by Sarah Noffke
Liv jerked her head out and stood. “But are you sure?”
He sort of smirked. “Not entirely.”
“So there!” she said victoriously. After a moment, she sighed in defeat. “And I know, you’re right. Mortals are confused. Every day there are new reports of the strange things they are witnessing. We have to figure out how to explain to a few billion people why they are suddenly living in a very different world. The council has been meeting with groups from the different magical races to determine the best course of action, but these things take time. The important thing is that mortals are awake, they can see magic, and the forgotten history has been activated. It’s a gradual process, having it weave itself back into the consciousness of mortals, magicians, and everyone else, but in time, it’s supposed to be a part of our distant memories. Or at least, that’s what Papa Creola states.”
“Who are you talking to?” John asked from behind Liv.
She spun, looking for Plato, and shrugged when he wasn’t anywhere around. “The cat. But he disappeared.”
John gave her a sympathetic smile. “I know how much you want Plato to be your familiar.”
“He is,” Liv argued at once.
Again John flashed her a compassionate look. “It’s just that sometimes a cat is just a cat. I’m sure, in your world, it’s weird to have anything that is ordinary. I mean, Sophia has the dragon egg, and Alicia was once a chicken, and you see so many strange things every day.”
“Exactly!” Liv stated. “So why is it so hard for you to believe that Plato is magical?”
John leaned over and patted his terrier, Pickles, on the head. “Because sometimes a cat is just a cat. Just as Pickles is just a dog. But I understand wanting him to be more.”
“He is more,” Liv argued. “He just doesn’t show you because he likes to be a pain in the ass and it’s against his religion to reveal himself to anyone but me.”
“That’s a weird religion,” John said with a laugh.
“What did Alicia have to say?” Liv asked, her mood plummeting suddenly. Plato was right that she was hiding when she had other responsibilities. It was just that she was lost. After she defeated Adler and freed the mortals, everything was supposed to be perfect. It was supposed to go back to normal. But there was no normal. The Sinclairs had rewritten history and made the world a confusing place. Mortals were supposed to be able to see magic. They were the ones who governed it. However, a few centuries of having it locked away from them made it so the present reality was bizarre. How could mortals govern something they didn’t understand and no one knew how to properly explain to them?
“Oh, not much, really,” John said, averting his gaze from Liv’s. “I told her about the microwave, and she gave me some suggestions to try.”
“Maybe she’ll stop by and have a look at it,” Liv offered.
“Maybe,” John said, a hint of excitement in his voice.
Liv was about to push the matter when her own phone rang. She eyed the caller ID with doubt. Her phone listed contacts whether she had them in her database or not. That was one of the perks of magical tech. However, she doubted it was correct in this instance.
“Hello?” Liv answered the phone. She was silent for a long moment while the person on the other side spoke. They didn’t give her a moment to interject. Instead, they kept talking until they were done. “Ummm…yeah, I guess I can meet with you.”
Without another word, the person on the other side hung up.
“What was that about?” John asked, curiosity brimming in his eyes.
“It was the President of the United States,” she answered. “She wants to meet with me.”
Chapter Three
The portal to the White House stood in the middle of Liv’s apartment, shimmering and giving off a soft melodic sound. She continued to stare at it impassively, not walking through as she was supposed to.
“I thought you’d be more excited about meeting the President,” Stefan said, hiding the amused expression on his face.
“I am,” she answered. “I just don’t see why I have to dress like a court reporter to do it.” Liv swept her arm at the black high heels that Sophia had magically put on her as a finishing touch to getting her ready. Then the little magician had taken her dragon egg to the back bedroom, stating that he was tired and ready for a nap.
“Puff the Magic Dragon lives in a thick shell, so I’m not sure why he can’t nap…oh, I don’t know, just about anywhere,” Liv had said to her little sister’s retreating back.
“That’s not his name, and he says that your constant grumbling about having to brush your hair makes it difficult to relax.” Sophia offered her one last look of sympathy before disappearing into her room with the large dragon egg.
Liv threw her hand through her freshly combed hair and sighed.
“I’ve never been to a mortal courtroom, but I’m not sure if you could get confused for a court reporter or a lawyer or anything close,” Stefan said, eyeing her from the corner where he was propped against the wall, looking much more comfortable than her in his usual black attire and boots.
“Why do you think that is?” Liv glanced down at the black pencil skirt and blazer Sophia had magicked onto her, the material scratching her arms and legs.
Stefan pointed to Bellator, which she’d slung across her back. “It might be the giant-made sword. From what I’ve heard, mortals don’t go to meet the President of the United States with swords. Their security frowns upon it.”
Liv huffed. “Bellator calms me down and keeps me rational.”
“I thought you said it also was hungry to feast on enemies’ blood?” Stefan questioned.
“Which usually makes me feel like I’m not so crazy.”
Stefan strode over and gingerly removed the sword from Liv’s back. She allowed it, flashing him a look of dissatisfaction. She’d known it was unlikely that she’d be able to meet the President of the United States with a sword across her back, but it did make her feel better while the tight shoes were pinching her feet.
