Magitech Rises (The Exceptional S. Beaufont Book 3)

by Sarah Noffke

  Sophia gave her an affectionate smile. “You think there was ever a potential for us to have normal jobs and not ones where grappling hooks were a part of our routine?”

  “Not a chance,” Liv said, striding into the electronics shop.

  Pickles, the Jack Russell terrier, greeted them by barking while he danced around their feet in excitement.

  Sophia leaned down and gave the dog a quick pet before smiling at Alicia, who was working at a nearby station.

  “Good timing,” the scientist said, screwing something into the back of a small silver disc. “I was just finishing up the tracking device.”

  “Oh!” Sophia exclaimed. “You were able to create something?”

  Alicia turned the small object over. It resembled a compass, although there were a lot more symbols on it other than just north, south, east, and west. “I think so, although it still needs to be calibrated. And…” Her face fell with concern.

  “What?” Sophia asked, sensing the hesitation.

  “Well, this device can find great sources of magitech,” Alicia explained. “Which will lead you to possible locations for this Thad Reinhart.”

  “But it could also lead us in the wrong direction,” Sophia guessed.

  The scientist nodded. “What you’d need to ensure it sends you in the right direction is some sort of connection to the person you’re trying to find. That way magitech takes a two-pronged approached. It first searches for high levels of magitech energy, then narrows them down based on DNA. I realize you probably don’t have some hair samples of Thad lying around.”

  “Actually, what about blood from a really close relative?” Sophia asked.

  Alicia’s face brightened. “That could work, but how close? Like, distant cousin would get you close, but probably not enough.”

  “Would twin brother work?” Sophia asked.

  Alicia slipped the compass-like device into a small velvet pouch and handed it to Sophia. “Yes, that’s perfect, actually. Have this twin brother follow the instructions I’ve included in the pouch to connect the device to Thad. If done correctly, it will take up to two days to activate.”

  “I hope you have that kind of time,” Liv said, giving Sophia an uncertain expression.

  She nodded. “We’ve allowed it all to go on this long. Another few days won’t change much.” She hoped she was right.

  “Okay, that’s good news,” Alicia said, digging into a toolbox on the workstation. “I have something else for you, too.”

  Liv rubbed her hands together. “Isn’t she great? Always supplying us with magitech gadgets? Last month she made me a device that puts people to sleep at the click of a button.”

  Alicia smiled. “Just don’t use it on me and we’re good.”

  “I’d love it if you used it on me,” Sophia shared. “Falling asleep is difficult these days.”

  “Well, when you have the mission of saving the world, even counting sheep doesn’t calm one’s mind,” Liv related.

  “Especially if the sheep are all atheists,” Sophia joked, earning confused expressions from the other two ladies. “Anyway, you have something for me?”

  Alicia nodded, handing her a small black box. “That is a frequency regulator. I won’t bore you with the details but—”

  “Will you bore me with the details later?” Liv asked, eyeing the device with interest. Sophia’s older sister had loved mortal electronics since the beginning, which parlayed into her initial career working at the electronics store for John Caraway. Later, when she had her magic unlocked and became a Warrior for the House of Fourteen, it was only natural for her interests to make her a magitech nut.

  “You bet,” Alicia answered before returning her attention to Sophia. “Now, this device can be your best friend or worst enemy, depending on how you use it.”

  “I’m intrigued,” Liv said, leaning forward.

  “If you’re reliant on any magitech, then this will undermine your efforts,” Alicia explained. “Fortunately, the compass I gave you won’t be tampered with by you using this. However, if you are using any other magitech, it will make it ineffective.”

  “But the point is it will also bring down any of Thad Reinhart’s magitech, right?” Sophia asked.

  “That’s the idea,” Alicia agreed. “It sends out a frequency that should take the electronics offline, but depending on its level of power, it might just knock it out for a brief period. Hopefully, that’s enough time to get you through a security measure or give you a way to figure out a strategy for combat.”

