by Sarah Noffke
He beamed, his blue eyes still lighting up despite the swelling. Bowing low, he said, “You’re welcome, my lady. I figured that if you made the right kind of entrance, Queen Visa would find you interesting. She loves rebels and a bit of drama.”
Liv smiled, thinking she was glad she enlisted Rudolf’s help. Without it, she would have been doomed, strolling into Queen Visa’s casino wearing magician clothes and being all business. The Council had told her that she needed to enlist more diplomacy on her cases when she had upset some dumb goblin tribe. She could safely say that she’d used a great deal of diplomacy on this case.
Liv patted the handbag she was tired of carrying around. She changed her clothes in a darkened alley off Roya Lane, feeling instantly better with her body fully covered and the scroll safely hidden in her cape.
Rudolf grimaced. “I had hoped that you’d changed your evil ways and were going to start dressing more appealingly.”
“Never have such disillusions about me,” Liv replied as something occurred to her. “When we were in Queen Visa’s chamber, she mentioned something about you not getting over something. What was that about the woman she killed?”
A shadow moved behind Rudolf’s eyes. “I don’t think you heard her correctly.”
“I think I did,” Liv fired back. “And you don’t hang out with the fae, do you? Why is that?”
He sighed. “After several hundred years, they bore me. Maybe in a century or so I’ll be lonesome for my kind.”
Liv looked around at the always-bustling Roya Lane. Various races were hurrying in different directions, talking in languages she didn’t recognize. “Is that why you hang around here?”
Rudolf followed her gaze and shrugged slightly. “Yeah, I guess.”
“Well, maybe you will like the fae better now that they have to diversify and get hobbies,” Liv said.
“Yeah, maybe,” Rudolf stated, but there was no enthusiasm in his voice. He seemed suddenly lost, like a shell of his former self.
“Are you okay?” Liv asked, surprised to find herself worried about Rudolf.
He closed his eyes for half a beat and let out a breath. “Yeah. I’m just thinking about what an awful kisser you were. It was a real disappointment.”
Liv slapped him on the arm. “Hey, that was an uninvited and disgusting attempt on your part. Of course, it wasn’t any good.”
Rudolf leaned away, gripping his arm. “No more abuse. Keep your brutish fist away from me, Warrior. All you know is violence.”
Liv couldn’t keep herself from laughing. Rudolf joined in, letting go of the stress that had built while they were in the queen’s chamber.
“I can’t believe it worked,” Liv said with elation.
“Honestly, I can’t believe it did either. Not in a million years did I think you could pull it off, but you, Liv Beaufont, Warrior for the House of Seven, have this weird charm. It’s almost like an anti-charm that somehow endears you to people.”
Liv shook her head. “Take that back, or I’ll blacken your other eye.”
He shook his head. “No, go ahead and make your threats. I’ll take your abuse. But you should know that despite your attempts to be atrocious, I still like you.”
Liv shook her head, pulling her hood up. “Well, I like you like one does a garbage truck. You’re glad they exist, but you don’t want them to stick around.”
He puffed out his chest and bowed low. “Thank you, my lady. I’ll take that as a grand compliment.”
“I wouldn’t,” Liv said dryly.
He offered his hand, probably hoping she’d give him hers. When she didn’t, Rudolf pursed his lips. “I’ll work on finding the lost memory. You try to keep yourself out of trouble.”
“No promises,” Liv said, creating a portal to the West Coast entrance of the House of Seven. “And don’t lose my ring, or I’ll make Queen Visa look like a docile puppy.”
Rudolf nodded. “I have no doubt, Liv Beaufont.”
Chapter Nineteen
Again the image of John lying helpless in a hospital bed assaulted Liv’s vision when she stepped through the Door of Reflection. She hadn’t figured out how to get out of these visions. They seemed to release her when they were done, spitting her out into the Chamber of the Tree.
If she could squeeze her eyes shut and not see the man before her suffering, she would, but that wasn’t an option.
