by Sarah Noffke
Liv covered the shiver tracing its way down her spine. “Then why can’t you find Sabatore?”
“It must be a part of the system of conversion,” Stefan said with a sigh. “I think I’m blocked from him.”
“Otherwise, everyone who was ever bitten would track down the demon who did it and get the antidote,” Liv guessed.
Stefan assented with a nod.
“But if you’ve been on the hunt for Sabatore while tracking down demons, why is there a rise in their numbers? I saw you kill that one the other night.”
Stefan ran his hands through his chaotic black hair, making it look much worse. “I’ve neglected my job in my attempts to find Sabatore. Yes, I’ve been going after some demons, but only specific ones who I think would know his whereabouts. That takes time. And it’s getting harder to kill them, as well. Sometimes… Well, sometimes, I don’t.”
“Tonight you didn’t seem to have a problem,” Liv said, trying to be encouraging. The melancholy dripping off the other Warrior was nearly suffocating her.
“You were there,” he admitted. “And it depends. I killed the demon in Amsterdam, but the day before, I let a few go, unable to finish the act.”
“Because it feels like you’re killing one of your own?” Liv guessed.
Stefan pushed her drink toward her with his forefinger. “Your drink is getting cold.”
She smirked at this and swallowed the rest, pouring them another round. “Hester knows. Does anyone else?”
Stefan raised an eyebrow. “That’s why in the library you asked me if I’d been bitten by something, isn’t it?”
“Yes, she let it slip to me,” Liv admitted.
His laugh broke the tension. “I kept wondering how you knew I’d been bitten. It definitely added to your mystery.” He leaned forward, looking across the table at her. “I believe you’ve been bitten on the leg by something. Care to elaborate on that one?”
“Damn kittens,” she said at once. “The little shits don’t know their own strength.”
Stefan laughed again. “And to answer your question, Hester is the only one who knows, besides you now. The Council can’t know. No one can. If they did, well, I’d be…”
Liv lowered her chin, giving him an intense stare. “I know you think I’m going to infer the rest of that sentence, but it’s incredibly important that you finish it. We can’t have any confusion on this subject.”
“Liv, protocol dictates that when a magician is bitten, they are ‘disposed of.’”
There was that word the Council loved to use: dispose. It was a polite way of saying “kill.”
“I don’t understand how they could do that when you obviously haven’t turned,” Liv argued, heat flaring in her chest. “You have time, don’t you? To find Sabatore and create the antidote?”
“Maybe. I mean, yes. I hope so.” Stefan didn’t sound at all sure of himself. “But I won’t deny the logic. The demon’s impulses are getting stronger. I’m able to control them, but I’m not sure how much longer that will last. And like I said, there is no way to know when I’ll turn. It could be fast or gradual.”
The man sitting across the table from Liv didn’t resemble the demons they’d slain in Florida. His cheeks were flushed with color, and there was passion radiating from his eyes. However, if the demon’s venom circulated in his blood, it was only a matter of time until he changed into a beast full of evil intent and malice.
“So you need help finding Sabatore,” Liv stated.
Adamantly, Stefan shook his head. “No, I need you to stay out of this.”
“Too late,” she argued. “I’m already in it.”
“Liv, the reason I went with you tonight is that you don’t belong fighting demons. It’s not a pleasant job, and the risks are high. I figured if I helped you with this case, you could return to the Council and they’d give you something different; something more in line with your talents.”
“Although I appreciate the sentiment, I’m a little tired of everyone telling me what I should be doing.”
“I didn’t mean it that way,” he cut in.
“You did, but let’s move on from that. You need help,” Liv countered. “And I have Bellator, which makes my job fighting demons easier.”
“Bellator?” Stefan rolled the word around in his mouth, something sparking to the surface. “The sword you bought off the guy at the flea market—”
“Leonard,” Liv supplied.
“Right, Leonard at the flea market sold you a sword named Bellator, which means ‘warrior’ in Latin,” Stefan said.
“Yeah. Totally strange and awesomely random, huh?”
