by Sarah Noffke
A cold, forceful wind roared by Adler’s head.
Die, the wind seemed to whisper.
He swung around, believing someone or something was there.
Sharp gray rocks stretched in all directions, covered in patches of snow. There was no one in sight. Not even a repugnant mortal. Adler shook his head, believing that the loneliness was starting to get to him. He hadn’t wanted to be the one who went to the Matterhorn, but he knew he was the only choice. Protecting the signal was important.
For generations, the Beaufonts had tried to stop this. Before Guinevere and Theodore, there had been the brothers, and before them was another team. The Sinclairs and the Beaufonts had been fighting for too long, according to Talon. The Beaufonts were one of the founding families, and for some reason, they never seemed to accept the “truth.” Even the Takahashis, another founding family, had gone along with things when they came to power. Sometimes they seemed confused when they heard “the House of Seven,” like it didn’t sound quite right, but they always let it go.
Not the Beaufonts, though. Generation after generation stuck their nose where it wasn’t supposed to go. They never seemed to accept that this was the way things were. They always asked too many questions. But that was all about to stop.
Olivia Beaufont had gone too far.
Adler had felt little remorse about killing Guinevere and Theodore. Their children, Ian and Reese, though? That had been harder. However, if Olivia came after him, he would care very little about what he had to do to stop her from prying anymore. This stopped with her.
Like an explosion in his belly, Adler felt the conviction that accompanied his thoughts spurring him on when he was close to quitting. The Sinclairs had let this go on for too long. It was time to end things. To make them go the way it had always been meant to be.
Talon had thought of so much. He’d invented the magic tech responsible for the signal. He’d created the book that contained the Forgotten Archives. However, he hadn’t thought to end the problem that had caused everything from the beginning—mortals.
Adler had reasoned that Talon had gone soft on mortals since it was he and the other six magical families who had constructed the House, along with seven mortals. However, things had been different then. There had been a reason to form an alliance between mortals and magicians.
The giants had been out of control. The gnomes had refused to cooperate. The elves had been an unyielding force. That was why the House of Fourteen had been formed—to control the other races. And then the reality unfolded—mortals thought they owned some of the power. They tried to control things and voted on magical matters when they far exceeded their experience. They had overstepped their boundaries, and that was when the Great War had begun.
But it would all end with Adler.
He nearly stumbled with excitement when he rounded the bend to see the facility Talon had created all those years ago. Inside the two-story structure was the signal responsible for inhibiting mortals from seeing magic and therefore involving themselves in matters they knew nothing about. It had worked well enough all this time. However, when Adler was done with it, it would fix all their problems.
For some reason Talon had never wanted to disclose to Adler, he’d refused to end mortals. That was the simple solution, Adler had always thought. But Talon had fought him whenever he pushed the matter, saying that killing all mortals wouldn’t work.
Well, Adler was ready to prove him wrong. Get rid of mortals, and then magic could exist without any barriers. All he had to do was tweak the signal. Then it wouldn’t matter if Olivia Beaufont made it to the summit of the Matterhorn or uncovered the Forgotten Archives since all of the mortals would be dead already.
Chapter Five
“Wait,” Sophia said in disbelief. “Let me get this straight. If something happens to mortals, or the longer that magic stays hidden from them, the higher the chance that it will disappear forever?”
Liv nodded. “Yes. It’s the element they control. We all feed our energy into our element somehow.”
“Fueling it?” Sophia guessed.
“That’s right, according to Papa Creola,” Liv answered. “And the longer humans are disconnected from magic, the more it will decrease. Apparently, it’s on a sharp decline all of a sudden.”
“So there is an even better reason to stop whatever is preventing mortals from seeing magic,” Sophia said, affectionately stroking her dragon’s egg.
“Well, if the fact that erasing the real history and brainwashing mortals wasn’t enough,” Liv said, stooping to peer under her bed.
“He’s under there still,” Sophia said.
Liv peeked under the messy bed, making a mental note that she needed to clean up the dust bunnies, to find the miniature dragon staring back at her, his orange eyes glowing. “Hey, Indikos, I recognize that my place is no palace, but you can come out at some point. I brought you some fresh meat since you can’t hunt.”
Sophia, the egg, and Adler’s dragon had been staying with her. It would have been a bit cramped before she did the remodeling. Now her once-tiny studio was like a penthouse apartment, with adequate areas for guests to relax. However, Indikos preferred the cramped, dusty place under the bed.
“He doesn’t want to talk,” Sophia said plainly.
Liv grunted as she pushed up from the floor. “Like he said in your head, ‘Hey, I don’t want to talk,’ or that he simply didn’t say anything and you inferred the rest?”
“It’s hard to describe how the telepathy with dragons works,” Sophia explained. “With my dragon, I get specific messages that I know are his thoughts. With Indikos, it’s more of general ideas and feelings.”
“Hmmm,” Liv said, thinking. “Well, I’ve got neither of those, and I need to travel across the world with the creature, so I think I’m going to have to find a solution. Communication might be important when I’m being attacked by ten-headed monsters and caught up in cyclones.”
“How do you know you’ll have to face such things?” Sophia asked.