The nurse entered the scene, just like before, talking to someone unseen. “Such a strange attack this one endured. Like something out of a movie.”
The Door released her. Liv shook off the strangeness of returning to the real world, blinking at the chamber and trying to clear her vision. Her mother’s words rang in her head, making her throat prickle with guilt: “Our magic doesn’t fit into their world.”
That was what Guinevere Beaufont had said on more than one occasion about mortals, having her own heartbreak over the matter. Liv had thought she’d done the right thing by telling John about magic, but what if she hadn’t? She reasoned that he already knew about magic since he was married to a magician. But what if the truth she shared with him was going to put him in more danger? He accepted magic better than most, but did that mean he needed to know? She wasn’t sure, and now he was about to lose his shop and the life he’d built. Maybe things would be better when he retired to Mexico. At least she wouldn’t have to worry about him, although she’d miss him painfully.
Adler was in the middle of one of his dumb lectures when Liv stepped into the light.
“Mr. Ludwig, your excuses are of no concern to the Council,” he stated, his attention distracted by Liv taking her spot between Stefan and Decar, who, as usual, wasn’t present.
The relief that flooded Clark’s face was palpable. He actually cracked a smile, but it vanished when Liv made the tiniest of gestures with her hand.
“As I was saying,” Adler continued, looking completely thrown off by Liv’s sudden appearance. Many of the councilors exchanged whispers, glancing at her curiously.
Adler cleared his throat. “As I was saying,” he repeated, but shook his head. “Actually, Ms. Beaufont, do you want to tell the Council what you’re doing here? You’re supposed to be meeting with Queen Visa.”
“Yes, I understand that,” Liv said, pushing her hood down and shaking out her long hair.
Adler lowered his chin. “Have you come to ask for a different case? Mr. Beaufont hasn’t been successful at getting you removed from the case, if that was your hope.”
Liv smiled inside. “Get a different case? Oh heck, naw.”
Bianca grimaced at her causal language. “It’s understandable to be scared of Queen Visa, but unfortunately there are no new resources we can provide you for the case. We’ve already voted and decided on the matter.”
“Scared of Queen Visa?” Liv asked. “She invited me to have an afternoon massage with her. Hopefully, she doesn’t get my number, or she’ll probably never stop texting me.”
“Wait, you met Queen Visa?” Bianca leaned forward, her tall, pale forehead wrinkling.
“For sure, and that is one hot woman,” Liv replied.
Adler let out an annoyed sigh. “Ms. Beaufont, the Council doesn’t have time for your games. If you’re not going to take this case, you’ll be removed as Warrior, and the Beaufont family replaced in the House of Seven.”
Liv turned and looked at Stefan, who appeared to be hiding an expression of amusement. “Playing a game? I didn’t think that was allowed here. I thought the rule book specifically said no fun could be had in the Chamber of the Tree.”
If he had been trying to hide his expression before, it was close to slipping to the surface now.
“Ms. Beaufont, this behavior will absolutely not be tolerated!” Adler yelled, making the crow on the far end of the bench squawk and take off, flying up to the rafters. Liv sort of hoped the white tiger would eat that pesky bird, but he wasn’t in sight. She remembered that they were part of the balance of the chamber, although she wasn’t sure enti
rely how.
Seemingly disarmed for a moment by the crow’s disappearance, Adler took a calming breath and closed his eyes. When he opened them, he didn’t appear much less hostile than he had moments prior. “Ms. Beaufont,” he began, his tone brimming with frustration. “You’ve been asked to amend the agreement with Queen Visa. Under no circumstances are you to return here until that’s been done.”
“Right, I totally get it,” she said casually.
“Very good, then,” he said, obviously restraining his anger.
“Totally great,” she fired back.
He blinked at her, his eyes narrowing. “You’ve been dismissed.”
Liv didn’t budge.
Adler tried again to return his attention to Stefan, but Liv’s continued presence was too much for him. To Liv’s relief, Clark was doing an excellent job of covering the laughter she was certain he wanted to burst into.