  Sophia eyed the device, holding it affectionately. “It’s the best advantage we could ask for at this point since we have no idea what we’re facing.”

  Liv clapped a solid hand on her shoulder, giving her sister a sturdy expression. “You may not know what you’re facing, but I feel sorrier for the opposing side because they have no idea what’s coming for them. You’ll knock them out, Soph.”

  Chapter One Hundred Fifteen

  “Point and shoot?” Wilder questioned. “That’s what she said?”

  Sophia nodded. “Yeah, Liv said there wasn’t really anything to using the grappling hook. Just prepare to get hauled off my butt.”

  Wilder laughed. “Yeah, but if you don’t know what you’re doing, you can get hauled in all the wrong places.”

  The pair stood next to a rock wall on the far side of the Expanse, the Castle a backdrop to the training session. He patted his midsection. “When that grappling hook attaches to its target, you want to be prepared. If your core isn’t engaged, the ride is going to be a bit uncomfortable, and the landing might rearrange your face, which would be a shame. It’s key you’re ready before you shoot. And then when it anchors, be ready and also when you land.”

  “Engage my core,” Sophia repeated. “Cool, I can do that. It’s like doing Pilates.”

  “What?” Wilder questioned.

  “You know, Pilates?” she repeated. “The exercises you do on a reformer machine?”

  He shook his head. “Is that a type of magic? What kind of spells does it call for?”

  Sophia laughed. “Yoga pants and breath control. And no, it’s not magic, unless having good posture and lean muscles is magic.”

  “It might be,” Wilder pronounced. He positioned himself behind her, angling the hand holding the grappling hook at the rock wall. “Now, you want to be very precise with your aim, but also account for wind, temperature, air density, and any other factors that could throw it off.”

  “So, it’s like golfing?” Sophia asked.

  “Are all your references sports-related?” he questioned.

  “Not all of them,” she answered. “Sometimes they are pop culture, especially when I’m talking to Hiker because he doesn’t get them and they make him angry.”

  “Angrier,” Wilder corrected.

  “Right,” Sophia said, sandwiched in Wilder’s arms as he held her hands with the grappling hook steady.

  “Now, when you’re ready, point and shoot,” Wilder instructed.

  “Engage core, account for variables, and get ready for a wild ride,” Sophia said, listing the lessons she’d learned about grappling hooks.

  He stood back and released her. “Oh, no. This is a wild ride. When you use that grappling hook, you’re on your own.”

  “Ha-ha,” she said, shaking her head at him. “That was an awful joke.”

  His dimples surfaced as he shrugged. “I make no apologies for bad jokes.”

  Sophia looked back over her shoulder at him, aware she wasn’t focused on her target. “You really should.” Then she pressed the trigger, holding steady as the grappling hook shot toward the wall. Not even turning around, she smiled as it hit its target and tugged her up to the top of the rock structure. When she neared it, Sophia turned and stuck her feet up to lock her into place just as she connected with the wall.

  With a triumphant feeling pounding in her heart, she glanced down at Wilder with a proud smile. “How was that?”

  “It was
good, but you could have done it without showing off so much,” he said.

  “No, I couldn’t have,” she retorted.

  When Sophia had lowered back down to the ground, Wilder showed her a few more techniques for using the grappling hook. “Now, after this whole Thad business, we’ll have to take a break from your training for a bit.”

  “Because?” she questioned.

  “Because I have to step away for a little while,” he admitted, averting his eyes.

  “Step away?” she asked. “That’s what you have to do when you need to pop out for a cup of coffee or to run to the post office, but I get the impression there’s more to this field trip you’re planning.”

  “It’s a mission for Subner,” Wilder said in a low voice.

  “Oh,” she said with interest, putting her fist under her chin and regarding him with intense curiosity. “Let’s share secrets.”

  He shook his head. “You know I can’t. Subner asked for total confidentially with this one.”

  “But what if you need help?” Sophia questioned.

  “From an eighteen-year-old dragonrider?” Wilder questioned with great skepticism.

