by Sarah Noffke
All eyes swiveled to her.
Liv swallowed. “I just meant that I’ve never been to the Isle of Man, and I’m really fascinated by the giant culture.”
Clark’s eyes looked close to popping out of his skull.
“I mean, since I’ve never been around giants,” Liv continued, “I was thinking this would be a good opportunity to test my diplomacy skills.”
“Ms. Beaufont,” Adler began in a tired voice, “you already have a case.”
“Yeah, but I can do both,” Liv replied at once. “I need a break from fighting demons nonstop, and maybe I can clear any that are on the island.”
Bianca rolled her eyes. “There are no demons on the island. The giants ensure that.”
“Well, there’s another great reason for me to go,” Liv stated. “I might be able to learn what demon repellant they use to keep the beasts off their turf.”
All Liv knew for sure was that Decar couldn’t go to the giants’ island where Turbinger was located. He might sense the weapon, or find out that they’d made a replica.
Adler paused, seeming to consider this.
“We have spoken before about Warrior Beaufont’s negotiation skills and how good they are,” Hester offered.
Bianca laughed, a high-pitched shrill sound. “We all know this is just a show for the giants’ sake. They aren’t going to entertain our offer, and they aren’t even civilized enough to negotiate with.”
Raina seemed to be restraining herself. “Although I don’t think that’s true, it is our duty to try to include the giants. Liv had luck with the fae, and she might be the right person for this case as well.”
Adler sighed. “Fine, if you really want it, Ms. Beaufont. But know that this doesn’t relieve you from your current case. You’ll be expected to do both.”
“That’s perfect,” Liv said at once. “I hate sleeping.”
Before Liv was done speaking, Adler turned his attention back to his brother. “Decar, since Ms. DeVries has so much trouble bringing down unregistered magicians, why don’t you take over controlling those delinquents?”
Decar nodded at once. “Yes, that won’t be a problem.”
Damn it, Liv thought. She’s gotten the giants’ case but lost the unregistered magicians’ one. She knew that Trudy had been doing the right thing. Not only was it immoral to “dispose” of unregistered magicians who had young children, but it was wrong to impose such strict regulations on their community in the first place. She sensed that more people than just Trudy DeVries agreed with that. When she wasn’t hunting demons and negotiating with giants, she was going to have to figure out how to bring justice to that part of the House of Seven. Regulations and controls were one thing. Blindly punishing law-breakers was another.
Chapter Five
“I just don’t think it’s a good idea,” Liv said, tossing the red ball back to Sophia. Her little sister was sitting cross-legged on the carpet in her and Clark’s residence, the stuffed animals that she’d enchanted marching in a parade at her back.
Sophia caught the ball, huffing. “Please.”
“That’s not how it works, Soph,” Liv stated. “You don’t just beg and get your way.”
“How am I supposed to know how anything works?” the little eight-year-old argued.
Liv indicated the menagerie of stuffed animals, who were performing a pretty impressive choreographed dance. “I think you do all right figuring things out on your own. If the council or anyone knew that you already had your magic and it was extraordinary, they wouldn’t let you leave the House until you were my age.”
“They’d lock my magic,” Sophia said with a huge frown, tossing the ball back to Liv.
“I want to help you, but honestly, I’ve got to figure out this business that Rory learned from Turbinger,” Liv said, off in thought.
“You said he hasn’t figured it all out yet, right?” Sophia asked.
Liv nodded. “Yeah, all he knows so far is that there was a massive war between magicians and mortals. He can’t pinpoint the timeline or anything else that will shine any more light on the mystery.”
“I’m really great at being a detective,” Sophia offered.
Liv rolled her eyes at her little sister. “That’s not going to work.”
“Didn’t you say that Rory has kittens?”
“Yeah, he’s got a litter birthed at some point,” Liv joked.
“I’ve never seen a kitten,” Sophia countered.
“Soph!” Liv warned.
