by Sarah Noffke
Sophia nodded, stuffing the rest of the bagel into her mouth and chewing rapidly.
Then the answer is yes, Lunis replied, kneeling and extending his wing for Sophia so she could climb onto his back.
She wiped the crumbs off her hands and climbed into the saddle. It hadn’t been long since they’d flown together, the last time being on the way back from Sherwood Forest, however, going a day without her dragon was too much. Flying was more natural for Sophia than walking, it seemed. She didn’t just enjoy the rush of air and the high vantage point from the sky, she craved it like it fed her soul.
In a few graceful movements, Lunis took off, striding for the Barrier and launching into the sky once through.
Without a need to talk to communicate, Sophia created a portal to the magical circus where she’d last seen Bermuda Laurens and her menagerie of strange and amazing animals. As the premier expert on magical creatures, Bermuda Laurens was respected across all the races. If anyone could discredit the claim that dragons couldn’t spread this strange new disease, it would be the giantess. However, Bermuda Laurens wasn’t known for being helpful or getting involved in other’s affairs. Trying to convince her to help might be difficult.
Sophia hoped her intuition on this wasn’t correct, and the magical creature expert would be willing to help. If not, then she’d need a new plan before heading to the House of Fourteen, where the council would no doubt be in crisis mode and potentially prepared to distance from the Dragon Elite for the rest of time.
Chapter Thirty-Nine
If Sophia doubted whether the world at large was affected by Nevin Gooseman’s allegations, the short ride to the circus confirmed her fears. From the sky, she and Lunis witnessed people on the ground glare up at them in fear. Many ran for shelter. Some gave them challenging expressions that seemed to say, “Stay away, dragon.”
Before, the world had been fearful of the demon dragons. Somehow Nevin Gooseman had taken it a step further, making mortals and magical races despise and fearful of all dragons. It was all wrong, and it had to be stopped.
It hadn’t been that long ago that when Sophia and Lunis flew over cities, people looked up at them and cheered, excited and mystified to see an ancient dragon and rider soaring through the skies. The Dragon Elite had been revered for bringing down Thad Reinhart—a well-known tycoon responsible for enslaving mortals and polluting the planet. They had also been commended for defeating Mika Lenna, the CEO of the Saverus Corporation, which they’d exposed for abducting magicians and turning them into cyborgs.
The world had quickly forgotten these successes and now feared the very organization meant to protect them—the Dragon Elite. The irony wasn’t lost on Sophia.
What do you call a hippie’s wife? Lunis asked randomly.
Sophia furrowed her brow, pulling her gaze up from the ground. Say what?
It’s a pretty straight forward question, he stated. What do you call a hippie’s wife?
It’s a random question, is what it is.
Look, Soph. Stop worrying about those judgey mortals and magicians. You can’t change the way those rambling waffle jackers on the ground think, Lunis said calmly.
Can I change the way you call people names, though?
That’s unlikely, he told her. I’m trying to clean up my language so I’m going to start calling meanie people pita eaters or Lunchables.
I don’t really see the insult there, Sophia replied with a laugh. I didn’t know your language was a problem.
Oh yeah, I curse like a pirate when you’re not around.
I think the phrase is that you curse like a sailor.
No, he argued. I’m constantly talking about Bell’s booty and rolling my Rs when I growl.
I had no idea…
And I happen to enjoy Lunchables and pitas, so it goes to reason that I plan on snacking on these people I’m name-calling. Lunis sounded rather amused.
I didn’t know that you liked Lunchables, Sophia remarked. It would take like a few hundred to fill you up.
Of course, I like them, he said, sounding insulted. They are great for when I’m on the go.
Why is it that you often sound like a soccer mom?
Because I’m practical and sporty, he answered. I draw the line at wearing sneakers with a dress. That’s just bad taste, Karen.
There are so many things to question about what you’ve just said.
Anywho, as I was saying—
Lunchables are really high in sodium, Sophia interrupted.