Liv opened Bermuda’s book, Mysterious Creatures, and pulled it toward her. “I don’t, but that’s usually how my missions go. Murphy’s Law keeps me on my toes.”
Liv was unsurprised when she opened the seemingly endless volume straight to the page on miniature dragons, or as Bermuda called them, majunga. Several times Liv had flipped through these pages but hadn’t found anything that told her anything new. She was about to give up when she noticed two of the pages were stuck together. Careful to not rip them, she encouraged them apart.
Sophia crawled over from her place on the floor, instantly curious what new information Liv had found.
“According to Bermuda…” Liv said slowly, scanning the new pages, “there is an herb that a non-dragon rider can take which could potentially make it so they can talk to dragons.”
“It’s crazy that you just found that and we were just talking about it,” Sophia said, leaning over Liv’s shoulder.
“No, that’s pretty much par for the course,” Liv stated. “I’ve gotten over the ironic aspects of the timing in my life.”
Sophia gave her egg a curt nod, like the dragon inside of it had just said something. “She would never.”
“Ummm…” Liv said, her gaze shifting between the little girl and the big, blue egg. “She would never what?”
“He had just said something about how you’re getting desensitized to this world, and he hopes you don’t become jaded.”
Liv scrutinized the egg. “Just because I joke doesn’t mean I’ve started to take all this for granted. It’s just that my life and all its absurdities make me laugh.”
Sophia giggled. “It makes us laugh too.”
“Well, I’m glad I can be an entertainment for you two,” Liv stated. “By the way, are you going to keep calling your dragon him and he or do you have some idea for a name in the meantime? I realize you’re waiting to name him fully until you’ve met officially, but maybe just a placeholder like Billy
or Jimmy or Dwight?”
Sophia grimaced. “None of those sound like dragon names.”
“That’s the point,” Liv said with an eye roll. “That way they don’t accidentally stick.”
“Well, I get the reason for having a name to refer to him—”
“Especially because even without being hatched, he’s a part of the conversation,” Liv cut in.
Sophia nodded. “And yes, he’s definitely part of things. But I don’t want to get in the habit of calling him one thing and then change it.”
“I understand that,” Liv stated. “He is your dragon. However, I might call him Eggar or Eggy or Eggward, if that’s okay.”
Sophia giggled. “It’s fine with me, but he doesn’t like it so much.”
“Tell him to come out of that shell and stop me, then,” Liv challenged.
Sophia’s gaze grew distant, and then she shook her head. “He says nice try, but he’s not ready yet.”
Liv sighed. “Fine. Can’t rush perfection, I guess.”
A knock at the door made Sophia’s giggling halt. Liv glanced up.
“Hey, you girls busy?” John called from the front.
“No, we’re back here in the bedroom,” Liv called.
A moment later, John materialized in the doorway, a snorkeling mask on his head. “Gosh, it took me nearly a full minute to walk across your place, Liv. Been doing some more expansion, I see.”
“Well, I felt bad that Sophia was cooped up in here, so I added the fountain to the foyer,” Liv said.
“And an atrium with an outdoor corridor for that fountain,” John added, glancing over his shoulder. “Is that a slide off the dining room?”
Sophia continued to chuckle.
“Well, like I said, I wanted to ensure Sophia got exercise,” Liv stated meekly. “And what better way to arrive for dinner than by slide?”
John lowered his chin and gave Sophia a serious expression. “She’s feeding you real food, right? Not just stuff out of boxes or nachos?”
“We had nachos last night!” Sophia cheered.
“With a side salad,” Liv corrected. “And I know how to cook now.”
“I know you’re trying,” John said, looking around. “I’m not interrupting you two, am I?”
“Oh, no,” Liv said, waving him off. “I was just teasing Sophia’s unhatched dragon and trying to coax the small dragon I kidnapped out from underneath the bed.”
“Just a regular Tuesday,” Sophia added.
John shook his head. “Well, my request might seem a little mundane to you two, but I wanted to show off my new vacation clothes and see if you approve. Will you take a look and give me your opinion?”
Liv waved him into the room. “Show us.”
She’d convinced John to use the profits from the sale of the pinball machine to take a luxurious tropical vacation. It had been too long. He deserved it more than anyone.
He stepped out from the other side of the doorway to reveal himself in an orange and red Hawaiian shirt with trunks to match, and a blue snorkel and fins.
“How are those clothes any different from your normal stuff?” Liv asked, hiding her laughter.
“Oh, you,” John said, putting his fists on his hips. “I’m a tourist on the beaches of Waikiki. Don’t I look like one?”
“Slap some sunscreen on your nose, and the locals will be lining up to scam you,” Liv quipped.
“That’s the beauty of a vacation, right?” John asked. “Going to a place you’re not from so others can take advantage of you, selling you things at higher prices than they’re worth?”
Liv nodded. “I’m glad you settled on a beach vacation rather than some lonesome cabin in the woods.”
John sighed. “Yeah, I guess tropical will be more fun. I’m all set for the most part.”
Liv popped to her feet. “I have forgotten to ask Rory about watching the shop. I would do it, but I have this whole—”
“Saving the world business,” John said, cutting her off with a smile.
