by Sarah Noffke
“Swamp water,” Liv corrected, still looking in John’s direction.
Noticing her concern, he said, “She should be back any moment now.”
“Okay, I want everyone in their places,” Liv stated. “Sophia will be back soon, and I want this to be a genuine surprise.”
John pushed up from the floor with great effort, his breathing heavy. “I think that might work. Try it again, Liv.”
She threw her finger in the direction of the stereo, and music filled the air. Liv had compiled a playlist with all of Sophia’s favorite songs. She’d also made sure the party was stocked with all her favorite foods. However, something appeared to be missing.
“Clark?” Liv called toward the kitchen.
“I’m coming,” her brother said, backing into the living area, holding a three-tiered cake. It was as beautiful as one of Sophia’s dresses, covered in pastels and dripping with vines and flowers.
“Wow, where did you get it?” Stefan asked.
Clark shot him a look of offense. “I didn’t buy it. I made it. I’ve been dabbling with cake-making.”
“Of course, you have,” Liv said, shaking her head at him. “It’s beautiful.”
“Thank you,” he said, carefully sliding the cake onto the buffet of food. As he stood back, he whispered over his shoulder to Liv, “And don’t worry. I’m not too busy with this new hobby to look into that thing you wanted me to.”
She nodded discreetly. Stefan, on the other side of her, gave her a hopeful look.
“You mean that law you need to change so Liv and Stefan can snog?” Rudolf asked loudly.
“Oh, I think Serena ate the potpourri again,” Liv said loudly. “She looks a bit green.”
The mortal grabbed her stomach, indeed appearing sick. “I don’t feel so well.”
“Okay, well, go down the hall to the second bathroom,” Liv instructed.
Serena turned, fleeing as the door swung open and Sophia and Pickles bounded through.
“Surprise!” the gang yelled, but no one got out the word all the way before they lost their voices from the sight of the girl who was supposed to be nine years old.
In the space of half an hour, she appeared to have aged a full year. She gave everyone a wide smile, curtseying. “Surprise!”
Chapter Thirty-Nine
“Sophia, what happened?” Liv exclaimed, rushing forward and grabbing her sister by the shoulders as Pickles ran for his master.
The young magician looked down at her dress, which had fit earlier but was now tight around the waist and a bit short. “I’m not sure.”
Liv glanced up, finding Rory in the crowd. He read the expression in her eyes and seemed to know at once what she was thinking. With a quick pivot, he strode for the first bathroom, which was where they were currently keeping the dragon egg. When he returned a moment later, his eyes were wide with excitement. “It’s gotten bigger.”
“Gotten bigger?” Liv questioned. “Like, it still fits in the bathtub?”
“Barely,” he answered.
Liv turned her attention back to Sophia. “How do you feel?”
Sophia blushed, noticing all the faces staring at her. “I’m fine. I’m really grateful for the birthday party.”
“It looks like we owe you two,” Liv stated. “How long were you gone?”
“It’s the dragon egg,” Bermuda said, striding forward and placing a hand on Sophia’s head. After a moment, she nodded like she’d done a full diagnostic on the girl. “Yes. As I suspected, her dragon is trying to get her ready for his hatching.”
“So he’s speeding up her growth?” Clark exclaimed, shaking his head.
“Well, you can’t expect him to hatch for a young magician,” Bermuda stated. “No, he’ll want someone at the same level of maturity as him.”
“But he’s currently in an egg, so I think Sophia is a bit ahead of him,” Liv argued.
“Yes, but as we already know,” Bermuda began, “he can talk and hear and sense things. He’s very advanced. And once he hatches, he’ll have more experience than most young adults.”
“But our Sophia…” Liv said, pressing the girl into her.
She gripped her back. “Liv, I know. But I’m totally fine. What just happened to me felt like the most natural thing in the world, although it did leave me really hungry.”
“The dip is good,” Rudolf said with his mouth full.
