by Sarah Noffke
“That’s not true,” Wilder stated, but his argument fell flat and made him instantly worry the dragon was telling the truth. They were new, he and Sophia. There was a lot of uncertainty with the Dragon Elite and Hiker that surrounded them. She was so young and inexperienced. He often worried she would change her mind, wanting something or someone different. Or maybe just the chance to explore her options before being “locked down.”
“Um,” Zac cut in again, “when you two are done…”
It’s totally true, Lunis said, ignoring Zac. Why would Sophia want to be with you when she can have anyone in the world?
“Because…” Wilder said, but a reason didn’t follow.
She has me and I’m more than enough, Lunis went on, smoke billowing from his nostrils, blowing it in Wilder’s face. However, he didn’t back down. That’s what the dragon wanted.
“You know a dragon and rider relationship is never enough for magicians,” Wilder replied, finding his voice after feeling like he’d been punched in the throat.
Maybe for you and Simi, Lunis said with confidence. Some people have more fulfilling relationships. You wouldn’t understand.
“Guys!” Zac exclaimed.
“What?!” Wilder and Lunis said in unison, swinging around to face the guy.
Standing beside him, holding a sheathed katana on her shoulder and wearing an amused smile, was Sophia.
Soph! Lunis yelled, his eyes lighting up with relief.
Wilder felt the urge to rush over and throw his arms around her. Instead, he kept his distance and just looked her over to ensure she was okay.
“Are you guys finished?” Sophia asked.
He started it, Lunis said, nodding in Wilder’s direction.
“I did not,” Wilder protested. “He said… Never mind.” Wilder didn’t want to think about the things Lunis had said. It was based on jealousy, he told himself, but he didn’t believe that all together. Shaking off the worry, he smiled at her. “So, you picked the right sword. Which one was it, the one with the power or experience?”
She shook her head, a proud expression on her face. “Neither.”
“What?” he asked at once, not having expected that answer.
“I got to thinking it wouldn’t make sense for the first sword to be brand new,” Sophia stated. “I mean, this temple is ancient, and who knows how long the swords have been there? It made sense for the magical katana to be old and powerful. It didn’t make any sense that beside it would be a brand-new sword, like one you’d find at Walmart.”
“You can get a katana at Walmart?” Zac asked.
Sophia nodded. “That made me wonder if there was a glamour on the first sword that hid its energy from you, Wild.”
He smiled at her, incredibly impressed. “So you took a chance and picked the first sword, even though I told you it wasn’t right.”
She held out the sword for him. “I removed the glamour. Now you tell me if it’s the right one.”
Wilder took the katana in his hands and felt the weight of its power, experiences, and magic, along with its actual weight. There was something unique about the sword. Unlike he had thought before, it wasn’t brand new. It was ancient—older than the other two in the temple. Within the blade were different magical elemental forces. In the right hands, this sword would be very dangerous. That person would be nearly unstoppable.
Opening his eyes, Wilder found himself shaking his head, overwhelmed by what he felt in the weapon.
“That’s without a doubt the right sword,” he told her.
She simply smiled back at him, relief in her gaze.
The sword was unlike anything he’d experienced before from a weapon, which was saying a lot. More impressive than the katana was the woman in front of him. Most would have picked between the two swords, but not Sophia Beaufont. Strategy was always at the forefront of her mind. She considered her options carefully. He felt more confident about them as a couple than moments prior.
Sophia had considered her options, and she’d chosen Wilder. He respected her choices and was grateful she’d picked him.
Chapter One Hundred Twenty-Nine
“Set the fire to the third bar,” Lee said, pointing up high as Cat stood precariously at the top of a ladder in the Crying Cat Bakery. She had a match in her hand and was leaning forward, about to light a rod attached to the wall.
“Um…” Sophia began as she entered the bakery to witness the perplexing sight, “what are y’all doing?”