  Sophia scoffed. “How many days did you spend battling the dingoes in the Australian Outback?”

  He sighed. “All of the days.”

  “Yeah, so don’t underestimate youth,” she said.

  Wilder brushed long strands of hair off his shoulder rather dramatically. “Or beauty.”

  “Well, I won’t pressure you about this secret mission with Subner,” Sophia stated. “Hopefully, I’m nearing the end of my training anyway.”

  “You are definitely close to earning your wings as a rider and making things official,” Wilder agreed. “You should know training never ends for us. Hiker is adamant about that.” He pushed out his chest and straightened, doing his best Hiker Wallace impression. “The world doesn’t stop, and neither should we. Always be better than you were and the best you can be.”

  Sophia laughed, but honestly, she respected a motto like that. Hiker Wallace shouldn’t be underestimated, and she hoped all his years of training would soon pay off for them. Earth was relying on it.

  Chapter One Hundred Sixteen

  Sophia was returning from training with Wilder when she spotted Quiet, once more suspiciously scampering across the Expanse, looking over his shoulder like he was worried he was being followed. Again, he was headed toward a large cluster of rocks by the Pond.

  Having left Wilder on his own to do something mysterious he wouldn’t elaborate on, Sophia found herself alone and in a perfect position to follow the gnome and find out once and for all what he was hiding. It was obvious everyone at the Gullington had their secrets, and Sophia’s job was apparently to be a detective, unearthing them all.

  She crouched and turned on her stealth mode so she could follow the groundskeeper. Moving soundlessly across the Expanse, she cleared the space easily, not spotted by Quiet.

  He glanced over his shoulder in the opposite direction of where she was stationed before hurrying toward the rocks. She was so close. Finally, she’d see what he was up to.

  “BRRRINGGGG!”

  The ring of Sophia’s cellphone echoed across the grounds, making birds scatter from the field. Of course, the gnome turned with a scowl on his face, alerted to her presence.

  Sophia blushed as she pulled the phone from her cloak pocket. It continued to ring, a rude sound that had not only given her away but was incessant and annoying.

  “Hey,” she said, putting the device to her ear, not recognizing the number. That was typical for magitech phones. Often those who didn’t have her number could get it by using one.

  “Hey there, cousin,” said a voice on the other end of the line.

  Not aware of any cousins out in the world, Sophia frowned. “Cousin? Who is this?”

  “Don’t you recognize my voice?” the person asked, and right then, Sophia did. She also knew this person wasn’t related to her. They weren’t even the same species. Or on the same wavelength.

  “Hey, King Rudolf,” she said mock-cheerfully. “How’s it going? Did you lock yourself in a bathroom stall again? Maybe call Liv to get you out this time.”

  “I’m in a bathroom stall, but I can get out if I want to…I think,” he replied. “Anyway, I’m just calling you to say the triplets are on their way, and I need you here pronto.”

  “Oh,” she said, excitement filling her. “I’m thrilled you thought of me. I can’t wait to meet your babies, but I’m actually on the brink of trying to stop a world war.”

  “That sounds like it can wait,” Rudolf argued.

  “You do understand what a world war is, right?” she questioned.

  “You said ‘brink,’” Rudolf reasoned. “That sounds like you have some time. Wait until all chaos spills over the waterfall and crashes to the bottom. That’s when you swoop in. Don’t you know anything about being a hero?”

  Sophia shook her head. “Apparently, I don’t.”

  “Well, I’ve been doing this for many, many centuries, so trust my advice,” Rudolf yelled over a loud flushing sound. “Anyway, get here. I want you to meet my four children.”

  “Triplets,” Sophia corrected. “You’re having triplets.”

  “Exactly,” he agreed. “Which is why I need you here. There will be one baby for each of us to hold while Serena rests after childbirth, which isn’t a piece of cake, according to Bermuda Laurens. I’m guessing it’s more like a walk in the park. Anyway, I’ve called Liv and Rory and now you. That means there will be a baby for each of us to care for, so get over here now.”