“Or a sunset,” she went on.
“I can’t. Clark would kill me.”
“And I hear the ocean smells salty. Is that true?” Sophia asked, batting her eyelashes.
Liv pressed her eyes closed, unsure of what to do. When she opened them, she couldn’t bear the look on her little sister’s face. If she’d ever had any strength to withstand her persuasion, it was gone when she looked into those beautiful blue eyes.
She sighed, resigned. “Yeah, fine. Put on your shoes.”
“You shouldn’t have brought her here,” Rory complained. He was sitting in his oversized chair and watching as the kittens crawled over Sophia, making the young girl giggle.
“She’s never played with kittens,” Liv argued. “I had to. The poor girl has been around tiny dragons and pixies, but she’s had no exposure to mortal things.”
“There’s a reason that she’s been locked up at the House of Seven,” Rory stated. “Young magicians are unpredictable. It’s unclear exactly when they’ll get their magic, and having them around electrical devices can be risky.”
“Well, Sophia already has her magic,” Liv countered.
“I know,” Rory said with a heavy sigh. “I can feel it. She definitely is taking after you.”
Liv was surprised by this. “Me? You mean, you don’t think my magic will normalize? The council keeps telling me it will.”
Rory shook his head. “This is your normal. If anything, I think your magic will get stronger.”
“Whoa,” Liv breathed. “And don’t worry, Sophia only came here. We learned our lesson when she set off all the devices in John’s store during the party.”
Sophia giggled as Junebug attacked her patent leather shoes, playfully biting at her toes.
Because the sour expression hadn’t disappeared from Rory’s face, Liv continued, “Our parents believed in us going out of the House and exploring. They made our education organic, taking us on adventures. If they were here and raising Sophia, she wouldn’t be confined. They never agreed with the guideline put down by the House.”
Rory softened, but only slightly. “Fine. I get it, and I don’t agree either with sheltering children. I get why well-meaning magical races do it with their own, but I don’t like it. I wasn’t allowed to leave the island until I was of age, and it’s why I don’t want to go back.”
Liv took a seat on the lumpy couch, her eyes darting to where Turbinger used to hang over the fireplace. “Speaking of the Isle of Man, I volunteered for a case.”
Howls of laughter spilled from Rory’s mouth when Liv told him about the case with the giants, scaring three of the kittens and making them dart under the sofa. “You should have let Decar take the case.”
“What? I couldn’t do that,” Liv argued. “He might find out about Turbinger. And why are you laughing?”
Rory paused, admiration on his face. “That’s true about Turbinger. Decar would have, and then it would have all been over. We’d possibly have another war on our hands. However, you traded your life to keep that sword protected and secret.”
Sophia looked up, her blue eyes wide.
Liv waved off her concern. “Don’t mind Rory. He loves to exaggerate. You should hear some of the tall tales he tries to pass off as true.”
“Ha-ha,” Rory said with no inflection. “And I’m not exaggerating. Those giants will have you roasting over a fire for supper minutes after you set foot on the island.”
“And here I’ve been trying to convince the others that giants are c
ivilized creatures,” Liv stated.
“We are, in our own way,” Rory explained. “However, the original tribe has no tolerance for magicians, especially ones who trespass on their land. There are still bitter feelings over how things have been handled in the past. The agreement was that the giants would mostly confine themselves to the Isle of Man, and in return, we wouldn’t have to deal with the House’s regulations.”
“But you don’t live there. And I’ve seen other giants, like that one time at that bar with the gnomes.”
Rory nodded. “Yes, but we live in secret for the most part. Even if the council finds out about us, they don’t mind as long as we keep to ourselves, but they don’t want a few thousand giants trying to live among society. And honestly, the giants prefer to live away from the rest, who they see as wasteful and superficial.”
“Well, I don’t see what the difference is between Decar going there or me,” Liv stated.