“Ms. Beaufont, why are you still standing there when you’ve been assigned your case and dismissed?” Adler asked, each of his words careful like he might explode with anger at any moment.
Liv slapped her forehead. “Oops, I’m such a ditz. Totally slipped my mind. I’m done with that case.”
Adler’s eyes rolled up in his head. “Councilors, I call for a formal disciplinary action for Ms. Beaufont.”
“Discipline?” Liv asked. “That’s what I get for risking my life and successfully completing the death mission you assigned me?”
Adler’s nostrils flared, but it was Lorenzo who spoke next. “You were successful in the Kingdom of the Fae? You got Queen Visa to agree to the amendments?”
Liv laughed. “Agree? She thought it was her idea.” She pulled the ancient scroll from her robes, earning her gasps from everyone on the bench save Clark and Haro.
Adler snapped his hand impatiently, making the scroll fly out of Liv’s hand and soar through the air, landing in his long fingers. Impatiently he unrolled the scroll, his eyes darting over the words.
“What does it say? She really got the queen to agree?” Bianca asked, leaning over to read.
Adler’s fingers tightened on the parchment in his hand, lowering it slightly to look over it at Liv. “How did you do this?”
“You did ask me to get her to agree to minimize the fae’s seduction of mortals, right?” Liv asked.
“You know full well that was the case you were assigned,” Adler answered.
“Is there a reason that you appear so angry that I’ve done what you asked?” Liv questioned.
“I think,” Raina cut in, “that Councilor Sinclair is simply surprised that you completed the case so quickly.” She was smiling with unbridled relief, as was Hester next to her. Clark had also finally let his elation shine.
“How were you able to get Queen Visa to agree?” Lorenzo asked.
“It involved clocking a fae and wearing way too much makeup,” Liv answered.
Haro laughed at this, his usual serious expression cracking. “It is generally the unconventional methods that work in these situations.”
Liv nodded, studying the magician. Maybe Akio was right, and his brother did have faith in her. She’d have to question the other Warrior on that later since he wasn’t in the Chamber.
Adler chewed his thumbnail, his eyes continuously running over the scroll in front of him as if he couldn’t believe it was real.
“Anyway, I’m ready for my next case,” Liv said, reaching into her pocket and retrieving the codex to which notes on cases were sent by the Council.
Bianca looked up and down the bench. “Case? Do we have another case lined up for Olivia?”
“I do believe you know that I prefer to go by Liv, but it’s cute that you keep using the wrong name,” Liv said, feeling brand-new confidence. At least three of the councilors hadn’t expected her to return alive, and her presence in front of them was throwing them off.
“We actually don’t have anything for Ms. Beaufont at the moment,” Adler said, continuing to study the scroll. “We… Well, we expected it to take you a little longer to finalize the agreement with Queen Visa.”
You expected me to be murdered, Liv thought proudly to herself.
“I think Warrior Beaufont has earned a day or two off,” Hester said, smiling. “And when you return rested and refreshed, we will have a new case ready for you to tackle.”
Liv nodded, grateful to have her support, especially with Adler, Bianca, and Lorenzo giving her less-than-accepting looks. “Okay, sure thing. I’ll brush up on my Warrior skills in the meantime.”
She turned, noticing the white tiger at her back. How long had he been there, standing so close to her? He tilted his head to the side, regarding her with a mystified expression, like he too was surprised she’d survived the Kingdom of the Fae.
“Oh, and Ms. Beaufont?” Adler called as Liv strode toward the exit.
She turned, holding her chin high. “Yes?”
“I do hope that you displayed a new level of diplomacy while interacting with Queen Visa,” Adler stated. “That would be best for long-term relations.”
Liv decided against sharing that she had complimented the queen’s ass. “Yes, no worries. As I mentioned before, Queen Visa was quite taken with me.”
And she’ll stay that way until she realizes the vial of blood she holds isn’t mine.