“Shouldn’t you be checking on your bride?” Stefan suggested.
“Oh! Right!” Rudolf sped toward the second bathroom.
“Well, welcome to your party,” Liv said, holding her arms out wide.
Sophia beamed. “You all are the best. Thank you so much! I had no idea.” She hurried off to fill her plate with food.
Liv retreated a few steps, needing a moment to process this. She had just gotten Sophia back, and now she was literally growing up before her eyes. Internally, she was conflicted on so many levels about this dragon-riding business. It was what Sophia wanted, so there would be no further questions asked, but if Liv did have a say…well, she wouldn’t say a thing.
When you loved someone, you supported them, even if their endeavors filled your heart with a fear that kept you up at night.
Chapter Forty
Liv waited until she’d tucked Sophia into her bed to sneak out of the apartment. Even if her little sister had grown up a full year inside half an hour, she was still a child, and fell asleep without protest after a night of dancing, laughing, and eating Clark’s scrumptious cake.
Confident that Clark or Rudolf or Rory or any of the others sleeping in her now-large place would wake up if Sophia needed something, Liv set off for John’s apartment, which was next to hers. He opened the door a bit bleary-eyed, having left the party over an hour before, stating he “was an old mortal who couldn’t keep up with the magical folks.”
“Is everything okay?” he asked, peeling the door back at the sight of her.
“Yes, it’s fine,” she said, peering down to find Pickles licking her feet. “Can I please come in?”
“Well, of course.” John stood back, waving her into his modest apartment. It used to be double the size of hers, but he’d refused to have renovations made on it, and therefore it was still the same as the first time she’d seen it five years prior when he’d offered her a job and a place to stay.
“I have to think that something is wrong if you’re here at this late hour,” John said, shutting the door behind her.
“Nothing is wrong, John. It’s just that I can’t wait another minute to find out the truth.”
“The truth?” John asked, following her into the apartment. “About what?”
“I need to know if you’re one of the Mortal Seven,” she explained.
He scratched his receding hairline and shrugged. “Well, I don’t know. I’m fairly certain I’m just a boring old mortal.”
Liv shook her head. “No, you’re better than any mortal I’ve ever met. Hell, you’re better than most magicians I’ve ever met. And you far exceed fae and filthy elves, although I love all people. Anyway, my point is that you’re fair beyond reason. You want a better world, which is why you repair things instead of allowing them to go into the landfill. And you tolerate me even when I’m a pain in the butt—”
“You’re never a pain,” he interrupted.
She offered him a grateful smile. “John, I’m not sure if this is right, but you seem to make my magic stronger. When I first came into my powers after becoming a Warrior, you seemed to help me balance them. If my instinct is right on this, you’re no normal mortal. You do for me what I think the Mortal Seven are supposed to do for the House of Fourteen.”
He chuckled. “I appreciate the compliment, but what if you’re wrong?”
“I’ve considered that a lot lately,” Liv said. “It’s possible I’ve blown this up in my mind. However, my father said that if something looks like a skunk and smells like a skunk, then it probably is one.”
“So, is this your w
ay of telling me to shower?”
Liv laughed. “No, it’s my way of saying I think you’re different. Well, we know you are. You’re definitely in one of the Mortal Seven families, but I believe you are one of the Mortal Seven.”
“Okay, but why now? Why are you so concerned about figuring this out now?”
“Because I think I know how,” Liv said. She pointed at the Jack Russell terrier at her feet, who had his tongue hanging out of his mouth and that same hyper expression he usually regarded her with. “You’ve had Pickles since I met you, right?”
John seemed thrown off by this question. “Well, yeah. Pickles was why we talked. I remember the day I met you outside the shop. You were dressed in that black hoodie and staring around like you were lost. I was just going to dismiss you as some hoodlum, casing the shop.”
“Hey, now!” Liv protested.