“If you want me to, I’ll put on an equally uncomfortable outfit and accompany you,” Stefan stated.
Liv considered that for a moment and shook her head. “No. Strangely, your pain doesn’t make me feel better. I thought that was how relationships work, but I guess I’ve got nothing figured out.”
“Yes, I’m learning this all myself too,” Stefan stated, carefully laying Bellator on the large dining room table. It had been a gift from Rory, who said she couldn’t keep feeding Sophia on the carpet and calling it a picnic. “Apparently loving someone means wanting better for them than you want for yourself.”
Liv narrowed her eyes. “Don’t make me pick that sword up and use you as a sparring dummy.”
The spark that radiated in Stefan’s eyes when he smiled was full of just the right amount of playfulness. “Oh, did that L-word catch you off-guard? I apologize, my lady. I promise not to speak of my affections for you again until you’re begging for them. Only then will I use terms that are to your liking.”
Liv shook her head. “You’re ridiculous. And you know you can’t go with me. You’ve got elf negotiations to deal with. After this mortal business, we need the elves on our side. They can’t go all rogue.”
Stefan nodded confidently. “Don’t you worry your well-combed head of hair. I’ve pretty much got this elf thing in the bag. I just need to catch one more bad guy, and the elves will be begging for an alliance.”
“Okay, sounds like a plan,” Liv said, taking a reluctant step toward the still-glowing portal. “You go slaughter a bad guy so we can form a partnership with the elves. Meanwhile, I’m just going to meet with the President of the United States.”
“And then what do you say to some pad Thai and Netflix?” Stefan asked with a hint of mischief in his eyes.
“Don’t try to domesticate me, Ludwig,” she said, nearing the portal.
“What? If I had said nachos, you would have been all over the idea.”
She shook her head at him. “Don’t pretend you know me so well.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it.”
Liv waved to him as she stepped through the portal, thinking how nice it would be to return home after a long day to nachos…and maybe even Stefan’s face.
She let the idea linger a bit too long and was disoriented when she found herself stepping into the Oval Office a few seconds later.
The sound of a teacup shattering was the first thing Liv heard. Her hand reflexively went for Bellator before she remembered that she’d left it on her dining room table.
The President of the United States was regarding her with wide eyes, her mouth agape. On her lap was a beautiful saucer, the cup having fallen on it and broken. The tea was currently puddling in President Fuller’s lap.
“Oh, I’m sorry, did I startle you?” Liv said, sweeping her hand through the air. The pieces of the broken teacup rose and came back together, and it looked pristine once more. With another swipe of her hand, Liv lifted the tea from the President’s lap and deposited it in the cup.
The cup floated in the air between the President and Liv, bouncing around just a bit.
“I-I-I didn’t expect you to enter that way,” President Fuller said. She had short blonde hair and was wearing an uncomfortable-looking outfit like Liv’s.
“Yes, I guess I should have used the main entrance,” Liv stated. “I just didn’t want to go through security and all.” She plucked the cup from midair and handed it to the President. “Here, I promise it’s safe to drink. The same tea you were drinking. Not even a bit of lint from your clothes. I was careful.”
President Fuller graciously took the cup, looking like she’d just swallowed a cookie without chewing. “You’re a real magician then, aren’t you?”
Liv nodded, looking around the Oval Office. “Yes. You’ve seen some really strange things lately, haven’t you?”
The President set the teacup and saucer on the side table. “Actually, we’re doing our best to change the stories that…our people are seeing. What is that you call us again?”
“Mortals,” Liv supplied.
“Right,” the President said. “Yes, I received the letter from the House of Fourteen. That’s your ruling body, is that right?”
“Yes, in so many ways,” Liv stated.
“They mentioned that you’d be working to recruit mortals who would preside over magical matters on this council of yours.”
“That’s right,” Liv answered. “Although I haven’t made much progress.”
“Well, I’d like to make nominations for those who could represent mortals.”
Liv shook her head. “I’m sorry, that’s not how it works. The Mortal Seven have already been chosen.”
“Oh? Then why haven’t you made progress?”
“Because I don’t know how to identify them yet,” Liv stated.
President Fuller nodded like this made perfect sense. “This has been a very strange week. Finding out that magic is real and has always been around us is a lot to process. I’m having trouble dealing with this new history.”
“It’s the old history, actually,” Liv corrected, pacing. She needed to expel her nervous energy, although her feet were already throbbing. “But I can only imagine what you and other mortals are going through. No one said this transition would be easy, but the hardest part is done. Mortals are awake after centuries of being blind to magic. They can help to keep the balance, which has been out of whack for too long. And I’m happy to help however I can. Now my question to you, President Fuller, is why did you call me here?”
When the President didn’t reply, Liv turned to face her directly, wondering if she said something wrong that put her on edge. She blinked with confusion at the sight before her. It didn’t appear that she’d said anything wrong, but rather had bored the President.
Lying across the sofa as if she’d laid down for an afternoon nap was the President of the United States. Her mouth opened, and she let out a very loud snore.
