked.

  “Firstly, I’m too busy to watch anything,” Liv said, pulling Clark down next to her. Thankfully he allowed it, although he kept his shoes to the side, off the mattress. “And also, I’ve been looking for the perfect time to get one.”

  Liv wrinkled her nose, trying to think of exactly what she wanted. A moment later, she pointed at the wall across from her bed. The perfect-sized flat screen television appeared on the wall, hung at the right height.

  “I’m guessing this was the perfect time, then?” Clark asked, sitting rigidly next to her.

  She handed him the bowl of ice cream and nodded. “Yes, and if you don’t eat this, it will melt, and you’ll be on the naughty list for the rest of your life.”

  “Liv…”

  “Clark, we have so much left to do. We have bad guys to defeat and wounds to heal and people to save. If what Trudy said is true, then it’s us who has to fix this. So for right now, let the Beaufonts just enjoy some rare time together where we can pretend we’re just kids.”

  “Hey!” Sophia grunted, drawing attention to her.

  “Or just be kids,” Liv corrected.

  Clark actually smiled, picking up his spoon dripping with ice cream. “Yeah, I guess you’re right. To the Beaufonts.”

  Liv and Sophia clanked their spoons against his before they all took a bite, snuggling together as they’d never been able to do before.

  Because even heroes needed a day off. That way, they could rise up and stomp out an evil that had been allowed to exist for entirely too long.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  The loneliness was close to biting Adler Sinclair in half. Being by himself in the facility on the Matterhorn was taking its toll.

  He missed having Indikos being beside him. It wasn’t that the two got along exceptionally well or understood each other. He’d actually struggled for years to understand what the miniature dragon needed. However, he liked to know that Indikos was there. It made him feel protected.

  Currently, the howling wind reminded Adler that he was on the top of this dangerous mountain by himself. The electricity flickered regularly, making his job even more difficult.

  He didn’t need the electricity to power the signal. It was fueled by magic tech. And he didn’t need electricity for the upgrade he was doing, but he needed light to focus.

  “This is the worst place in the world,” Adler fired, throwing the tool in his hand across the room. He couldn’t think of a more awful place to be, but soon, he could leave the revolting place. Olivia Beaufont wouldn’t be able to stay away; he was sure of it. She’d come after him, and when she did, he’d be ready. Then he could finish her off and be done with the Beaufonts once and for all. It was all coming to an end, and not at all too soon.

  Adler was tired of this ongoing battle. Talon should have had a more decisive win when he defeated the mortals. He should have. If he had done it the way Adler would have, this wouldn’t have been a problem.

  The God Magician had always thought Father Time was the biggest obstacle to his success, keeping him from rising to full power and living without restriction for eternity. However, he was wrong. It had been mortals, and Adler knew it.

  Soon they would no longer be a problem.

  He pulled away from the giant piece of magic tech that Talon had invented centuries ago. It was incredible, broadcasting a signal that kept mortals from seeing magic. And soon it would do so much more.

  Using his finger and things he’d learned from his great-great-grandfather, Adler fused wires together using his magic. When the job was complete, he sat back, wondering if he’d done what he thought he had.

  Taking a deep breath, he put in the code that would implement the changes he’d made. It was impossible for him
to know from where he sat if it had worked. For that, he’d need eyes on the ground.

  He pulled his phone from his pocket, knowing the signal would work even though he was in the middle of nowhere, or, as Talon had called it, the beginning of the end. The Matterhorn was the place the God Magician had deduced was the best to disrupt the magical source of energy connected to mortals.

  And what better place from which to end them all?

  The phone rang three times before the person on the other end picked up.

  “I’ve activated the signal with the upgrades,” Adler said.

  “What would you have me do, Master?” the woman on the other side of the line asked.

  He huffed with frustration. “What do you think? Keep an eye on mortals worldwide. Note and document any widespread changes.”

  “Changes, sir?” she asked.

  “Epidemics,” he stated.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  “Rudolf just had to go off and get married,” Liv said, hopping around on one foot, trying to find her other high heel. It was difficult to see the floor with the long dress dragging all over it.

  “I don’t think you mind him getting married as much as that he made you his best man,” Sophia said, sitting on the edge of Liv’s bed and kicking her feet back and forth as she watched her dig under the dresser for the missing shoe.

  “Yes, that’s exactly the part I mind.” Liv grunted, reaching blindly under the dresser and feeling around. “I’m not meant to go to these kinds of events and wear uncomfortable clothes and make small talk with annoying fae.”

  “Be careful, or you’re going to mess up your hair,” Sophia cautioned.

  “Then I just won’t be able to go,” Liv said with a shrug.

  “You have to go,” Sophia squealed. “You look like a movie star.”

  Victorious, Liv pulled her other high heel out from under the dresser. She slipped it on and took her spot in front of the full-length mirror. Sophia was right. Liv didn’t look at all like herself. She did in fact appear like she was about to walk down the red carpet at some fancy event in her tight-fitting ball gown with its long train. The greens and pinks changed depending on the light or the room or some other factor Liv couldn’t figure out, and the flowers had stopped blooming long enough for her to get ready, which was good because they made it even harder to move around.