“The difference is that Decar is a magician who has displayed his power by killing many giants,” Rory explained. “The giants may hate him for it, but he played things right, showing his dominance. I wager that he could step onto that island, invite the chief to participate in the alliance and then take his written refusal back to the council completely unscathed. You? Well, they will see you as fresh meat.”
“Damn it.” Liv sighed. “This is the kingdom of the Fae all over again.”
Rory nodded. “And unfortunately for you, there is no fancy outfit you can wear or gift you can offer the giants to ease their tensions.”
Sophia looked up suddenly, her eyes bright. “I think you’re wrong. There is an outfit that could work. What if Liv showed up looking like Decar?”
Rory’s mouth opened like he was going to say something, but he just shook his head.
“Soph, do you think you can pull off a disguising spell like that?” Liv asked.
Sophia thought for a moment, combing her hands over the backs of the kittens crawling over her lap. “I don’t know. I’ve never tried anything like that, but I don’t see why not.”
Rory stood, towering over them. “That’s really complicated magic. And if it wears off while you’re on the island, you might as well slit your throat before the giants do.”
“Sophia is the best at doing disguises,” Liv argued. “If anyone can do it, it’s her.”
The little magician blushed. “Thank you. But also, shouldn’t the giants like Liv because she recovered Turbinger for them?”
“Great point!” Liv exclaimed, hope blossoming in her chest.
Rory regarded Sophia with a thoughtful expression, then knelt beside her, one of his knees popping loudly. “Yes, that would have helped Liv’s chances, but no one knows that Turbinger is back in the giants’ hands. My mum thought it best not to tell anyone yet. She fears there will be a fight over it once word gets out, and she’s trying to decide how best to handle it.”
“So the best option is to have me disguise her as Decar, a magician they fear?” Sophia asked, sounding much too old for her age.
Rory still looked skeptical.
“If Sophia can pull off the spell, which I believe she can,” Liv began, “then would that work?”
Rory picked up Junebug, stopping him from attacking Sophia’s foot any longer, and held the kitten to his chest as if enjoying the warmth. “It could work, but you have to approach the chief and discuss things as Decar would. If anything is off, they will grow suspicious.”
“So, you mean I have to be a giant asshole?” Liv asked.
Rory glanced over his shoulder at her, grimacing. “Language,” he scolded.
“Sorry, of course,” Liv stated. “I didn’t mean to use the word giant in such a way.”
He shook his head. “That’s not what I meant.”
“I’ll need some time to work on the spell,” Sophia said with a giggle, watching Rory cuddle the tiny kitten.
“That’s fine,” Liv stated. “I’ve got demons to hunt down.”
“Okay, this might work,” Rory concluded, appearing less stressed about the idea than before. “If you play it right, the chief will decline your offer of alliance, giving you the formal reply that you can take back to the House of Seven. Mission accomplished.”
Liv smiled, grateful that the plan had come together. “And they’ll conclude that the giants are still barbarians and leave them alone for another century, keeping Turbinger safe.”
“What are you going to do with the kittens when they are big enough?” Sophia asked, the smile on her face wide as Samson played with the sash on her dress. “Can I have one if I can hide it in our residence at the House?”
“Rory is going to eat them,” Liv said before he could answer.
Again, he gave her a punishing look turning his attention to Sophia. “I’m going to be finding them homes soon, but I don’t think that it would be good for you to keep one. It will draw suspicion if anyone wonders where you got it.”
Sophia nodded, understanding. “I figured. No one at the House of Seven has an ordinary pet like a housecat.”
“That’s true,” Rory said, something sparking in his eyes. “However, I may be able to find you a special magical creature that you could have at the House. Something that would make more sense for a magician to have.”
Sophia’s eyes brightened with excitement. “Really? Thank you! That would be wonderful.”
Liv smiled in appreciation. “And hey, I’m a magician, and I have a cat.”
Rory shook his head. “We both know Plato is anything but ordinary.”