Chapter Four
After Liv stepped into the House of Fourteen, she took a step back out again. She had, in fact, gone through the right door. This was the entrance to the fake tarot card shop. And she wasn’t drunk. Not yet, anyway. After boring the President of the United States to sleep, she was considering tying on a few after work, although there was never really any “after work” time. Still, she liked to play with the idea.
Liv stepped through the entrance again. It was absolutely stunning. The entryway to the House had been impressive before, especially after she became a Warrior and the long hallway was illuminated with the language of the Founders. Now it was simply breathtaking. The high, arched ceiling was decorated with intricate carvings that would have taken a craftsman a century to create by hand. The decorations ran the length of the hallway.
Carefully Liv took another step, noticing the plush red carpet under her feet. Pure gold sconces with flames lit the area. And marble statues lined the walls, which were still imbued with the language of the Founders. Fourteen statues.
The statues on the right were of the founding magicians, Liv realized at once. Something caught in her throat when she read the placard beside it:
Bernard Beaufont, Founder of the House of Fourteen.
That would have been Liv’s great-great-great-grandfather. He was the one who had formed the House of Fourteen originally. She couldn’t believe it. The history had been lost for so long that Liv hadn’t known this. She knew the Beaufonts were one of three remaining founding families, but not that they were the founders.
Taking another step, she didn’t need to read the placard beside the next statue to know it was of a member of the Takahashis. The magician was dressed as Akio and Haro often did, in traditional Japanese attire.
She stepped back in disgust at the next statue. It was of Talon Sinclair, and he had an uncanny resemblance to Adler. She hadn’t regretted killing that man in the slightest, but seeing a face so similar to his did bring flashes of Adler’s death to her mind’s eye.
Turning to the other statues lining the opposite wall, Liv read the names of the Mortal Seven. They were the same ones she’d found in the ancient chamber.
Carloway
Reynolds
Luce
Alvarez
Gaumond
Wong
Fiori
Once she reached the end of the hallway, Liv found herself turning back and striding toward the entrance again. The House had changed because the truth had been revealed. She suddenly had a great fondness for the House of Fourteen, which was more alive than any place she’d ever known. It breathed. It grew. It slept. And when she least expected it, the House came alive. It was a person she’d known all her life, and one she hoped never to lose. Not now that she’d found such a deep appreciation for it.
“Isn’t it ironic that you begrudgingly took on the role of Warrior for the House and now you relish the fact?” Plato asked, having materialized by her side.
She frowned. “It’s rude to get into my head.”
He strode beside her as she studied the statues again. “I’m not in your head. I am a figment of your imagination. And it was just a lucky guess.”
“Really?”
“Yes, I don’t actually exist, which is why no one else can see or hear me,” Plato answered.
“That’s not true. You’ve spoken to Clark before,” Liv spat.
“Oh, really? You’re going to legitimize my existence by using Clark? The guy you call a looney tune?” Plato asked.
“Right, good point. I knew I was insane.” Liv halted after she’d once again come to the far end of the hallway. “I’m relieved you’re not in my head because that would make you an even stranger imaginary friend.”
“Yes, it would,” Plato said. “And you didn’t bore the President to sleep. I think there’s something else at play there.”
Liv’s mouth popped open. “You are trespassing in my mind!”
She’d heard Plat
o speak to her from inside her head, like he was a part of her thoughts. She was only half-pretending to be offended. If anyone was going to read her mind, she was glad it was Plato.
“Maybe just a little bit,” he admitted.
Liv studied the symbols, wondering if the message had changed, too. She pulled the Warrior ring from her pocket. Lately, she had it on her all the time, feeling that it kept her mother close to her somehow.
Running the ring over the symbols, she found that the message from before had stayed the same. Over and over, it said: “Stop the One, and you’ll free us all.”
“I don’t get it,” she said. “I killed Adler. Rory and Bermuda killed Decar. The evil Sinclairs are gone.”
A perplexed expression crossed Plato’s face. “Maybe they are referring to the Mortal Seven being freed. The message might remain the same until they’ve been located and appointed to the council.”
“Maybe,” Liv said, uncertainty in her voice.
Although she wanted to stay in the hallway and study the statues more, she forced herself to continue to the Chamber of the Tree. She was just about to step through the Door of Reflection when she noticed there were spots of color in the Black Void. Before it had only been swirling darkness with different shades of black. Now if she focused, Liv could see blues and greens and sparks of light.
“That’s definitely new too,” she said as she neared the Black Void, that feeling of impending doom growing stronger as she did.
A shock of electricity shot down Liv’s spine suddenly, making her jump back. Protectively, Plato bolted in front of her, a cautious expression on his face.
“So that wasn’t just my imagination?” Liv asked, panting like she’d just run several miles.
Plato shook his head. “No, I saw the shock. It looked like something was trying to come out of there.”
“Oh, this is just perfect,” Liv said dryly. “The cat who won’t talk to anyone else is my only witness that there’s something evil living in the Black Void, which no one else can see either.”
