Adapt Or Be Crushed (The Exceptional S. Beaufont Book 9)

by Sarah Noffke

  “No, they’re definitely magical creatures,” Hiker grumbled.

  “I’m a magical creature and you created me,” Evan argued.

  “You’re an anomaly that Mama Jamba found in the proverbial dumpster in the alleyway of the Earth,” Wilder joked.

  Evan rolled his eyes. “This planet doesn’t have a back alley.”

  “That’s what you’re choosing to argue with out of what I said?” Wilder asked.

  Evan sat up and pulled his legs off Mama Jamba. “I’m a mature married man now. I don’t have time for your games and antics anymore. You’d know what I mean if you made Sophia an honest woman.”

  “No one else is getting married,” Hiker ordered.

  “Not your call, son,” Mama Jamba sang.

  “Anyway, as I was saying,” Hiker continued, “there’s a danger in the Mediterranean sea off the coast of Turkey. It’s already taken down a ship and a plane in that area, and I fear more mortals will be threatened unless we intervene soon.”

  “What kind of monster are we facing, sir?” Mahkah asked, his chin held high and his eyes focused.

  “Monsters,” Hiker corrected. “No one knows where they came from, but there’s suddenly two monsters creating havoc in the sea. One is in the water and is known as a leviathan—”

  “Nasty little creatures.” Mama Jamba clicked her tongue and shook her head.

  “Little isn’t a word I’ve ever heard to describe a leviathan,” Hiker stated.

  “What exactly is a leviathan?” Evan asked and then quickly added. “I mean, I know, of course. But from the dazed look on Wilder’s face, I’m guessing he needs an education on the subject.”

  Wilder laughed. “Leviathan is a sea serpent of sorts, closely related to that monster that lives in the Pond. I had the pleasure of being real up close and personal with it before.”

  Hiker nodded. “That’s correct. This leviathan is reportedly much larger than any other sighted. It is apparently bigger than Lunis at his largest at this point.”

  Lunis was the largest dragon at the Gullington when he did his supersized stunt, but that was usually only a full moon. Otherwise it was very draining for him and not worth the risk.

  “Wow, we’re going to have fun putting this beast into submission,” Evan said with an excited laugh.

  “That’s what your wife said,” Wilder teased.

  “It will be a handful, I assure you,” Hiker stated. “And one leviathan would be enough to keep you all busy. However, there’s another monster in the sky that will also pose a real challenge.”

  “A pesky little thing,” Mama Jamba said, then started humming.

  “Again, little isn’t an accurate description,” Hiker stated.

  “I like that you use terms like pesky to describe these monsters who could end us, Mama Jamba.” Wilder smiled down at the small woman.

  “Well, those birds are a real nuisance,” Mother Nature related. “They’ve been impersonating my beloved phoenix for ages, although they have all the flair and none of the benevolence, if you ask me.”

  “We’re not, unless you’re giving us a shortcut and telling us how to end them quickly,” Hiker said dryly.

  “I’d recommend a giant sling shot,” Mama Jamba offered.

  “Oh shucks.” Wilder chuckled. “I left my slingshot in my tree house.”

  “Poor planning on your part, bro,” Evan stated.

  “So what exactly is this bird we’re facing?” Sophia asked.

  “It’s called a simurgh,” Hiker stated.

  “Easy for you to say.” Evan laughed. “Why can’t these monsters have easy names like Zot or Zart or Zap.”

  “Those are easy names for you, huh?” Wilder asked. “Do you prefer things that start with a z?”

  “I prefer when you’re quiet,” Evan stated.

  “The simurgh appeared at exactly the same time as the leviathan,” Hiker informed them. “No one knows where they came from, and they’re relying on us to get rid of them. We’re the only ones in the position to take them down.”

  “We can do it, sir,” Mahkah said with confidence.

  “I hope you’re right,” Hiker stated in a heavy tone. “Because if those things are left unchecked much longer, then many lives will be in danger.”