Thanks, doc, but I think I’ll be all right.
Because you’re a dragon and protected by the chi of your ancestors? Sophia asked.
Because I work out, he corrected.
Okay, before the conversation totally got derailed by your sudden relation to soccer moms, I think you were about to say something sagely. What was it?
I’ll tell you, Lunis began. First, remind me later that I need to stop by a TJ Max.
A laugh burst out of Sophia’s mouth. She hadn’t expected Lunis to say that or any of this. That’s why he was the best.
Why do you need to stop by that store? Sophia asked. Is it to get shoes that match your dress so you don’t make the same bad life decisions as Karen?
He shook his head, which she spied from his back. No, I’m getting those at Target. Anyway, TJ Max has a really cool As Seen on TV section. I really want to get one of those veggie slicers that turns zucchini into pasta.
Because?
Because then I can have low-carb spaghetti, duh.
So, you don’t care about your sodium intake, but you’re watching carbs?
If you were up on the trends, you’d know that no one is eating carbs right now, Lunis stated, sounding very smug. Carbs are out. Keto is in.
So sorry, Sophia said. I’ve been busy trying to cure Ainsley and find the abducted king of the fae and cure magicians of a mysterious illness.
Excuses, Lunis retorted.
Okay, well, as soon as I get a break, I’ll attend a Pampered Chef party with you, she joked.
He scoffed. Again, you’re so out of touch. Pampered Chef parties are like totally 2015. I bet you’re still listening to Call Me Maybe and wearing floral prints.
Did you just reference a Carly Rae Jepsen song?
Hey, I just met you, and this is crazy, Lunis began to sing. But here’s my number, so call me, maybe.
What is happening, Sophia asked in disbelief.
I’m taking your mind off your troubles, Lunis said, a smile in his voice.
She grinned. Yes, you are. Thank you.
Soph, we’re going to fix the world. They will see us for the heroes that we are again. But it will take time and strategy. In the meantime, don’t let those cracker jacks get you down. Let the Karens of the world think what they want until we have the proof to show them how wrong they are. Then they will be worshipping us and begging for our help once again.
Sophia nodded. Good advice. When did Karens get to be poked fun at so much? I feel sorry for them.
It’s just a phase and will pass, Lunis told her. Next year it will be Olivia’s. Everyone will be like, don’t pull another Olivia. Or man, that girl is a real Olivia.
Sophia shook her head. She doesn’t go by that name, she said, referring to her sister.
Huh, Lunis asked. What do you mean?
Liv, she answered. She doesn’t go by Olivia.
Liv who? he asked. I don’t know who you mean.
My sister, she said blankly.
Oh, is that her name, he teased. I thought she was a Karen.
Sophia laughed.
Okay, back to my question, he continued. What do you call a hippie’s wife?
I don’t know, she answered. Sunbeam? Echo? Starla?
Mississippi, he said with a laugh.
Oh wow, that’s really bad.
If you think that one was bad, check this one out. Lunis cleared his throat like he was a comedian standing on stage about to do his routine. Why did the can crusher quit his job?
Why?
Because it was soda pressing, he said with a laugh
Sophia groaned. You and Lee should do a lunch date to exchange material. You both have jokes that kill.
I hate Russian dolls, Lunis interrupted as they approached the big top at the back of the circus where Bermuda Laurens was stationed with her magical creatures.
Oh yeah? Sophia asked. Why do you hate Russian dolls?
Because they are so full of themselves, he explained, laughing at his joke again.
And here I thought the jokes couldn’t get any worse, she said.
I’ll be here all week, Lunis assured her, coming in for a landing. Be sure to tip your waitress, and try the veal.
Chapter Forty
Lunis had made Sophia feel much better, taking her mind off of the Lunchables on the ground that were casting repulsed stares at them.
