Justice Unhatched (The Exceptional S. Beaufont Book 5)

by Sarah Noffke

  “Okay, so we’re supposed to formulate a plan where you all storm in there and find the eggs, rough them up, but not kill them and not level the company, but also achieve our goals? Is that right?” Hiker asked.

  “Correct, sir,” Sophia chirped.

  He sighed. “Your review of the data didn’t find anything pointing to where the dragon eggs could be?”

  She shook her head. “Honestly, sir, I couldn’t understand much of the information. It was riddled with industry terms I’d need three engineering degrees to decipher. I know they use a technology called LIDAR to detect things in the ground coupled with aviation. That’s about it. With your permission, I’ll forward it over to my magitech source in Los Angeles, but it might take a while for her to review it.”

  He nodded. “Go ahead, but I’m getting antsy to make progress. Each day we let Trin Currante hold onto our eggs is another day they get farther out of our reach. I mean, who knows what she could have done with them already. They might be tested on or used for experiments.”

  Sophia shuddered at the thought, although it had already occurred to her.

  Hiker blew out a breath. “I need to consider our options, but at this point, the best one might be to copy their approach.”

  “You mean, storm them with as much ammo as possible when they aren’t expecting it and use force?” she asked.

  Solemnly he nodded. “I don’t like it, but we need to make progress here. If we can capture them, then we can get answers.”

  “Remember we need Trin Currante,” she reminded him. “Otherwise, she has the kill switches she can use to disable the other cyborgs like she did with the prisoners we captured.”

  Hiker seemed to have considered this. “Yeah, I know. It’s just that—”

  Both Hiker and Sophia froze at the same time. They had different voices in their head, but they were saying similar things. Sophia was certain Bell wasn’t voicing things quite like Lunis. His words rang clear in her head.

  Some more heathen dragons are breaking free of their prisons! Get over here, Sophia!

  Chapter Fifty-One

  Unsurprisingly, it was raining on the Expanse as Sophia crossed to the Nest. She’d seen rain before and it came down in little droplets, covering the Earth. This felt more like someone was taking buckets, hundreds of them, and tossing them out from overhead, drenching the land.

  Sophia covered her head with her hood, knowing who was throwing buckets of water all over the Expanse. Just like why Quiet was waking her up in the middle of the night, she didn’t know his reasoning and suspected she’d have to work her way through the mystery since he wasn’t talking. If he was, she couldn’t hear it.

  By the time she made the long trek to the caves where the Nest was located, Sophia was soaked through. She’d slogged through thick mud for the last bit, and now her boots were covered in gunk.

  Lunis was sitting nobly by the entrance to the cave under an overhang, staying dry and out of the rain.

  “Thanks for the lift,” Sophia grumbled, trying to kick mud from her boots since it was making her steps lopsided.

  What do you think I’m an Uber? he joked, winking at her. Even though he was teasing her, she caught him looking her over, checking she was okay.

  She was fine, although chilled to the bone and shivering.

  Come here, he encouraged, holding out a wing for her.

  She folded herself into his body before he wrapped his wing all the way around her, holding her in close, but leaving a space for her head. The heat of his body instantly took the chill away. Sophia could feel his insides like a coal-burning heater, drying her clothes and making her teeth stop chattering.

  “Thank you,” she said when she felt more normal.

  Well, it’s the least I can do since you have to walk using legs and don’t have wings, Mortal.

  Sophia laughed. “Yes, I’m such a simpleton with my two legs and no fire breathing ability.”

  You’re quite short too and can be easily crushed. He pretended to threaten her and squeezed in extra tight before releasing her.

  “More eggs are hatching?” she asked, looking toward the Nest entrance where she could only see the glow of the torches coming from around a bend. “How do we know they are devilish?”

  You’ll have to see for yourself, he said ominously.

  Sophia nodded. “Oh, look at you selling the suspense.”