Lee’s eyes widened, and she rushed over and kicked the ladder out from under Cat. The baker lost her balance and tumbled over the side. Thankfully she landed on a pile of flour covering the floor, sending up a huge plume that covered her.
“Nothing,” Lee said, standing in front of her wife, partially blocking the view. “It’s not a sacrificial ritual that keeps our business thriving.”
Sophia narrowed her eyes at the woman. “So it definitely is, then.”
Lee shook her head. “Nope. It’s definitely not some archaic practice that imbues our baked goods with magic.”
Sophia nodded. “Again, it totally is.”
Lee checked over her shoulder as her wife sat up, covered from head to toe in white flour. Her eyeballs were the only thing not dusty when she blinked.
“You all right, dear?” Lee asked her.
She nodded, checking for injuries. “I didn’t break my hip this time, so that’s good.”
“No, you can take a fall off a ladder without anything happening, but I look at you wrong, and all of a sudden, your heart is broken,” Lee spat. “Seems a bit strange to me, dear.”
“That should teach you not to look at me wrong,” Cat stated, shaking her head and sending flour all over the place.
“Right now, I don’t really want to look at you since it’s a reminder of all the flour you’re wasting,” Lee told her. “Why don’t you go get cleaned up?”
“Did you clean the shower like I asked?” Cat questioned.
“Yes, and I greased the tub extra good and removed the handrails you’re always clutching for dear life,” Lee replied.
Smiling sweetly, Cat nodded. “So thoughtful, dear. When I’m done, I’ll make you one of my rat poison stews.”
“Thanks, but I’m not hungry.” Lee plastered a fake smile on her face. “I’m still recovering from the last bout of food poisoning you gave me.”
“Oh, well, in that case,” Cat began, making for the back, “I’ll go fix up the bed so you can rest after this. I know exactly how you like it, dear.”
Lee batted her eyes at her wife. “Yes, with the rattlesnake under my pillow. The rattling always puts me to sleep fast.”
“Not for long enough,” Cat replied, pushing the door open and leaving.
“By long enough, she means forever,” Lee said, turning around and focusing on Sophia. “Now, what do you want? I hope you’re happy you interrupted us.”
Sophia pointed at the front door, irritation heavy on her face. “You know you own this shop and could just lock the door, right?”
“I could,” Lee replied. “Then you’d knock, and that would spook Cat, and then you’d be the reason she fell off the ladder.”
Sophia shook her head. Trying to understand the baker wasn’t worth the effort. “I just wanted to give you the good news.”
She held out the magical katana.
“You decided to quit breaking that poor boy’s heart?” Lee asked, her gaze on Sophia and not the sword.
“Yes, but that’s personal.” She held the sword up higher for the baker to see.
“You’ve decided to do something worthwhile with your skills, like eradicating the gnome population?” Lee continued to question, not looking at the sword nearly in front of her face.
“My job is to fix the world, not murder innocent magical races,” Sophia argued.
“Ha!” Lee laughed. “Gnomes aren’t innocent. Do you know who my biggest competition as an assassin is?”
“Gnomes,” Sophia guessed
.
“No, those were two separate things. Gnomes aren’t innocent. The second question is one I really want answered,” Lee told her. “If I knew who my biggest competition was, I’d take them out and own the business.”
Sophia blinked. “Again, I shouldn’t be hearing this. I shouldn’t be giving you this sword, but a deal is a deal.”
“Sword?” Lee questioned with surprise. “What sword?”
Slumping slightly, Sophia put it right in front of Lee’s nose. “This one.”
Her eyes widened. “Why didn’t you say so? You got the katana!”
She took it and unsheathed it. Immediately Lee began swinging it wildly, making Sophia jump backward after nearly getting cut.
“Would you be careful with that thing?”
A cunning grin lit the baker’s face. “Where would the fun in that be?” She tested the balance. “I can’t believe you got it. I didn’t think you’d be successful.” She spun, calling toward the back, “We can cancel that ‘condolences’ cake.’”
