Unstoppable Liv Beaufont Boxed Set

by Sarah Noffke

  If running had been an option, Liv would have done it, putting as much distance between her and the person at her back as possible. However, she was in a cave, with potentially a lot of dead ends ahead of her. Not only that, but she was pretty sure one of her legs was longer than the other since she was still changing back, making running on the rocky shore difficult and also dangerous. And she wasn’t sure she could make a portal with her heart beating as rapidly as it was.

  Therefore she reluctantly turned to face Bermuda Laurens. Liv wasn’t sure at first that she’d heard the voice correctly, with the ocean winds howling past her ears. However, when she turned, she confirmed what she’d expected.

  With her hands on her hips and an unsatisfied expression on her face, Bermuda regarded her with ultimate contempt.

  “What exactly are you doing here?” the giant asked. There was still dirt smeared on her chin.

  Liv couldn’t even imagine how ridiculous she looked right then, halfway between her form and Decar Sinclair’s. She smiled meekly, but it probably looked very wrong on her face. “So, funny story—”

  “I don’t want a story,” Bermuda said, cutting her off. “That’s what magicians tell others when they want to deceive them. Tell me the truth, Warrior Beaufont.”

  “The council was going to send Decar Sinclair to discuss the treaty with Chief Dag,” Liv began in a rush. “However, I knew that if he came to the Isle of Man, he’d sense Turbinger, creating even more problems for us, especially because you didn’t tell anyone that it’s been recovered. And in not doing so, conveniently forgot to mention to anyone that I recovered it. That made it pretty impossible for me to go on this goodwill mission, since the giants would have never allowed me entry. And worst of all, Decar would have come here and caused more problems, killing more innocent magical creatures. So Rory came up with the idea that I’d come disguised as Decar, who the giants will strangely deal with. The plan was to get the treaty declined formally by Chief Dag so the giants got to live in peace without interference from magicians for another hundred years. And now the mission is accomplished, and the giants are safe, along with Turbinger.”

  Bermuda regarded the Warrior for a long few moments, her eyes searching Liv’s. “Are you looking for a thank you?”

  “Mostly I’m just hoping that you’ll quit treating me like I’m an awful reject,” Liv dared to say.

  “If you’re doing all this to win my boy’s heart, it won’t work.”

  Liv couldn’t stop the laugh that burst from her mouth. “Did you think… Oh, my god, Rory and me? You’ve got to be kidding.”

  “He’s the best catch the likes of you could hope for,” Bermuda stated.

  “He’s my friend,” Liv argued.

  “Magicians don’t have giants as friends,” Bermuda said. “They use them, and discard of them when they are done.”

  “Although I know you have had many experiences that would make you believe that, it’s not true for Rory and me,” Liv objected. “He’s helping me. Well, we’re helping each other. We want to find out what the House of Seven has been covering up and fix things.”

  “I’ve held Turbinger, and know that what you seek to fix is impossible,” Bermuda said. She took a step forward, making Liv take a step back.

  “How can uncovering forgotten history be impossible?” Liv asked. “All we need is evidence. This is just the beginning of the search. There are many places left to look.”

  Bermuda shook her head of soft brown curls. “Because it’s been buried too long. I tried at one point while I was writing my book, and it didn’t end well.”

  “What?” Liv asked in disbelief, noticing that the tide was rising. It would lock them in the cave if they weren’t careful, slowing drowning them. “You know about all this?”

  Bermuda nodded, scorn flashing in her eyes. “I knew that something wasn’t right. I started poking around, and my poor husband Gabe, Rory’s father, paid the price.”

  “How is that?” Liv asked.

  “The giants believe his transport stone malfunctioned,” Bermuda explained as the water rushed over her ankles. “That’s what Rory believes too, and I have no evidence to the contrary. However, I believe that the House of Seven was behind Gabe’s death. I’d been warned when I was doing my research to leave certain things alone. Hints had been dropped, but I didn’t listen. When Gabe died, I finally did. Somethings aren’t worth uncovering, not at the expense of losing those most valuable to you.”