John waved her off. “But Pickles ran straight up to you and jumped up on your leg. He only does that with people who are good through and through, so I knew you were all right. Then we got to talking, and you said you were looking for work and a place to live, and as they say, the rest is history.”
Liv nodded, remembering the moment clearly. “And how long have you had Pickles?”
The dog tilted his head to the side like he was considering this question too.
John tapped his finger on his chin. “Oh, it’s been a long time. I got him right before I opened the shop. I’m trying to remember when that was.”
“John, you’ve had the shop for over thirty years!”
He gave her an astonished expression. “Yeah, you’re right. Pickles showed up on my doorstep soon after Chloe left me.”
John frowned as the thought of his magician ex-wife drifted across his mind.
“John, you’re telling me this dog is over thirty years old, and you’ve never thought twice about it?” Liv asked in disbelief.
He bent down and patted the terrier on the head. “Well, I feed him only the best, and we have three walks a day, although my knees are starting to bother me of late, so maybe we’ll scale them back to two.”
Liv shook her head. “It doesn’t matter what you feed a dog. For him to be over thirty years old is unheard of.”
“Well, what are you saying?” John asked, confusion making the wrinkles on his face deepen.
“John, each of the Mortal Seven is guarded by a magical animal,” Liv began. “I’ve spent some time tracking down the way to make these seemingly normal animals take their actual form. I firmly believe Pickles is your chimera.”
“Which means?” John asked.
“If he is, it’s a hundred percent certainty that you’re one of the Mortal Seven.”
John combed his hand over his head, suddenly looking serious. “My Pickles. You think he’s this Camaro?”
“Chimera,” Liv corrected. “And maybe. Or you’re just the best dog owner in the world. But there’s only one way to find out.”
John looked at the dog and then Liv several times. “Okay. I guess I’ll never be really ready for this moment. Do what you’ve got to do.”
Liv took a step back, not sure exactly the words of the song Rooster gave to her.
“Wait,” John interrupted as she tried to find the tune in her head.
“What?” Liv asked.
“If Pickles changes, will he always be…well, you know, different? I’m not sure I can explain that to my customers.”
“Well, remember that magic is real for everyone now,” Liv said with a smile. “But one of the things I learned from Bermuda is that chimeras have the ability to shift to their regular form and a more acceptable one. It’s just that the ones attached to the Mortal Seven have been locked in their disguises because magic was hidden from mortals. I think it was to preserve them and protect the Seven.”
John nodded. “Okay, well, do your hocus pocus then. I hope it doesn’t hurt.”
Liv smiled. “I don’t think you’ll feel a thing.”
She knelt and petted Pickles on the head. The sweet dog licked her fingers, and strangely, the words she couldn’t remember flowed effortlessly off her tongue. She heard herself singing, and even without music accompanying her voice, she sounded beautiful. The words she sang were hard to understand, and yet their message was something she knew in her heart: All is love.
When the words ran out, Liv pushed back to her feet.
“Liv, I had no idea you could sing,” John said, smiling at her.
“I couldn’t until recently.”
“Is that it?” John asked.
Liv studied the dog, who was staring up at her expectantly. “I don’t know. I haven’t done this before.”
“Well, nothing has seemed to happen. What does that mean?”
Liv sighed. “I think it means you’re not one of the Mortal Seven, but it doesn’t change anything. You’re still the best mortal in the world.”
John’s eyes twinkled. “Well, I appreciate that. And I’m sure you’ll find your Carraway for the House of Fourteen. It just isn’t me.”
Liv nodded, her heart heavy. “I’ll let you get some sleep. I’m sorry for bothering you so late.”
He waved her off. “Don’t be. Actually, I’m feeling quite awake now.” He slapped his knees, looking down at Pickles. “Who would like a bonus walk?”
The dog yelped.
“It’s settled,” John stated, grabbing the leash from the countertop. “We will walk you out. A bit of fresh air will do me good.”