“You made a cake for the funeral you thought I was about to have?” Sophia asked, amused rather than offended.
Lee shook her head. “No. We were going to make it. I wanted it to be fresh.”
“Well, I don’t plan on dying anytime soon, so save your ingredients for something else.”
Lee smiled proudly at the katana. “Remarkable that you were able to get this. I tried to give you the most impossible task I could think of, and you somehow pulled it off.”
Sophia nodded. “I believe that. You did want the sword?”
“For sure,” Lee said. “Don’t worry, I won’t use it as my assassin weapon.”
“Wait, what?” Sophia asked, strangely frustrated by this omission. “Why not?”
Lee shrugged. “That seems like cheating. I’d be the deadliest assassin for sure. Who wants an easy win?”
“Me,” Sophia answered. “I risked my life to get you that sword and you’re not going to use it?”
The assassin shook her head and pointed at the wall where the bars were that Cat had been doing something to earlier. “We could use some decoration up there. Think I’ll stick it on the wall.”
Sophia was irritated. “You’re going to use a very powerful katana as decoration?”
“Of course,” Lee stated like it should have been obvious. “Why else would I want it?”
“Oh, I don’t know,” Sophia answered. “As an assassin, maybe as a weapon.”
Lee laid the katana on the counter behind her before flexing her hands. “What do you think these are?”
“Let me guess,” Sophia began. “Deadly weapons.”
Lee winked at her. “Exactly. Who needs a magical katana when I’ve got bone-crushing hands?”
Sophia shook her head but laughed all the same. “Well, regardless of what you do with the sword, we’re even now.”
Nodding, Lee said, “Yes, until next time. Until then, I’ll be thinking of some impossible way you can repay me for the next favor.”
Chapter One Hundred Thirty
“It’s all gone quiet,” Wilder said to Sophia in a whisper outside of Hiker’s office. He had agreed to take Zac home after the mission while Sophia delivered the decorative katana to the Crying Cat Bakery. “For a while, Hiker was throwing stuff around. I’m pretty sure he’s demolished it, but for the last ten minutes, it’s been quiet.”
Sophia nodded, wondering if this was a result of Hiker using the gold token. “I’ll go in and check on him.”
Wilder gave her a cautious expression. “It doesn’t seem like the harp is working. Maybe you should send Mama Jamba in there.”
She considered this but shook her head. “No. I’ll be okay. I need to know if he’s on board with the Saverus mission.”
Trin Currante had messaged Sophia upon her return to the Gullington that she was close to tracking down Mika Lenna’s location. The message told her to be ready since deployment could happen very soon. Sophia was both nervous and excited. It seemed things were finally coming to a head. Injustices were about to be rectified.
“Okay, well, stay by the door in case you need to escape his wrath quickly,” Wilder suggested.
Sophia pressed a quick kiss to his cheek, making him blush. “I’ll be fine, but thanks for the concern.”
When Sophia entered Hiker Wallace’s office, she found Wilder had been correct, and the man had destroyed the space. He now sat in his desk chair, his forearm over his face and his head slumped backward.
“Sir?” Sophia began, knocking on the doorframe.
“What?” he growled, not pulling his arm away.
“Are you okay?”
“Why do you ask?” There was a strange hint of amusement in his voice.
“Well, Ainsley said you missed lunch,” Sophia lied, not wanting to point out the obvious.
“Oh, she noticed,” he muttered.
So he had missed lunch, Sophia wondered. “Of course she noticed. There’s been a bit of talk since you began this office remodel. I really like what you’ve done with the place.” If he was going to be humorous about this, she would too.
He nodded, his face still obstructed by his massive forearm. “I didn’t like the sofa there.”
Sophia glanced at the leather sofa where Mama Jamba usually perched. She wasn’t there since the couch was overturned. “Mama Jamba wasn’t on it when you put it in its new location, right?”
He shook his head. “No, I haven’t seen her since I returned.”