  “But don’t you see?” Liv argued. “Whatever they are covering up, whatever they don’t want us to find, we have to do it, no matter what. Others will come after us and try, and meet the same intimidation.”

  “No, Warrior Beaufont, because this ends here,” Bermuda said. “I hold Turbinger. Without it, no one will know what you know.”

  “But I know!” Liv yelled. “I’m not going to forget, and I’m not giving up. Too many have been killed over this. My parents. My siblings. Your husband. Who knows who else?”

  A tragic expression overwhelmed Bermuda’s face. “I was once like you, wanting to change the world. It’s why I wrote Mysterious Creatures.” She laughed, but the sound held no joy. “I thought I could save the world, but this is much too big. You’re better off moving on. Resign from the House, and go off and live a wasteful magician’s life. I’d advise against breeding, but your type rarely listens to me on that one.”

  “I’m not stepping down from the House,” Liv stated adamantly. “It’s my birthright. The Beaufonts were one of the first families.”

  Bermuda sighed heavily. “And that pride will make you one of the last to survive. Whatever they are hiding isn’t worth losing everything over.”

  Liv stomped, then realized she was back to normal. Seawater splashed her face. “I’ve already lost everything!”

  Bermuda shook her head. “No. That’s the thing—there is always more to lose. I believe I was spared from being murdered because, unfortunately for the House of Seven and other magicians, they can’t deny that I hold certain knowledge that shouldn’t die out just yet. I’ve been asked to document it, as I did in Mysterious Creatures, but I know all too well that I would be signing my death warrant. I will not be writing another book, so hopefully, I’ll survive long enough to meet my grandkids one day. However, I’ve been secretly warned that digging in places where I don’t belong will result in more deaths.”

  Liv gasped, realizing she was referring to Rory. “So you gave up the search to protect him?”

  “And you will too,” Bermuda said, the water up to her calves now.

  Liv shook her head furiously. “I won’t give up. Have you told Rory this? Maybe he would help you. Maybe he doesn’t want you to give up for him.”

  “My son sees things better than most, but he wouldn’t understand. You wouldn’t understand the sacrifices that a mother makes to keep her child alive,” Bermuda said.

  Liv couldn’t argue with that, but she knew that she wanted her little sister to grow up in a world different from this one. She wanted equality for all. She wanted justice served in the House of Seven. She wanted Sophia Beaufont’s position as Warrior to mean something, and how could that happen if there was a truth buried so deep that no one knew exactly what they were fighting for anymore?

  “Olivia Beaufont, I can’t allow you to put my son in danger by dragging him into this.”

  “My name is Liv. And what if he wants to be involved in this?”

  A surge of water rushed past Bermuda’s knees. “If you’ve convinced him to join you, then he isn’t thinking straight. Both of you must abandon this.”

  “No!” Liv yelled, her voice echoing in the cave. “Don’t you see? If we give up after they’ve taken so much, then they’ve won. You’ve already lost your husband. I’ve lost my parents and sister and brother. We’re exactly in the position to find out the truth. Otherwise, they will all have died for nothing.”

  Bermuda’s great weight was swayed by the rushing tide that was pouring into the cave.


  Liv knew that the giant could turn around and swim back out of the cave, but that option was fading fast. They would soon be stuck, and they both knew it. This was the best possible situation in Liv’s opinion because, more than anything, she needed Bermuda Laurens on her side, even if she was almost forced to be there.

  Daring to put her back to the giant, Liv opened a portal. When it shone brightly, she turned back to Bermuda. “Come with me. Help us.”

  Rory’s mother considered this for a long moment, so long that the next wave nearly knocked Liv over. They had only seconds to get out of the cave before all options were gone.

  Liv didn’t turn back as she swam through the portal, landing in a heap on Rory’s lawn.