  Chapter Fifty-Four

  “Do you think she misses me?” Evan asked over the comm they all wore to communicate from their dragons.

  “Who?” Wilder’s voice asked in her ear.

  “My wife,” Evan answered as they rode on their dragons in formation over the sparkling blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea—Sophia in the front and Mahkah in the rear.

  “What’s her name again?” Wilder asked.

  “Something, something Freud,” Evan answered.

  “Sounds like true love.” Wilder laughed.

  “Doctor Tiffannee Freud,” Sophia stated. “And it’s Tiffannee with two f’s, two n’s, and two e’s.”

  “She sounds annoying,” Wilder said. “But she’s married to Evan so it must run in the family.”

  Sophia studied the area around them from Lunis’ back, looking for signs of the leviathan in the waters below. Mahkah’s job was to look for the simurgh in the skies. The other guys were to keep their eyes focused ahead for other potential dangers. They knew there were two monsters, but that didn’t mean there weren’t more.

  It wasn’t lost on Sophia that these two dangerous creatures had materialized in the same spot at the same time. There had to be someone behind this. Maybe someone who wanted to create havoc and harm many. Maybe someone who knew the Dragon Elite would come to the rescue and want to take them down. Definitely someone evil was behind this. But they’d have to research that more later. Right now the biggest concern was stopping the beasts before they did any more harm.

  In the distance, Sophia spotted some of the damage created by the leviathan. A ship was overturned, debris from it floating in the choppy waters.

  It was hard to discern what belonged to the small vessel and to a single engine plane that the simurgh had taken down. The pair had worked fast, clearing the waters and skies in the coastal region off Turkey.

  What’s the strategy once we find the monsters? Lunis asked in her head.

  Survive and kill them, Sophia stated with confidence.

  Wow, the amount of details you’ve put into the plan is simply overwhelming, Lunis joked.

  Sophia didn’t usually go straight to the idea of killing, but Hiker had been very clear about his orders. There was no negotiating with these monsters. Taming a leviathan was out of the question. And persuading a simurgh to move on when it had made claim to an area had never happened. Once the two set down anchors, so to speak, they simply expanded their territory until they’d wiped out resources, buildings, and landscapes and of course, slaughtered people and other animals.

  Do you have any bright ideas? Sophia asked her dragon as they veered through the sky and the wind rushed through her hair.

  I have a ton of them, Lunis stated.

  Feeling a renewed sense of hope, Sophia tightened her grip on the reins. Oh, do tell then? How do you propose we take out these monsters?

  Oh, you wanted bright ideas related to the leviathan and simurgh? Lunis asked. You should have been more specific. I thought you meant in general. ‘Cause I’m working on all these new business ideas, like a prescription windshield for those who always forget their glasses but need to drive.

  That’s the worst idea I’ve ever heard, Sophia stated.

  All great truths begin as blasphemy, Lunis retorted.

  Please don’t start speaking in quotes. Sophia thought it would be weird if her dragon quoted George Bernard Shaw all the time. Well, weirder.

  My point is that the best inventions were originally thought to be insane, Lunis said. I’m like Google or Facebook or Crocs before they were big.

  Crocs are still the worst invention ever, Sophia imparted. Like, no one looks good in those ever.

  What about Wilder? Lunis qu
estioned.

  He’s different, Sophia argued. He looks good no matter what.

  It had been quiet in Sophia’s head for a while when Mahkah’s voice echoed in her ears. “It’s time for us to break formation.”

  “I believe that’s supposed to be Pink Princess’s order to make,” Evan argued. “She’s the power-hungry one who is to boss us around, according to Hiker.”

  “Okay, then so be it,” Mahkah said good-naturedly. “I’ve spotted the simurgh, and it’s directly above us behind a large cloud.”

  Sophia’s head jerked up. The sunlight overhead nearly blinded her for a moment. “Let’s break formation. That’s an order.”