  The pair entered the Nest to find Hiker and Mama Jamba were already there. The Viking was drenched, as Sophia had been. Even with his increased speed, he wasn’t able to escape the rain entirely. Mama Jamba appeared as pristine as ever, not a single hair out of place and her makeup not at all smudged. She must be able to portal around the Gullington, unlike the rest of them. It made sense, though, since she was in charge of…well, everything.

  Hiker shook his head as she strode up next to him, displacing water droplets onto her like a wet dog shaking off.

  “Hey, I just dried off,” Sophia said, shielding herself.

  “Well, use another drying spell,” he commented, looking her over.

  Sophia smirked at him. “I didn’t use a drying spell.” She pointed to the dragon behind her. “Lunis dried me off.”

  Hiker gave her an annoyed expression. “You two are very strange. We ride dragons, not hug them.”

  “You don’t hug them,” Sophia fired back. “In all your time with Bell, you haven’t given her a big bear hug?”

  He rolled his eyes. “I’m going to pretend this conversation never happened if it’s all the same to you. Your strange behavior with your dragon might be the reason your crop acts so strangely.”

  Sophia followed his gaze to three newly hatched dragons that were battling. They were small, about the size of terrier dogs, and thankfully they didn’t have fire. They were representing the primary colors in red, blue, and yellow. What was startling about them was they were nipping at each other, whipping each other with their horned tails and taking turns wrestling.

  “Since you don’t have any experience with dragons hatching since this is a first for us, how do you know this behavior is strange?” Sophia asked, although she had to admit there was something very off-putting about how the newly hatched dragons were acting. There was undeniable aggression in their movements like they were fighting for resources in the new world they’d come to.

  “I don’t have experience being around young dragons,” Hiker answered. “And the collective consciousness of the dragons, according to Bell, doesn’t offer much help on the matter since the first batch of eggs wasn’t congregated like this.”

  Sophia nodded, remembering this bit from the Complete History of Dragonriders. The first one thousand eggs were scattered all over the Earth and hatched seemingly randomly over centuries. Sophia’s batch was all together, setting another new precedent.

  “Maybe the issue is the eggs are all together and they should be separated,” she offered.

  Hiker glanced in Mama Jamba’s direction. She was squatted, regarding the three fighting dragons with a placid expression. “I know who can answer that for us.”

  “She isn’t talking, is she?” Mama Jamba answered with a snicker, rising from her low position.

  “No. Why offer your Dragon Elite any inside information on this subject,” he remarked, a rare bit of sarcasm in his tone.

  “I’ve given you everything you need to find out the information,” she said, drawing out the words with her Southern accent. “It’s all here for those who wish to look.” Mother Nature made a broad motion, indicating to the world around them.

  Hiker nodded, annoyance heavy in the movement. He turned his attention back to Sophia. “Have you had any luck finding information in the Complete History of Dragonriders?”

  “Honestly, I haven’t had much time,” she admitted.

  “With all the tasks you have burdened her with, I’m not sure when you expect her to figure this out,” Mama Jamba stated, standing back as the three dragons started to take over the space fighting.


  “Yes, there are many mysteries to solve right now,” Hiker said with a sigh. “The Elite Globe, the newly hatched dragons, Trin Currante and of course, Wilder. I only wish we had a resource that would talk.” He cut his eyes at Mama Jamba, but she didn’t seem to notice or care.

  A thought suddenly occurred to Sophia that she wasn’t sure why she hadn’t had before. “Oh, I know someone who might be able to help. I’ll be back.”

  Hiker grunted. “Just be back before the mission starts tomorrow.”

  “I think what my dear son meant to say, Sophia, was thank you,” Mama Jamba told him with a wink.

  She nodded, running for the exit of the Nest, Lunis following her onto the Expanse, knowing exactly what her next move would be.

  Chapter Fifty-Two

  Thankfully, Liv knew where to find the person Sophia was looking for. She texted over the coordinates and Lunis and Sophia took off, The Complete History of Dragonriders in tow.

  For as long as Sophia had lived in California, which was pretty much the whole of her life, she’d never been to this place—one of the rare wonders of the world.