Liv nodded, not saying another word as she watched Pickles twirl, excited to go on a late-night walk.
“Well, hold still, would you?” John urged.
The dog barked at him, making him laugh even more.
“Are you sure about the extra walk?” Liv asked. “What about your knee?”
He tested it. “It actually feels really good right now.”
“I’m glad for that,” Liv said. “Maybe it was Clark’s cake.”
“Yes, and all your friend’s positive energy,” John said, picking up the keys for the door as they exited.
When they were in the hallway of the apartment, Liv forced a smile on her face. “Well, thanks for humoring me, John. You and Pickles have a good night. I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Why don’t you sleep in?” he suggested.
“But I always open,” she argued.
“Yeah, but I think you need to sleep. And I’d like to get down there early and work on some projects.” There was new excitement buzzing behind John’s eyes.
“Okay, well, whatever you want. I’m sure Sophia would like the chance to cuddle up and watch cartoons.”
“Yes,” John stated with a smile. “You spend the time with that lovely girl. I’ll see you when you get in.”
“Thanks, John,” Liv said, turning for her apartment. She was almost to her door when John exclaimed, making her spin back around.
“What is it?” Liv didn’t have to wait for his answer to know what had startled him.
He was standing right where she’d left him, holding onto Pickles’ leash, but John suddenly appeared to be ten years younger.
Liv rushed over. “John, what happened?”
He felt his face. Ran his hands over his head, which was no longer mostly bald. Shook his head. “I don’t know. I suddenly felt taller and more energetic. How do I look?”
She nodded. “You’re younger.”
When he smiled, the usual wrinkles didn’t spring to his eyes. “Well, I’ll be. How did you do that?”
Liv shook her head. “I don’t know. Sophia is getting older, and meanwhile, you’re getting younger. It doesn’t make any—”
She didn’t get a chance to finish her sentence because right then, Pickles transformed, growing to three times his size. His face morphed until it was that of a lion. His tail elongated, a serpent’s head forming on its end. Pickle’s entire body contorted, taking on several appearances until it was rippling with muscles. And from his back sprouted the neck and head of a goat.
Liv had never seen a creature so strange and yet so beautiful. And what set it off, nearly making her burst out laughing, was that John was still holding onto the leash like he was going to take the little dog for a walk.
“Well, this is odd,” John said, looking at his pet and Liv in quiet disbelief.
She squealed, racing forward and throwing her arms around John. His frame wasn’t boney like it had been before. He was strong, and hugged her back. Realizing that the magic trapped in his chimera had somehow healed him, Liv released John and then threw her arms around Pickles. “Thank you, thank you, thank you!” she rejoiced.
The chimera purred against her, as gentle as when he had been a terrier, pressing his soft mane into her face.
When she released the magical creature, she was surprised to find tears streaming down her cheeks.
“Oh, now, what are you crying about?” John asked, seeming more surprised by her tears than by the fact that his thirty-year-old terrier had been a magical creature in disguise. “Is it because this proves that I’m a Mortal Seven?”
Liv nodded and then shook her head. “It proves that, meaning my normal life has just collided with my magical one. But that’s not all.”
He smiled sympathetically at her. “Liv, I think we both know you’ve never had two separate lives. You only ever thought you did.”
She was astonished at how strangely wise he sounded. It was John’s voice, but he was different somehow; well, besides looking ten years younger. “But John, the chimera is supposed to protect its Mortal Seven. That’s why you’re younger.”
“I’m younger? Are you sure?” he asked, running his hand over his head again. “I thought I felt more hair up there. Are you positive?”
She conjured a mirror and handed it to him, holding her breath as he peered into it.
His eyes widened in shock. “Well, I’ll be. I look better than when I’ve slept for twelve hours!”
“And that means releasing the chimera has healed you. John, you’ll live longer now, and you’ll help us to protect magic, as I realize now was always a part of your destiny.”