He nodded. “Uncanny, really. You’ll have to take me to this market where you find such treasures.”
“It’s closed until spring.”
Stefan snapped his fingers. “Damn my luck.”
“Speaking of your luck,” Liv began, “I’ve agreed to help you track down Sabatore.”
The light expression dropped from his face. “No. I don’t want your help.”
“Stefan, this really isn’t about you,” Liv said, leaning forward. “Tell me, who replaces you if you become a demon?”
He hadn’t expected the strange misdirection. “Well, no one. There are no other eligible Ludwigs in line to take the role of Warrior.”
Liv nodded, having sensed this. “That means Raina would be booted off the Council. I’m sure Adler will have her replaced by someone more like Bianca and Lorenzo, who vote the way he wants them to. So, as you can see, this really isn’t about saving your ass as much as keeping Raina, your lovely sister, in her current position.”
His eyes danced with a hidden grin. “Well, when you put it that way…the answer is still no.”
Liv knew the rules of reciprocation. It was how relationships worked. All she had to do was play this exactly right to get what she wanted: his consent. Because honestly, she was going to hunt down Sabatore whether or not Stefan agreed to it. She still wasn’t sure, but after their day together, she sensed he was a good person. Magicians like him didn’t deserve to become demons, preying on the weak and innocent. That would tear his already tarnished soul to pieces. That was the reason she made the impromptu decision.
“I was bitten by a lophos,” she said in a rush.
Whatever Stefan was expecting Liv to say next, it wasn’t that. He blinked at her in surprise. “How the hell did you encounter one of those? I thought they were incredibly rare.”
“They are,” she affirmed, then told him bits and pieces of the canister story.
When she concluded, he drummed his fingers on his lips, a speculative expression in his blue eyes. “Okay, you can help me.”
“Wait, what?” Liv asked. “That’s it? You aren’t curious, or have questions or insights or anything?”
“Oh, I have all of that. Well, no insights, actually,” Stefan said. “However, I think you’re on to something. I’ve been suspicious since we were invited into the House of Seven, but I’ve never found anything like this. I’m going to accept your help in tracking down Sabatore, but in return, I want to help you.”
Liv considered him for a moment. “I’m not asking for your help.”
He grinned. “And I didn’t ask for yours.”
“Well played,” she said.
“Honestly, I’m not sure what help I can provide,” he stated. “I’m more of a Warrior than you.”
Offense jumped to Liv’s face. “I may be new, but—”
He held up his hand, pausing her. “Liv, Warriors are soldiers sent to do the Council’s bidding. That’s not you, though. You act on your own, and figure out things for yourself. You’re more of a detective than a brute force, which I’d wager to say makes you more dangerous than the strongest of us.”
Liv relaxed, softening her face. “Fine. Nice save.”
“Now, I don’t suppose that while we’re building all these bridges, you’re going to tell me why you stole that sword from the Natural History Museum?” Stefan asked.
Liv finished her drink and grinned. “Sure. I have a liking for antiques.”
Chapter Thirty-Three
It was obvious from the moment Liv stepped through the Door of Reflection that most of the Council were surprised to see her. If anyone was curious what she was carrying, they hid it well. She took her place next to Stefan, careful to keep her eyes focused ahead.
As usual, Adler paused the lecture he was giving to regard Liv with mild contempt. “Ms. Beaufont, why are you here? The demon case—”
“It’s done,” she said simply, interrupting Adler. It was their thing. A cute little game they played.
Adler let out an audible sigh. “Ms. Beaufont, it takes Warriors weeks to track down demons, maybe even longer in your case since you’re inexperienced. You can’t expect the Council to believe you hunted down three demons all by yourself in a couple of days, do you?”
“Call it beginners’ luck.” Liv tossed the bag of demon heads into the middle of the chamber floor. They rolled out, their black eyes looking up at the Council. Bianca shrank back, as did the white tiger. Adler and Haro leaned over the bench, staring down at the heads as the crow swooped down, pecking one of the demons in the eye.