Chapter Twenty
Walking into the training studio brought back memories Liv couldn’t deal with just then. Her mother used to bring her up to these rooms, encouraging her to train. When Liv hadn’t shown a lot of interest in learning combat magic, her mother had never pressured her, saying there would be time later for such things.
“Your job right now is to be a kid,” Guinevere Beaufont would say to her daughter, her beautiful blonde hair up in a messy bun on her head.
“But will you get in trouble with the other Royals if you don’t train me?” Liv would ask, having overheard conversations between her father and mother at night when she should have been asleep. It hadn’t gone unnoticed by the Sinclairs and others in the House of Seven that the Beaufonts didn’t abide by the same rigorous training practices as the other families.
Her mother simply smiled, her blue eyes sparkling. “Whose job is it to worry, Olivia?”
“Yours,” Liv answered, reciting what her parents had told her a hundred times since she was old enough to fret.
“And what’s your job?” Guinevere asked her.
“To be a kid,” Liv replied.
“That’s right,” her mother answered. “There will be time for your training. You can never recapture the freedom of your youth.”
In truth, her mother had probably never thought that Liv would need the training. It was unlikely that she’d become a Warrior. Guinevere was the strongest Warrior the House had seen in a century, and if anything happened to her, Ian would take over. He was incredible, driven from a young age. No one expected that something would happen to them both, making Liv the Beaufont Warrior for the House of Seven.
She stood in the middle of the training studio, feeling the surreal aspect of this all. It kept hitting her, sometimes making it hard to breathe.
I’m a Warrior. The one for the Beaufont family, she thought, turning to face the mirror, suddenly feeling very much alone. I’m all we have left. That doesn’t quite feel like enough, but it will have to be.
“I see you survived Queen Visa,” Akio said from the entrance.
Liv had known he was there moments prior to him materializing. Maybe it was being back in the studio that made her more aware of her surroundings. Maybe it was because she realized that more than ever her combat skills were going to need improvement if she was going to survive. She’d been studying the book Mysterious Creatures every night, training with Rory on the side, and working on her combat skills on her own. But it wasn’t enough. She needed Akio’s help if she was going to improve radically.
The Council wasn’t going to let up on her, not after the stunt she’d pulled as she revealed her success wit
h the Kingdom of the Fae. But she couldn’t help herself. Adler had deserved to learn the truth in a way that put humiliation and surprise on his face. Also, Liv was making her fair share of enemies and would need to know how to defend herself. That was why she was there.
“Against some of the Council’s better wishes, yes, I survived,” Liv answered, nodding to Akio as he swept into the room. He was wearing the decorative kimono he often sported, his sword strapped to his hip.
His brown eyes smiled even though his face remained placid. “I’m glad to see you return, Liv. I can’t say that I didn’t worry about your safety. It seems you are full of surprises.”
“I’m tactless. That’s all,” she replied.
Akio looked around the studio, searching for something. “You said you had a weapon you’d chosen?”
Liv withdrew Bellator from the sheath across her back, delighting in the way it felt in her hands. She hadn’t spent much time with the sword yet, but looked forward to getting acquainted; bonding with it in a way that would create loyalty between them. That was how Rory had explained it, anyway.
“Where did you get that?” Akio asked, his eyes widening as he stumbled back slightly.
Liv drew in a breath. “I found it,” she lied.
His eyes darted between the sword and her face. “Don’t tell me. It would be better that way.”
“I found it, seriously,” she continued, remembering what Rory had said. No one could ever know that he’d made it for her.
Akio nodded. “Yes, ‘found it.’ That’s fine. What is it called?”
Liv hesitated, her eyes running over the smooth hilt and the blue gems adorning it. “It’s called Bellator.”
Akio did smile then, wrinkles forming around his eyes. “Appropriately named.”
“Why? What does Bellator mean?” Liv asked.
Akio’s head tilted to the side. “You don’t know?”
Liv shook her head.