  “Okay,” Sophia said, not having the heart to explain to Rudolf he was only having three children and didn’t really need her since it felt good to be needed by someone. For a girl who only had two blood relatives in the world, it was nice to have so many people who felt like family. It just proved to Sophia that sometimes you have the family you were born to, and sometimes you have the family you choose.

  Chapter One Hundred Seventeen

  “How did he take it?” Sophia asked when Liv returned from the delivery room, a speculative expression on her face.

  She nodded. “The king of the fae seems relieved he’s only having three babies.”

  Rory, the giant, shook his head. “You couldn’t have told him this information prior to now?”

  Liv laughed. “I didn’t see you pony up any information to him.”

  Rory, whose subdued nature was a stark contrast to Liv’s eccentric one, merely grunted. He was like Sophia’s Hiker. She annoyed the Viking like Liv did Rory. It was as if it gave their life meaning to irritate a large grown man.

  Maddy, Rory’s girlfriend, had been called in to help with the birth since giants were considered very pragmatic on such occasions. It had to do with their magic being connected to the Earth. This left Sophia, Liv, and Rory ample time to stare blankly at each other.

  The timing of the births couldn’t have been better for Sophia to take some time off. She’d given Hiker the compass from Alicia, and that had started the forty-eight hour time period. She was hoping by the time she returned to the Gullington, the compass would be pointing them toward Thad Reinhart.

  She could tell Hiker had mixed feelings about the whole thing. It had to be strange for him to be on the brink of confronting a great evil he was tied to. But he was the only one who could, and the time was quickly approaching. Worldwide events had heated up in the last twelve hours, tensions mounting between countries. War was inevitable for many.

  “They are here!” Rudolf exclaimed, running from the labor and delivery room. He engulfed Liv in a hug and then Rory, who looked repulsed by the gesture, and then finally Sophia.

  “They are healthy and have all eleven toes!” Rudolf declared.

  “Eleven?” Liv questioned.

  Rory shook his head. “All fae are born with eleven toes, but the weakest of them falls off later on.”

  Sophia grimaced. “That’s so bizarre.”


  “The babies are healthy, though?” Liv asked, appearing sentimental. “That’s great news, Rudolf.”

  “Yeah, and we can go through to the nursery in just a minute and hold them,” he explained, but then tucked his chin and leaned forward, cupping his mouth. “I’m going to warn you, they are awful-looking.”

  Liv’s eyes slid to Sophia and she had a cautious expression on her face. “Do fae children look like monsters when they are born?”

  Rory shook his head.

  “Oh, yes, they do,” Rudolf argued. “Their faces are all pinched and red, and they look like old men. It’s like they were crammed in a tiny compartment for a long time.”

  “So weird,” Sophia said with no inflection.

  “They don’t do much,” Rudolf said, leading them to another set of doors and looking over his shoulder at them. “Bermuda says they will probably just sleep for a long time.”

  “What were you expecting?” Liv dared to ask.

  He shrugged, opening the door. “I had planned a snowshoeing excursion, as well as some paddle boarding for next week, but they apparently can’t walk for like a year. I question that, though. Is it that they can’t, or they aren’t trying hard enough?”

  “Maybe with that extra toe, they’ll defy the odds,” Sophia offered.

  Three bassinets were lined up in a room adjacent to the birthing facility. In each of the beds was a tiny baby with a hat on its head, all wrapped up. All that could be seen were pinched red faces.

  “Please allow me to introduce you to my girls,” Rudolf said proudly.

  “They are all girls?” Liv asked, sounding excited.

  Rudolf nodded. “Yeah, although they can change their mind at any point. But for now, we’ll refer to them as girls.”

  He picked up the first one, who had a round face and wide eyes and her hand in her mouth. “This one is my firstborn and she is hungrier than most, according to Bermuda. She’s a Capricorn, and we named her Captain Morgan.” He handed the bundle to Liv, who hesitated at first, but after some trials, she slipped her hands around the baby and cuddled her to her chest.