  He looked up with relief as she choked on the salt water she’d swallowed. However, his expression transformed into pure amazement when his mother fell through the portal, landing rather ungracefully next to them.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Since giants weren’t supposed to use portal magic, especially at Bermuda’s age, the giant fainted seconds after landing in Rory’s yard. Liv gave him a quick explanation, but she knew that he cared little why his mother was there and more about her well-being. Not wanting to be in the way, Liv left with a promise to check on them later. Rory didn’t seem to care when she returned. He doted on his mother, fanning her as she awoke in his lawn chair. If Liv hadn’t already been planning to get out of there, the ridiculously fierce scowl Bermuda offered her upon waking was a good motivator to hightail it out of there.

  “It just doesn’t make any sense,” Liv said, squinting at the electric can opener in front of her on the workbench.

  “Well, have you tried turning it off and back on?” Plato asked, sitting beside her.

  She rolled her eyes at him. “That’s how you fix a computer, and I’m not referring to the can opener.”

  “I’m not sure which part doesn’t make sense,” Plato said matter-of-factly. “People, no matter what race or species, will do anything to protect the ones they love. Bermuda felt intimidated.”

  “Yes, but what if whatever they are hiding puts everyone we love in more danger?”

  “Most people are pretty short-sighted,” Plato stated.

  “Did you hear what the giants said about the elves and Decar?” Liv asked, pushing the can opener aside. She had thought that fixing something would put her head straight, but it wasn’t working.

  Plato nodded. “Yes, that was disconcerting. Maybe Clark will know more about it.”

  Liv glanced up, appreciating the renovation that Clark had helped her implement in the shop. Well, he had done it all, but he had taught her how to do expansion magic in the process, which was nice. She was planning on practicing it on her apartment soon.

  The narrow shelves that used to be attached to the side of one wall were now an entry to a capacious storage area. The high shelves stretched down the shop for twenty feet, and they also rose to the ceiling. Thanks to a handy lift system, it was easy to retrieve things from up high.

  So far none of the customers had questioned the renovations because of the glamour Clark had applied to them. He’d also thrown a new coat of paint on the walls, magically speaking, and redone the flooring as well. The shop looked brand new, and the renovation had imbued John with an even happier demeanor.

  Liv heard him whistling in the back, and it made her smile. She knew he’d worried about her a lot more lately due to the magic, so anything she could do to make his life easier was good.

  Plato stretched, then stood up. “Well, I’d stay, but you’re about to get company. And I can’t stand this person.”

  Liv’s head jerked up. “Is it Adler? Decar? What would they be coming here for?”

  Plato shook his head. “No, those magicians are despicable, but this person is the absolute worst.”

  Liv’s brow furrowed. “Is it a demon?” she asked, her hand flying to Bellator, which was sitting out of view on a low shelf.

  “No, but he smells almost as bad,” Plato said, and disappeared as the door to the shop opened and Rudolf entered.

  Liv laughed, smelling the overwhelming cologne wafting off the fae.

  Rudolf laughed along with her like he hadn’t heard the joke but wanted to be involved.

  “What did you do to Plato to make him hate you so much?” Liv asked him as he sauntered forward, flipping the collar of his jacket up.

  Rudolf halted, sliding up sideways next to the table with a seductive look. “I explained to him why the lynx population is dying out.” He cupped his hand to his mouth and leaned forward, whispering, “You see, they are loners, which makes breeding an issue. And they are notoriously bad at romance. I simply told him that if he’d put a bit more effort into his appearance and worked on his bedroom moves, then when the right lynx came around, he’d be ready to seal the deal. Wham! Bam! And then there would be a baby lynx.”

  Liv shook her head. “I’m shocked that offended him.”

  Rudolf agreed. “I know, right? You try to help someone! Oh, well, when the time comes, he’ll remember what I said about slow-dancing in the moonlight.”

  “I’m almost certain that he won’t,” Liv said dryly.

  Rudolf glanced at her sharply, like he was not sure he was seeing her correctly. “Did you do something different with your hair?”

  Liv tugged on one of the locks, eyeing it. “Nope.”

  “Is that a new black t-shirt?” he asked, confused. “It looks less threadbare than your other faded black t-shirts.”

  Liv glanced down and shrugged. “I pulled it off the floor this morning when I rolled out of bed.”