  “They are simply incredible,” Sophia said, gazing up at the Redwood trees towering over her in this particular grove of the National Sequoia forest.

  Eh, Lunis replied, not impressed. Just look like trees to me.

  Sophia gave him an annoyed expression over her shoulder. “They are the largest trees in the whole wide world.”

  So I shouldn’t rub up against one to scratch my back then? he asked. Because I have an awful itch that really needs to be scratched.

  “No!” Sophia exclaimed, much louder than she intended. “You’ll break the old trees with your spikes and strength.”

  Then you’ll have to scratch this for me. He indicated with his snout. It’s right over there, to the left.

  Sophia patted her sword on her hip. “I’ll scratch it with Inexorabilis.”

  And in return, I’ll scratch any of your itches with my teeth.

  Sophia flashed him an amused expression. She really wouldn’t have him any other way. Without the banter, Lunis would be like all the other dragons, which in her opinion, were too dry.

  Taking off in the direction of the coordinates indicated, Sophia kept her eyes out for the expert she was searching for. After only a few paces, it was clear Lunis wouldn’t fit through the narrow paths that snaked between the trees. He could use a compartment spell, consolidating to fit, but Sophia sensed he’d rather do other things.

  “Go on then,” she encouraged, waving him away. “Go kill some innocent creatures.”

  He lowered his head and gave her a repugnant stare. Did you want the dragon to become a vegan as to not harm any animals?

  “Yes,” Sophia teased. “You can sustain yourself on hummus and carrots or figs and berries.”

  I’m considering eating you, Lunis warned.

  “You wouldn’t,” she protested, pretending to be offended. “My life is connected to you, so if you kill me, you won’t last long.”

  Actually, he said, looking off as he recalled a distant memory. There’ s no account of a dragon eating their rider. Maybe like when your twin dies, it actually makes me stronger. I would inherit all of the power, and then world domination would be mine.

  Sophia giggled. “You sort of scar me, weirdo.”

  Same, he retorted. Don’t worry, I won’t eat you because I’m certain your bad jokes would give me indigestion.

  “Good reason,” she replied.

  Lunis started forward, pulling up before meeting the majestic grove of trees that towered in front of them. The blue dragon contrasted magnificently against the canopy overhead before he disappeared into the blue sky.

  Chapter Fifty-Three

  For a girl who grew up in a magical house and was used to seeing bizarre things, she was in awe of the majestic Redwoods. They stood like skyscrapers, towering over her with quiet elegance. Sophia felt like she was in the presence of wise mages who held the secrets of the world.

  It shouldn’t have surprised her then that the person she was searching for was standing beside one of the larger trees, making it somehow appear small.

  The three-hundred-foot-tall tree put Bermuda Lauren’s height into perspective. She was large by mortal standards, but the giantess was considered big to her own magical race.

  Her back tensed as Sophia took a step forward, a twig breaking underfoot. With a typical annoyed Bermuda glare, she turned and put her hands on her hips.

  “And just like that, you ruined it,” Bermuda snapped, disapproval covering her face.

  “Good to see you, as well.”

  Bermuda shook her head. She was wearing a safari hat with a net around it and a camouflage outfit. “I’ve been tracking the knock-knock bird for days and was just about to close in on it when you scared it away.”

  “Sorry,” Sophia said guiltily.

  “Don’t make a joke about how I should ask who is there or try ringing the doorbell instead to find it,” Bermuda warned.

  “I wasn’t going to.”

  This seemed to surprise the giantess. “Oh, well, that would have been your sister’s reply.”

  Sophia held in her giggle. She could just see Liv saying something like that and earning a contemptuous glare from Bermuda.

  Seeming to resign some of her frustration, the giantess took a seat on a fallen tree, making it sag a bit from her weight. “Well, let’s have it then. Why did you come here and ruin my expedition?”

  “I really didn’t mean to mess things up for you,” Sophia said, striding over, The Complete History of Dragonriders tucked under one arm.

  “Is that…?” Bermuda asked, her eyes widening with alarm.

