by Sarah Noffke
Liv knew he was right. It was tough for her to allow him to go off to help Bermuda, although she didn’t like it when others tried to interfere in her plans. “Okay, well, what can I do to help?”
“Stay in contact with me,” Rory said. Taking a pad and pen from a nearby shelf, he handed it to her.
Lifting an eyebrow, Liv held up the pad he’d given her. “What do you want me to do with this?”
“Write me messages on it. It’s an anywhere pad.”
“And send them to you via carrier pigeon or Pony Express?” Liv asked.
He pulled a pad from his back pocket. “No, I’ll get the message here on my own pad. Just the same way I got Mum’s messages.”
“Couldn’t we just use cell phones?”
Rory shook his head. “No, this is much safer. It’s more secure.”
“Before you head out,” Liv began, pulling her copy of Mysterious Creatures out of her pocket, “I needed to see if you have a certain herb. I’ve never heard of it.” She opened the book to her place marker and squinted. “It’s called sturi…something.”
“Sturistriderfen,” Rory supplied.
Liv gave him a look of disbelief. “How did you get that from my broken mispronunciation?”
“I know how you think,” Rory stated. “And you have a dragon you need to communicate with, so I figured it out.”
“How do you know I have a dragon I need to talk to?” Liv asked, curiously, realizing that she hadn’t had a chance to tell Rory about Sophia’s egg or Indikos or really hardly any of the newest developments.
“Well, it’s a majunga, to be specific,” Rory corrected himself.
Liv narrowed her eyes at the giant. “How do you know that? I haven’t told you anything about it or getting Sophia’s egg back yet.”
He sniffed the air. “How could I not? You reek of majunga. And that’s good news on the egg. I knew it would come back to Soph. The two are magnetized to each other, so there was little way that he couldn’t.”
“But then does that mean that Adler will come after Indikos, his majunga?” Liv asked.
Rory shook his head, giving her a cautious expression. “I can’t believe you took his dragon.”
“His dragon sort of begged for my help,” Liv corrected. “And it was the way to get Sophia’s dragon back, which by the way she’s named ‘Todd.’”
Rory’s expression told him he didn’t believe her about the last part. “And no, I don’t believe Adler will be able to come after his dragon. If the majunga was asking to be taken, then it was not magnetized to Adler. Otherwise, the act of formally separating them would cause both great harm.”
“Wow,” Liv said, shaking her head. “I never realized how the bond between a dragon and their rider or person worked.”
“It’s a magical force, Liv,” Rory explained. “They are one. What happens to one affects the other, and vice versa.”
Liv nodded slowly, trying to wrap her head around this strange new future unfolding before her little sister.
Rory pointed to the patio. “The herb you’re looking for is in a planter between the rosemary and the lavender.”
“Obviously,” Liv retorted. “Because that’s where I’d keep my dragon telepathy herbs.”
“Where else should they go?” Rory asked, continuing to pack his bag.
Liv backed toward the door, wanting to stay and help and knowing she had her own mission that needed her attention. “Okay, but please write and let me know you’re okay.”
“I will,” Rory said, continuing to stuff items into his bag.
“And let me know if you need my help.”
“I won’t,” he replied.
“And tell your mum thank you.”
Rory glanced up, a tender expression in his eyes. “We’re all in this together now, Liv, so there’s no gratitude necessary.”
Chapter Seven
Liv portaled as close to the island of Lehua as she could get. Unfortunately, that wasn’t close enough. Hawaiki Topasna had ensured that visitors would have to cross many types of dangerous terrain to get to her.
Liv stared down at the molten lava bubbling a few yards away and shook her head. “So we cross the lava, then the jungle, and if we’re not picked up by a cyclone, then we will arrive at Hawaiki’s in time for dinner, I’m guessing,” she said to Indikos, who was perched on her shoulder.
The dragon didn’t answer. Instead, he flapped his wings and took off, soaring high into the sky.
Liv shook her fist at the small dragon. “Fine, I’ll meet you on the other side. I prefer hoofing it anyway.”
Apparently, the island of Lehua was known to be uninhabitable. It was supposed to be barren due to an extinct volcano. That was what the mortals believed, anyway. Well, and almost everyone else. There were few who ventured out this far on a hunch, just to see if the geography books were telling the right story.