So he had used the reset point, Sophia realized. Her eyes found the gold harp on the floor amongst a bunch of papers strewn about. “It’s pretty crazy going back into the past, right?” she asked carefully.
“Especially when it’s my history,” he replied, not sounding angry. He must have gotten it all out.
Sophia dared to step farther into the office and picked up the harp.
“I broke the gold coin,” Hiker admitted.
Halting, Sophia slumped. Papa Creola was going to kill her. Or as Liv had said, he’d quietly brood and make her do something dangerous to make up for it. Maybe he and Lee were the same person.
“That’s okay,” she lied. “I’m sure it’s no big deal. Actually—”
“I need your help, Sophia,” Hiker interrupted, pulling his arm off his face finally and giving her the most sobering expression.
“Of course, sir,” she said, striding forward and taking the place in front of his desk. “What can I do?”
He shook his head. “That’s just the thing. I don’t know entirely, but you have to help Ainsley get her memories back from before the attack. She…she lost something she can’t ever get back, and I need her to remember what it was. I think that’s the only way for her to be cured.”
“Because she has a broken heart,” Sophia guessed.
He nodded. “Yes. She can’t fix it until she knows why it broke. I need her to remember. Then I need the cure. Then she can leave here.”
Sophia placed the harp on the surface of the desk. “Don’t you think it would mean more if you helped her to recover the memories? If you found the cure for her?”
Regret filled the Viking’s face. “Honestly, I don’t think she’d accept it from me. Once she has her memories back, she’s most likely never speaking to me ever again.”
Sophia stiffened. She knew this situation with Hiker and Ainsley was serious, but it sounded downright devastating. “What did you do, sir?”
He pressed his lips together. “I refused to listen to her. I doubted her, and she’s paid the price for my foolishness all these years.” He looked up, his gaze finally connecting with hers. “I could ask one of the others to help, but honestly, I don’t trust them with this. It’s a sensitive thing and will require strategy. More than that, it’s going to require tact. When you find out what happened…what Ainsley lost, please try to maintain respect for me. I-I-I—”
“Sir, everyone makes mistakes,” Sophia cut in, trying to help.
He nodded. “That�
��s true. I’m simply hoping I can fix what I’ve done.”
“Of course I’ll help,” Sophia stated. Her phone beeped in her pocket. Although she wouldn’t normally allow an interruption during such a serious conversation, she knew this was important. Retrieving her phone, she checked the message and confirmed her suspicions regarding the text. Sophia pointed to the gold harp. “Sir, I would recommend you take that back. We know the location of Saverus Corporation. It’s time to take Mika Lenna down, once and for all.”
Chapter One Hundred Thirty-One
An olive grove facing the sea was not what Sophia expected to see when she and Lunis, along with the other dragonriders, rode into the place Trin Currante requested. She could see from their vantage point high in the air the olive grove appeared to be the rendezvous point. From there, they’d go onto the Saverus Corporation.
Sophia glanced at where Hiker Wallace rode beside her on Bell. The red dragon was a beautiful contrast to Lunis, and the pair flew seamlessly. At their back, Wilder, Evan, and Mahkah coasted, drifting on their wind.
Spotting the cyborgs, Sophia pointed to ensure Hiker saw them. He wasn’t any better than when she found him in his office, but he was doing a good job of pretending. She could tell he wasn’t completely present and hoped his distraction didn’t compromise the mission. Whatever he saw at the reset point had made things exponentially worse for him, but sometimes that was the way it was Sophia reasoned. Things sometimes had to get worse before they could get better.
Lunis and Bell both dove at the same moment, heading in for a landing in an open area on the edge of a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. They were just outside of Los Angeles, close to the secret headquarters for Saverus, which wasn’t so secret anymore thanks to Trin Currante.
It was strange to land the dragons in front of a small army of cyborgs when the memory of fighting them was still so fresh. They were no longer the enemy. They and the Dragon Elite had banded together to defeat a shared enemy.