  Chapter Fifty-Five

  If Sophia didn’t know what she was looking for, she wouldn’t have seen the simurgh lurking behind a large, puffy white cloud. Its orange feathers blended in with the sunlight that radiated overhead, making it look like part of the afternoon sky.

  As they had planned, Wilder and Evan split off from the group on their dragons and streaked in opposite directions. Mahkah held the position below the simurgh, and Sophia and Lunis rode farther away to get some distance.

  When she turned, Sophia got a real glimpse of the giant bird. If she didn’t know how deadly the creature was, she would have taken a moment to be in awe of its beauty. The bird resembled the fiery-looking phoenix, although it was much, much larger—about the size of a small plane. It had long wings covered in shimmering orange feathers, a white mohawk on its head, and a long tail that streaked through the air like a kite in the wind.

  “Maybe it hasn’t seen us yet and we can still have the element of surprise,” Evan stated over the comm.

  The simurgh opened its beak, and a sound that was half way between a murderous scream and a melodic melody ripped from the monster’s mouth. Then it shot its head down and stared straight at Sophia, its eyes black and an unmistakable sinister glint in its gaze.

  “I think that ship has sailed and the big bird knows we’re here,” Wilder remarked as he spiraled through the air on Simi, making quick progress.

  To Sophia’s horror, Howard had a human-like face with cheekbones and slanted large eyes and a chin.

  Howard? Really? Lunis questioned. I think he looks more like a Jeffrey.

  We’re going with Howard, Sophia stated as the large bird dove straight in her direction while barely moving its wings. It simply pointed its head downward and shot in their direction with its orange wings spread wide on either side of it.

  Lunis sprang into action by diving low as well and speeding toward the shore some miles away. They didn’t want to lead Howard toward the others. However, plans quickly changed as the leviathan surfaced, sprang straight up into the air from the Mediterranean Sea, and created a wall right in front of them.

  Chapter Fifty-Six

  “Watch out!” Wilder called in Sophia’s ears.

  “I see it,” she replied, suddenly breathless as she and Lunis lost altitude, her ears popping.

  “How could you not see it?” Evan replied. “That thing is massive.”

  Sophia didn’t have much of an opportunity to take in the leviathan’s size as she attempted to get out of its path. The thing was like a skyscraper that sprang up from the waters and towered above them. Water sprayed out from every direction, and the sea below was dark and suddenly churning violently.

  Lunis acted fast and veered in multiple directions, increasing his speed to get out of the sea monster’s path. Like Howard, the creature let out a battle cry—this one sounded like a dragon’s roar if they were choking on water at the same time.

  Water sprang up, blasting with a dangerous force that Sophia knew would blow them off course if they were hit. Thankfully, Lunis weaved around the geysers and narrowly got them a safe distance away from the leviathan before turning around.

  That’s when they both took in the sea monster’s size. Of all the things the pair had seen, the leviathan was by far the most horrifying.

  Chapter Fifty-Seven

  “Holy hell!” Evan exclaimed in Sophia’s ears. “Hello Satan, how are you today?”

  Sophia bit her tongue, her eyes wide as she took in the massive form. It was the size of a skyscraper, both in width and height. The monster waved in the air as if deciding whether to topple over, and displaced a huge chunk of the sea.

  Carl, as Sophia had instantly nicknamed him, was easily the width of a city block and at least twenty stories tall. Long spikes covered various parts of its body and tentacle-like appendages stretched up from its thick midsection, slapping the water like whips.

  The monster had a long snout like an alligator and multiple rows of tiny sharp teeth. Its glowing red eyes seemed too small for its head, but still had the ability to evoke fear in Sophia as Carl whipped its head around and stared straight at her and Lunis.

  Do you know what worries me about Carl? Lunis asked in Sophia’s head.

  Besides the obvious fact that it could swallow us whole with very little effort? She asked as her dragon flapped his wings and kept them hovering in place. The leviathan was also simply hovering, seeming to consider its next move.