“Ms. Beaufont, are you making a mockery of these meetings?” Adler asked.
“I do believe you doubted whether Liv had in fact completed the case,” Clark said, his tone laced with pride. “She’s only providing proof.” He looked at Hester and then Raina. “That seems perfectly reasonable to us, doesn’t it? Considering that she completed the case in record time, and there would be skepticism on our part without such proof.”
Hester agreed with a nod. “I don’t think there is any way we can doubt Warrior Beaufont now.”
“How?” Adler said with a growl, his eyes narrowed on Liv.
She rocked forward on her toes and back on her heels. “I cut off their heads.”
This seemed to make him fume more. “No, how did you track down three demons in the middle of southern Florida so fast?”
“Well, although everything in Florida smells pretty bad, demons are the worst, so I followed my nose,” Liv stated. “And I found a few tracking spells that sped up the timeframe. Oh, and they were really hungry, so I bought a herd of goats from a rancher to use as bait.”
“Goats?” Bianca questioned.
“Yeah,” Liv answered. “They are these farm animals. Some have horns. These didn’t, because they were baby goats. Don’t worry, none were harmed in the slaying of the demons.”
“I know what goats are, Olivia, I was simply questioning why you’d use them on this case,” Bianca said, her expression severely pinched.
“Because my name is Liv,” she said dryly, so tired of correcting her on this one.
“It was a good idea,” Hester said at once. “Although not common knowledge, goats are good bait for hungry demons.”
Liv hadn’t known that bit of uncommon knowledge until Stefan had shared it with her while they were planning how this whole thing would go down. He’d told her that most of the Council wouldn’t believe she’d slaughtered the three demons on her own so quickly, so they’d constructed a scenario no one could doubt.
“Well, it appears that you, Mr. Ludwig, could take a page out of Ms. Beaufont’s book,” Alder said, leaning back as he grimaced at the crow pecking at the demon head. “Maybe if you were doing your job better, the rise in the demon population wouldn’t be happening.”
Stefan nodded. “Yes, sir. I’ll work harder to control it.”
“You do that,” Adler said, scrolling through his tablet. “I guess you’re ready for a new case, Ms. Beaufont. We had something come in today that would suit you, and although the Council hasn’t voted on it, I’m sure they’ll all agree it’s perfect for you and—”
“I want to keep hunting demons,” Liv interrupted.
All of the councilors looked up at Liv, surprise evident in their stares. Clark was the one leaning forward the farthest. He looked like he was about to topple over the bench.
“It’s just that I am good at it, and there’s a need,” Liv stated. “And maybe if Stefan and I tackle them together—”
“I assure you that’s not necessary,” Stefan said, injecting ego into his voice.
“I only meant that there is so much a newbie demon hunter could learn from you,” Liv said.
While the Council considered this, Hester gave Liv a discriminating stare that said, “Do you know what you’re doing?” She knew Liv was partnering with a magician who could turn into a demon at any moment, putting her at ultimate risk, but the councilor also knew that if Sabatore wasn’t caught, Stefan would be lost forever.
Stefan turned and gave Liv a contemptuous glare. “You’ll only slow me down.”
“Stefan,” Raina scolded from the bench.
Adler held out his hand, seeming to enjoy this. “Actually, after what we’ve learned today, it appears that you, Warrior Ludwig, would be the one to slow her down. How many demons have you slain this month? Two?”
“Two and a half,” Stefan corrected.
Adler raised a discerning eyebrow. “How is there a half?”
“I severely injured one,” Stefan explained. “I think it will be easy to track it down and finish it off.”
“Well, good,” Adler said, looking pleased. “I think that Ms. Beaufont’s help will be what you need here. Maybe get you out of your rut.”
Stefan glared at Liv, doing an excellent job of looking like he hated her very existence. “I work alone.”
“You work with who we assign you,” Adler stated.
He probably thought that he’d be getting rid of two nuisances at once, not even realizing he was being played.