She was so lightened she didn’t pay any notice to the circus performers strolling the grounds who gave them a wide berth when they landed in front of the big top. Sophia knew the giantess didn’t like unexpected interruptions, but there was no way to give the magical creatures expert a heads up she was arriving.
The last time she’d been inside the big top full of exotic animals, she’d spooked Venice, the winged lion, causing all sorts of problems. For that reason, Sophia poked her head through the flaps as quietly as possible.
She should have been surprised to see a large blindfolded snake staring at her when she looked into the tent, but at this point, her threshold for such things was pretty low.
Standing beside the snake, which was the size of an anaconda but was not one, since it was in the magical circus, was none other than Bermuda Laurens. The pair, both being oversized, made each other look normal. Just a girl and her blindfolded snake, Sophia thought with a silent laugh.
“Um, hello,” Sophia whispered, gaining Bermuda’s attention.
“Hello,” Bermuda said, not taking her eyes off the large snake. “Come on in, and yes, you can bring Lunis in here.”
“Oh, thanks.” Sophia pulled back the flap of the tent all the way to make room for Lunis to enter beside her. He ducked under the low hanging part of the tent and slid into the space that was full of strange creatures, many making curious sounds.
“How did you know I had Lunis with me?” Sophia asked, trying to keep her focus on the giantess, although many strange sights around the big top were vying for her attention.
“Beside the fact that I could smell him?” Bermuda asked.
Sophia sniffed the air. “I’ve told him to bathe regularly, but that’s about as likely as him eating carbs, apparently.”
The giantess shook her head, still studying the large snake. “No, dragons have a very distinct smell. Also, Johnathon told me that you’d be visiting.” She indicated a centaur standing in a golden ring at the back of the tent.
The big top had seven golden rings, and in the center of each was a magical creature, all of them different from the last time that Sophia visited.
“Oh, and centaurs can see the future, isn’t that right?” Sophia asked.
Bermuda shook her head, giving Sophia her usual “you understand very little” expression. “They don’t think of it that way. For them, there is no future or past. Time isn’t linear. They see the fabric of time woven together in a different way than the rest of us.”
Sophia wanted to argue that this was a game of semantics, but that wasn’t going to gain her any favors with the grumpy giantess. Instead, she cast her gaze at the back, smiling at the half horse, half man. His blond hair was braided down his back, and he had an expression of pure superiority plastered across his face.
“It’s pretty incredible that you have a centaur in the show,” Sophia said, keeping her voice down in case this offended Jonathon. Centaurs were notorious for being separate from society and not cooperating with other magical races.
“Jonathon understands that we’re in a vulnerable time globally,” Bermuda informed her, stepping away from the blindfolded snake. “He agreed to help me in the name of promoting education. Mortals are starting to disrespect the power of magical creatures. They went from not seeing them, to taking them for granted or thinking they are freaks. I’m running this show as a way of trying to fix the problems that have arisen.”
Sophia nodded. “Yes, that’s actually why I’m here.”
“I know why you’re here,” Bermuda said at once.
“Oh.” Sophia gave Lunis an uncertain expression. He was appraising the creatures in the tent. “Is that because Jonathon told you?”
Bermuda shook her head. “No, it’s because I have a brain and know that you’re in trouble. People fear dragons. Nevin Gooseman has created many problems for you and the Dragon Elite. It is those problems which are spreading across the globe, making mortals distrustful of all magical creatures.”
“So you can help me, then?” Sophia asked, grateful that this might go more smoothly than she thought.
“I’m not sure that I can.” Bermuda stroked the snake affectionately. Like a cuddly puppy, it pressed back into her palm, seeming to enjoy the attention.
“But you’re an expert on magical creatures,” Sophia argued. “I was hoping you could supply a statement to the public, informing them that dragons aren’t responsible for spreading this ailment to magicians and elves.”
Bermuda sighed, returning her gaze to Sophia once more. “I’m afraid that me being an expert in magical creatures right now is about like being a computer technician during the Renaissance. There just isn’t much interest or need.”