  Overhead, Sophia only caught partial sight of Howard streaking through the air followed by shades of purple, white and brown as the other riders and their dragons “managed” the beast. She was aware of the guy’s voices in her ears, but ignored them—focusing most of her attention on the leviathan in front of her.

  It appeared that Carl was all hers at this point. A real David and Goliath story, she thought.

  What worries me is what we can’t see, Lunis continued, referring to Carl.

  You mean like what’s under the water?

  Yeah, like a swan, Lunis answered. You see this elegant bird on top of the water all floating along, but under the surface of the water, its legs are working like mad to propel it along.

  I’m not sure that relating Carl to a pretty little swan gliding along is the right reference. Sophia was having a staring contest with the leviathan. It wasn’t splattering the top of the sea with its long snake-like tentacles anymore. Instead they wiggled in the air as the monster swayed, its mouth open wide—a black cavernous space as big as a truck.

  My point is that I wonder what’s below the water.

  I’m guessing fins and a tail and other things that keep it afloat, Sophia stated. Why does it matter?

  Because there isn’t much in the collective consciousness of the dragon ancestors about leviathans, but there is something, Lunis explained.

  Sophia tensed and prepared herself for bad news based on the tone in his voice. And that would be?

  A leviathan’s weak spot is on the middle section of their body, which based on my estimates, is under the water’s surface.

  Chapter Fifty-Eight

  Why isn’t she moving? Wilder thought erratically, constantly looking over his shoulder to spy on Sophia far below them.

  Focus, Simi encouraged in his head. She’ll be fine.

  Or she won’t, he argued. She’s facing a large sea monster…by herself.

  It hadn’t been planned that Sophia would face the leviathan on her own. However, as things often happen in battle, the plans had instantly changed. Originally, they’d planned that Wilder and Mahkah would battle the simurgh and Evan and Sophia would take care of the leviathan. Now judging by the beasts’ size, it seemed like a joke for all four of them to handle it and ironically it was only Sophia.

  But Evan hadn’t been given a break since the simurgh spied him after Sophia raced off, trying to flee the leviathan. Now the large bird was hot on his and Coral’s trail, not granting them a moment of relief. It made the most sense for Evan to help with the sea monster since Coral’s element was water and Lunis was the moon which controlled the tides.

  As much as Wilder wanted to spring away and help Sophia, he knew that he and Mahkah had the best chances of defeating the simurgh. Simi’s element was the wind, which would hopefully give them the advantage they needed over the murderous bird. Mahkah’s
and Tala’s was the Earth, but his special contribution was that no one understood animals that had flight better than the Native American. It was best if Wilder and Mahkah kept their focus on the simurgh, but what they had to do first was give Evan a way of escaping the chase.

  Pressing his heels into Simi, Wilder leaned low.

  Let’s try something unorthodox, he growled.

  What’s that? Simi asked.

  Let’s take the danger off Evan and put it on us.

  Chapter Fifty-Nine

  The very best thing about Evan McIntosh was his lack of fear in the face of danger.

  The very worst thing about Evan McIntosh was his total lack of fear when in the face of danger.

  This quality of his had gotten him into his fair share of trouble and had also been the reason for many of his successes, which benefited the world at large.

  When Evan had seen the simurgh dart after Sophia and also the leviathan rise from the Mediterranean sea before anyone else, he’d made an impromptu decision to serve as a distraction to get the giant bird’s attention off Sophia. If he hadn’t, then Sophia would have been stuck when the sea creature sprang from the waters.

  But thanks to Evan’s quick thinking and bravery, Sophia was safe once more. He made a note to remind her of it later, and often after that.

  However, the flaw in that plan was that now Evan had the simurgh hot on his ass with no hint of letting up.

  Evan streaked through the air atop Coral, flipped head forward like a swimmer changing directions in the pool, then raced the opposite way. The ocean below them was feeding Coral’s speed, but where her advantages came into play was in the actual water, where Evan was supposed to be saving Sophia’s butt.

  The simurgh screeched like a scorned girl caught in yet another compromising position.