Chapter Six
The chilly London air wrapped around Liv as she stepped through the portal onto Roya Lane. She pulled her cape tighter, keeping the hood over her head. The last time she was at Government Center, she’d received many speculative glances from other magical creatures, and she was hoping to avoid that this time.
“And there is my sixty-fifth favorite person,” Rudolf said, appearing beside her seemingly out of nowhere.
Liv offered him her best annoyed glare. “’Sixty-fifth?’ Wow, thanks. You don’t even make the top one hundred on my list.”
“Yes, I do,” he teased, looking her over. “I liked you better in that tight green number. Why don’t you go back to that?”
“Because my job is to kick ass for a living, which is tough to do with a spandex dress riding up.”
“There was once a fae warrior who used her provocative skills to distract her enemy, thereby winning the advantage and ending them,” Rudolf imparted.
“What happened to this fae?” Liv asked, striding through the crowds with her head down.
“She encountered a beast who was asexual, and it wiped her out at once.”
“And there’s the reason to diversify one’s skill set,” Liv stated.
“Yes, maybe. But showing a bit of thigh wouldn’t hurt you.”
“If you make another ridiculous suggestion, I will hurt you,” Liv threatened.
He held up his hands in surrender. “Fine, I’ll stop trying to help you improve your life. I realize that you prefer boring and practical things. Speaking of which, how is your brother Clark? He seemed to take a real liking to me at the party you urged me to attend.”
Liv shook her head as she continued making her way to the brownies’ official center. “Clark thought you were the worst, and I had no way to dissuade him from this conclusion. And I asked you to stop by to give me a report about the ring. We just happened to be having a party, which you stayed at much too long. And you left your pants in the backroom.”
Rudolf laughed good-naturedly. “It was no problem. I didn’t mind attending your silly party at all, although next time put me in charge of decorations. The décor was simply atrocious.”
“There was none,” Liv said dryly.
“Then what were those ugly little boxes and contraptions you had lying all over the place?” Rudolf asked curiously.
“Electronics.”
“Oh, well, then at the next party, get rid of
those,” Rudolf stated with a wide, toothy grin.
“We can’t,” Liv answered. “It’s an electronics repair shop.”
“Too bad. You really should have picked a more glamorous job like model or hair stylist or perfume sprayer.”
“That’s never, ever going to happen,” Liv said, scanning the brick wall next to them to locate the right place to open the hidden door to the office.
Rudolf nodded in understanding. “Yes, you’re right. You’re too pudgy for modeling, I agree. But maybe in your next life.”
Liv rolled her eyes, trying her best to ignore the fae who followed her through the crowd.
“And I appreciate you allowing me to sleep in the back room at the shop,” Rudolf said cheerily.
“You passed out after a shot of whiskey and no one could wake you,” Liv corrected. “We had no choice but to lay you in the back of the shop.”
“Yes, mortal drinks are a bit too much for me.” He bumped his shoulder into hers, winking. “And good thought about taking off my pants so I could rest more peacefully.”
“You did that after you spilled queso all over yourself.”
“Then the next morning, I had to rush out to a meeting with some fae who work as drag queens in your neck of the woods,” Rudolf said.
“They didn’t notice that you were pantsless? Or anyone on the street, for that matter?”
“I never made it there,” Rudolf replied. “I got picked up by a nice man in a uniform in a shiny car with cool lights. He must have known I was still tired from dancing all night with you because he offered me a ride, but unfortunately, he didn’t drop me off at my destination.”
“First of all, we didn’t dance,” Liv said. “And second, how did you get out of jail?”
Rudolf blinked at her dully. “That was jail? I just thought it was a really low-end hotel. That explains why they didn’t turn down my bed when I requested it.”
“And locked you in a cell?” Liv asked.
“Yes, but I thought that was for kinky purposes. Anyway, the joke’s on them, because I simply portaled out of there without leaving a generous tip,” Rudolf answered.