  Sophia nodded. “Yes, and I was hoping you could help me locate some information in it unless you already know the answer.”

  “May I?” Bermuda held out her hands, her tone completely changed to one of awe.

  “Sure.” Sophia handed over the book. Before, she would have been reluctant to have a non-dragonrider take the book. It was the only copy in the world. However, Trinity, the librarian, had read it. Bermuda Laurens was also one of the most respected experts on magical creatures. Sophia reasoned she could be trusted.

  With a great fondness, Bermuda ran her large hand down the front cover of the thick book. “Now, what’s your question? Then we will tackle how to find it.”

  “Well, the dragon eggs are starting to hatch,” Sophia began.

  “How many so far?”

  “Four,” Sophia answered. “This is new territory for us since there’s never been an incidence of so many eggs collected in one spot. The ones that have hatched so far, they appear to be…”

  “Be what?” Bermuda snapped, impatience flaring on her face again.

  Sophia gulped, disbelieving what she was about to say. “Evil. Maybe bad-tempered is a better word and evil is overdoing it bit, but that was my first inclination.”

  “Your first inclination is usually correct,” Bermuda stated. “Learn to trust it. You’ll be better off the rest of your life if you tune into that gut instinct. It’s never wrong.”

  Rory, Bermuda’s son, had said something similar to her once. Sophia nodded. “Anyway, I know the answer has to be in this book, but it’s so vast, and I was hoping…”

  “You’re not asking me to teach you how to read, are you?” Bermuda asked, her face stone serious.

  “No, I just thought that as an author and an expert on magical creatures…” Sophia instantly doubted her decision. Time was important. It always was, really. At the end of the day, time was all anyone ever really had. It was the currency of the world.

  She slumped with defeat, thinking she should be back at the Gullington, resting up for the mission the next day, or working to find out how to help Wilder. She needed to research the twin factor and the Elite Globe. Sophia was just about to call Lunis to her and return when Bermuda randomly opened the book in her hands.

  Her hazel eyes ran down the
page before she pointed, a victorious glare on her face. “There you go.”

  “Wait. You found something on why the dragons are being born evil?” Sophia asked.

  “Not just something, but the exact reason,” Bermuda answered mildly.

  “How did you do that?” Sophia questioned shock on her face. “You just randomly opened the Complete History of Dragonriders.”

  “I didn’t.” Bermuda sounded offended. “Nothing in life is random, child. As soon as you understand that, then you’ll see the signs and cosmic force in your life, leading the way.”

  Sophia scrunched up her brow. “I don’t understand.”

  Bermuda nodded as though Sophia’s confusion was just a part of her DNA and couldn’t be helped. “Everything in life is driven by intention. When we enter a space with a certain intention, then we change that space. When you’re about to be presented with options to choose from and desire a particular one, you are time traveling to a certain extent, coloring that which will be offered to you. When an ailment befalls us and we make plans for a funeral or for a wellness party, again, we are creating the future. Intentions make this world go round. Does that make sense?”

  Sophia thought for a moment. “So, before you opened the book, you thought about what you were looking for, didn’t you? You set your mind on that, and then when you opened the book, you found what you were looking for because your intentions paved the path.”

  Bermuda twitched her mouth to the side. “The Beaufonts, for as many criticisms as I give your lot for being wasteful with smiles and careless with sarcasm, are actually very intuitive and intelligent.”

  “Thank you,” Sophia stated.

  “Learn not to thank people when they state the obvious, would you?”

  Sophia shook her head. “I think I’ll do as I please. Besides, my gratitude is more for me than for you.”

  An almost appreciative expression crossed the giantess’s face before she whisked it away and pointed to the book. “Yes, I found what you were looking for using intention. It should always lead the way. Too often I see people focusing on what they don’t want and wondering why they get it. You see people confused, overwhelmed even, thinking they will never find that which they seek. How can they be surprised when they don’t? I just had the confidence to know I’d find what you seek, and I must say after you explained what’s happening with the dragons hatching, I was curious too.”