“I don’t particularly want you in my sandbox either,” Liv told the Warrior.
“Fine, then we’ll hunt demons separately,” Stefan said with a tired sigh, his arms behind his back and his chin lifted.
“You will do it together,” Adler said with finality.
Liv grunted with disapproval.
Stefan lowered his eyes.
Adler cast his eyes left and right down the bench, checking for agreement. “All in favor?”
The councilors all consented, Hester showing the least enthusiasm.
Liv could hardly believe they’d played the Council so well. Maybe she and Stefan Ludwig would make a good team after all.
Chapter Thirty-Four
“Well, that settles it,” Rory said, deboning a salmon as the kittens mewed at his feet. “You've lost your damn mind.”
“What do you mean?” Liv asked, checking the dining room when she heard a noise. It was only Junebug crawling into a teacup on the dining room table. Spread across the surface was a floral print tablecloth. On top of it was a polished silver tray that held a teapot, creamer, sugar, and a tray of cookies. “Why does it look like you’re about to have the queen over for afternoon tea?”
“What?” Rory called from the kitchen. “Oh, that? I always have that sitting out. It’s decoration.”
Liv lifted the lid off the teapot, steam rising from it. “And you always have freshly brewed tea, too. That’s impressive.”
“It’s nothing,” Rory said. “I just like to have some tea sometimes.”
Liv observed that there were two place settings at the table and shook her head. “Are the kittens joining you? If so, you need to set out some extra teacups.”
Rory shook his head at her when she reentered the kitchen. “The kittens are having salmon. They don’t drink tea.”
“Right,” Liv said, drawing out the word. “Thanks for clarifying. And you do realize that stores sell these cans of food? Cats love it, and it’s easier than deboning fish.”
Rory grimaced. “You don’t feed that stuff to Plato, do you?”
“He likes it,” she argued.
“He just doesn’t know any better.”
Liv rolled her eyes. “Plato has been around a lot longer than me, and he knows what he likes. If he wants so
mething different, I suspect he’ll tell me or go get it himself.”
He shook his head at her, using his shoulder to push the hair out of his eyes. “You still misunderstand so much about lynxes.”
“It’s hard to learn much from the book about him,” Liv stated. “At first it wasn’t so bad, because every time I opened it, somehow it was on that chapter dealing with lynxes. However, now when I crack open the book, it’s always a different chapter, and I can’t find the one on lynxes.”
“That’s because the book tries to tell you what you need to know about most,” Rory explained. “At first you didn’t need to know that much, but with your growing responsibilities and challenges, your knowledge base needs to expand.”
“So what do I misunderstand about lynxes?” Liv asked, thinking back to the wetlands in Florida and firmly believing that if it hadn’t been for Plato’s strange warning, the demon might have taken her out.
“You’re his human,” Rory said, sliding the bones into the trash and arranging the fish on a decorative plate. “A lynx only attaches itself to one human at a time. The scope of their world becomes his, so even if he can go off to eat the finest foods in Paris or wherever, if that’s too far from you, he won’t risk it. He’ll confine himself to your vicinity and eat the junk you feed him because that’s part of your world.”
“For someone who seems to loathe Plato, you just said a lot of things to the contrary,” Liv stated.
“I never said there weren’t some redeeming qualities to lynxes,” Rory reasoned. “It’s only that you must ask yourself why he’s attached himself to you. At their core, lynxes are self-serving. They hide the truth and guard secrets.”
Liv couldn’t argue with any of that. These had been her concerns about Plato, but she wasn’t getting rid of him, no matter what. For whatever reason, her instinct told her to trust him the same way she had with John when they’d met, and now Rory. And maybe even Stefan. If everyone were as pure and perfect as little Sophia then choosing to trust them wouldn’t be so hard, but as people grew up, things weren’t so black and white. Liv hoped she and Sophia always had a relationship where the trust was blind and the bond unwavering. It was the easiest part of her life. She never doubted her loyalty to the little girl, or to Clark either, really. Familia Est Sempiternum.