“I was going to say taking Indikos to his new home, but yes, along the way, I have to reconnect mortals to magic,” Liv stated.
“Well, my dates for the vacation are flexible, so whenever Rory is free will work for me,” John imparted.
Liv grabbed her things before placing a light kiss on Sophia’s head. “I’m sure he can do it. He never goes anywhere.”
“But this is his busy season at work,” John protested.
“Which is?” Liv asked.
He wagged his finger at her. “Rory made me promise not to tell you what he does professionally. He says it’s a game you two are playing.”
“He’s playing this game,” Liv grumbled. “I’m being ridiculed on the side for not knowing enough about my friend.”
“You two are so cute,” John remarked.
Liv patted him on the shoulder as she left. “I’ll be back in a bit. I’m going to stop by and make arrangements with Rory. Will you make sure the dragon rider eats?”
“As long as she promises that her dragon will never eat me,” John said, followed by another delightful giggle from Sophia.
Liv pulled on her cape as she left the apartment. She’d worried about having Sophia and the egg stay with her, but it had been wonderful so far. She felt warm and complete when she curled up in her place at night to the sound of her little sister’s soft snores. And folding her mortal life with John together with her magical one with her family made her feel so expansive, the way she pictured it would be in the future, once mortals were released from the brainwashing.
Chapter Six
A book flew through Rory’s open front door as Liv approached. She ducked, and the volume soared over her head and into the yard. At the threshold, she had to dart out of the way to avoid getting hit by a tray, a basket of yarn, and a stuffed bear.
“What’s going on?” Liv asked from the porch, partially hiding behind the side of the house.
Rory had his back to her, his shoulders rising and falling dramatically as he took labored breaths. When he turned around, his face was red, and his eyes were crazed with worry.
“Rory, are you okay?” Liv asked, about to rush forward but stopping herself. Rory liked his space, especially when he was upset.
“It’s my mum,” Rory said, his eyes scanning the mess at his feet.
“Bermuda?” Liv asked. “Is she all right?”
Rory shook his head and then corrected the movement, nodding. “I think she’s fine for now. She sent me a message that said she was being pursued by Decar Sinclair, but that she had found and taken the book.”
For a moment, Liv thought her head was going to explode with information. “Decar? He’s pursuing her?”
After everything that had happened with Adler stealing Sophia’s egg, this seemed like all Liv needed to assume the Sinclairs were behind this whole conspiracy. As if reading her thoughts, Rory shook his head, a stern look on his face.
“We don’t know why Decar is after Mum, and we can’t jump to assumptions,” Rory stated.
“Oh, do you think it’s because he’s lonesome on the road and just wants to have a cup of coffee?” Liv asked, her tone dripping with sarcasm.
“I know Adler and Decar are no good,” Rory stated. “But we don’t know if they are out for their own selfish gains or if they are behind everything or if they are working for someone else. It’s important to remain objective.”
Liv motioned to the mess on the floor. “Is that what you’re doing? Being objective?”
He raked his hand through his frizzy hair. “I’m trying, but Mum sounded nervous in her note.”
“What did she say?” Liv asked.
From his jean pockets, Rory pulled out a crumpled piece of paper and handed it to her.
Liv took it hesitantly. “What, did she send it via carrier pigeon?”
“Something like that,” Rory answered.
Unfurling the note, Liv pulled it up close to her face to read the compact handwriting.
<
br /> I have the book. Decar is pursuing me, but he is at least a step behind. Don’t worry, and don’t come after me.
Love,
Mum
“Book?” Liv asked. “What’s this about a book?”
Rory shrugged. “She’ll have to explain it to us when she returns. I’m not sure. I’m going to go find her and help her get back.”
Liv held up the note. “I believe she said not to go.”
“But she’s in danger,” Rory nearly whined.
“How can you tell? She says Decar is a step behind her.”
From the same pocket, he pulled out another crumpled note. “In her last message, she said that Decar was pursuing her but he was at least a few steps behind. Now he is only a step.”
Liv tilted her head to the side. “Don’t you think you’re mincing words just a tad?”
Rory shook his head, then grabbed for a bag on the floor and started to fill it with items. “I have a bad feeling about this. And if the book is the key to uncovering the real history, then Mum will be in even more danger. Decar and whoever he’s working with won’t let her get away with it. They’ll pull out every stop. I just know it.”
Often Liv argued with Rory. Sometimes it was for her own amusement, because she enjoyed seeing that frustrated look flit to his face. Then there were other times when she absolutely disagreed with him. However, in this situation, she knew not to argue. Rory might have been fearful because it was his mother, but he was basing it on instinct. She knew how valuable gut feeling was and would never tell her friend to ignore it.
“I’ll go too,” Liv said, picking up some clothes off the floor and stacking them on the coffee table. “Where is she? Do you know?”
“I’m not certain, but I have a tracker I’ll use when I set off to find her.” Rory dropped his bag on the ground, glancing around in confusion. “And no, you can’t go. You have your own job to do. If you don’t bring down that signal on the Matterhorn, there’s little reason for us to uncover the real history.”