“Of course there is,” Sophia argued.
The giantess gave her a look of regret. “I’m glad you think so. I, of course, feel valuable. Currently, magical creatures are being disregarded, and so is anyone connected to them.”
“Well, what can we do?” Sophia asked, suddenly feeling desperate.
“We fight ignorance with facts,” Bermuda stated. “Nevin Gooseman is appealing to scare tactics. He supports nothing with information, but rather uses fear and emotion. That’s hard to combat, but it isn’t impossible.”
“So how do we prove that dragons don’t spread this disease?”
“We discover where it came from,” Bermuda answered. “More importantly, you find the cure. Then not only will you clear the Dragon Elite’s name, but you’ll also be heroes.”
Of course, that had been part of the plan but getting there would take time.
Apparently reading the disappointment on her face, Bermuda gave Sophia a rare sympathetic expression. “I can offer my educated opinion on this matter to the House of Fourteen. The mortal world may not think much of me right at the moment, but I haven’t lost my credibility with the magicians.”
Sophia brightened suddenly. “Really? That would be great. I’m headed there next.”
Bermuda nodded like she expected this. She snapped her fingers, and a rolled-up piece of paper appeared in her hands. “You can show this to the council. It states that, to the best of my knowledge, dragons aren’t responsible for distortion.”
“Oh, is that what they are calling it?” Sophia asked, stepping forward cautiously to take the paper, but also trying to keep her distance from the large snake hovering overhead, swaying and flicking its tongue in her direction.
“Yes,” Bermuda stated. “Dragons have the ability for healing and peace. Although I can’t say without a doubt they aren’t the cause of distortion, it is highly unlikely.”
“I wish mortals were listening to you,” Sophia muttered bitterly. “They don’t associate us with peace at all. They want the demon dragons gone.”
“They are afraid of that which they don’t understand,” Bermuda explained. “Hence the reason for my show here. Education is the only way to truly create peace in this world.”
Sophia nodded. “We have hidden the demon dragons from mortals, but I’m not certain how long that will last. We need to track them down and then, I don’t know. Maybe we can change them o
r something.”
Bermuda scowled at her. “Why would you want to do that?”
“Because if we don’t do something, mortals will hunt them.”
“Then that will be the mortal’s problem,” Bermuda said matter-of-factly. “You can’t change a demon into an angel or the other way around. They are meant to be what they are for a reason. I’ve heard you speak of balance before, so this isn’t new information to you. Don’t abandon your logic in search of a quick solution or to avoid conflict.”
Sophia suddenly felt very small. Yes, she was standing in front of a giantess and a large snake, but mostly because of the way in which Bermuda was lecturing her like she was a child. “You’re right. I just worry about the demon dragons out there. They were hatched into a world that doesn’t understand or appreciate them.”
“The world has never been an understanding place,” Bermuda observed. “It didn’t just start, but rather is a long-standing problem. I’m not certain it will ever truly appreciate magic. Before mortals couldn’t see magic, and I believed that was a problem brought on because they were once fearful of it. Now they can see magic once more, and they are once more afraid of that which confuses them. Your job is not to hide it. Your job is similar to mine. You are to educate. Show mortals that ignoring evil isn’t the way. A wise man once said, ‘Evil gives color to the good in the world. If not for it then the world would be full of gray.’”
Sophia smiled to herself. “I like that. And it’s true. Teaching that will take time.”
“I don’t disagree there,” Bermuda told her.
They were quiet for a moment as Sophia thought, and the giantess went back to petting her snake. Lunis had ambled off to investigate the centaur named Jonathon. The pair appeared to be having a pleasant conversation.
“The snake…” Sophia started. “Why is it blindfolded?”
“Basilisk,” Bermuda corrected. “Now that you know what it is, the answer to your question should be clear.”
Sophia nodded and took a step backward. “If it didn’t have its eyes covered, then it would turn us to stone if we looked at it directly, wouldn’t it?”