  Rudolf closed his eyes for a half-beat. “I fear that you’ll never breed either, my sweet Liv. You have no style, and you never brush your hair, and your makeup really doesn’t work for you.”

  “I’m not wearing any makeup.”

  Rudolf threw up his hands. “And now we’re uncovering even more problems. I beseech you to never leave your house without at least three layers of eyeshadow. You can’t expect a man to like you for your brains with a personality like yours.”

  Liv stuck her tongue out at him. “Oh, too bad. Well, it appears I’ll have to throw myself into my work. If only I had a job or two or three that demanded all of my time.”

  Rudolf pointed over his shoulder. “There’s a cocktail bar I just passed that’s hiring. The waitresses wear short little numbers and halter tops, but you might be able to get a job busing tables.”

  “Do tell me why you’re here before I throw you through the front window,” Liv said.

  “Sure thing—as soon as you tell me why you were using a disguising spell on your pretty face?” Rudolf asked.

  Surprised, Liv leaned forward. “How did you know?”

  Rudolf laughed, brushing his thumb over her chin like she had leftover crumbs there from her blueberry muffin. “You still have remnants of the old man you were impersonating on you.”

  Liv slapped his hand away. “You can see that?” She lifted the toaster next to her, peering into its reflective surface.

  “Yes, but most can’t see those things,” Rudolf said. “Fae have a way of seeing remnants of leftover magic, enabling us to detect past spells.”

  “Wow, that could come in handy,” Liv mused.

  “Oh, let me tell you about it,” Rudolf said. “The next time we’re out, I’ll point out all the magicians who have used male enhancement spells.”

  “Please don’t,” Liv said, shaking her head as she set the toaster down.

  “Of course,” Rudolf sang, drawing out the words, “Fae don’t use those spells since we are very well endowed, if you know what I mean.”

  Liv feigned confusion. “I don’t. Do you mean with large noses? Yours is awfully large.”

  Rudolf cupped his hand over his nose. “No, I meant—”

  “Why are you here, Big Nose?”

  Rudolf pulled his hands off his face and reached into his pocket. He pulled out Liv’s mother’s ring
and set it on the worktable between them. “I found the memory connected to this.”

  The barstool nearly toppled over when Liv shot up. “Are you serious? What is it?”

  “Well, there were a few memories of me at dinner parties where I was wearing yellows and oranges, which totally aren’t my color,” Rudolf stated. “I think I was better without reliving those.”

  “Jerkface,” Liv growled menacingly.

  “Okay, fine,” Rudolf said. “Most of the memories I unearthed were inconsequential, but then something strange happened. Something I’m not sure how I forgot, or how anyone could.”

  “Please tell me,” Liv encouraged.

  He scratched his head. “Liv, this is weird. And I think what I learned is incomplete.”

  She rolled her eyes. “I get that you’re starved for attention, so you’re using this in an attempt to draw out this interaction, but get on with it.”

  He flashed her a brilliant smile. “If only that were true. But I get your point. You know how most mortals will dismiss magic if they see it directly?”

  Liv stood straighter. She remembered that John had stated that his ex-wife Chloe had been required to show him magic repeatedly for him to finally see it. This was common, and it was one reason that telling mortals about magic didn’t usually work. However, he thought it had worked because they were in love and uniquely bonded. Otherwise, most mortals witnessing magic repeatedly wouldn’t do the trick. They simply didn’t see it, for whatever reason.

  “Yeah, I know what you’re talking about,” Liv said, having seen this herself many times.

  Rudolf nodded, glad she was following. “Well, in these past memories, I learned something quite shocking. Mortals used to know about magic.”

  Liv tilted her head to the side. “What do you mean?”

  “I saw dozens of parties and events; really, I spent way too much of my youth hanging out at lavish affairs. I’m not sure what I was thinking, except that I was obsessed with—”

  “Dorkface, get to the freaking point,” Liv said, cutting him off.

  He nodded. “Anyway, in all of these memories, magicians or fae or whatever magical creatures entertained the masses with spells. Mortals were there as a part of the festivities.”