They weren’t.
Not only was the volcano not extinct, evidenced by the molten lava bubbling up by Liv’s feet, but the island also wasn’t barren, based on the tropical jungle that spread out on the other side. And then there were the calls of the many birds in the distance, which made Liv believe it also wasn’t uninhabited.
She watched as Indikos’ figure got smaller and smaller until he disappeared on the other side of the lava flow. Liv had tried to take a ship around this area to the side of the island where she believed the old elf to be, but that hadn’t worked. Instead, she found herself going in circles until she gave up, deciding that wards were preventing her from getting to the island that way.
“So how do I cross molten lava?” Liv mumbled to herself, her brow already profusely sweating.
“Have you considered flying?” Plato asked, appearing beside Liv.
She shook her head at him. “I’m not a dragon. But hey…remember when you changed into a griffin? Maybe you can do that again and take me across this pond of hotness.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Plato held his nose up high like the smell of the burning rock was distasteful to him.
“Oh, that’s right. We’re playing that game again.”
“Again?” Plato questioned as if she were the crazy one.
They fell silent, the only sound the gurgling of the lava. After a few minutes, Plato said, “You know, it might not be that hot, actually.”
An abrupt laugh fell out of Liv’s mouth. “Are you serious? I saw a fly evaporate when it was a few feet from the surface.”
Plato shrugged. “Yeah, I guess it’s pretty warm from this distance.”
“You guess?” Liv asked, wiping her forehead of sweat yet again.
“Oh, well, I don’t sweat or get warm, or really have any changes to my core temperature.”
“Because?” Liv asked.
“Magic,” he answered simply.
“And here I thought you were on one of those trendy supplements that all the housewives who are bordering on menopause on the West Coast are chugging.”
As if he didn’t hear her, Plato asked, “As I said, have you thought about flying?”
She tapped her chin. “You know what, I hadn’t. Let me just manifest some wings, and then I’ll be off. I’ll meet you on the other side of the rainbow. Don’t open the pot of gold without me.”
Plato was not impressed with this retort, based on the way he batted his eyes. “You don’t open a pot of gold. And I'm serious.”
“Flying?” Liv questioned. “You think that’s something I can do?”
“Well, maybe,” Plato said, indecision strong in his tone. “There’s only one way to find out.”
“And if I fail, I’ll land in a bunch of hot lava, which if you didn’t know, will melt my bones,” Liv stated.
“I don’t sweat, but I know what lava does.”
“Just checking.”
“But seriously, have you tried a floating incantation?” Plato asked.
“I have, and I’m not really great at it,” Liv answered. “I think I need to
have mastered it to perform it over hot lava.”
“From my ideology, there’s no better testing ground than the one here,” Plato said.
“Right, because the stakes are high.”
“And you’ll concentrate instead of day-dreaming about boys.”
Liv huffed. “I’ve never. Not even once.”
“There was that one time.”
She faced forward, thinking about her options. “So, the floating incantation…do you think it could work?”
“It might.”
“If it doesn’t, will you catch me?” Liv asked, hope in her voice.
“I can’t make any promises,” he answered.
“Fine, so you want me to try my best, that’s what you’re saying?”
“I’m saying I have an appointment in about ten minutes, so it depends,” Plato answered.
“Oh, you’re insufferable.”
Plato held up his paw like he was looking at his watch. “Would you look at that. My appointment just got shoved up by five minutes.”
“That’s fine,” Liv said dismissively. “You can leave now. I don’t need you.”
She needed him to stay and rescue her if she failed, but she was not going to say that. Instead, she pressed her eyes shut and muttered the incantation over and over, hoping it worked. Hoping she knew how to control it. Hoping it ended differently than the last time she’d tried to float.
Ever since seeing Shitkphace float or fly or whatever he did in Venice, Liv had been trying to master the spell. It wasn’t an easy one. When she’d asked Akio about it, his brow had furrowed, and he’d said she was much too young and inexperienced to try such a spell. Apparently, it wasn’t something that people who weren’t pilfering magical energy like Shitkphace tried, but Liv was determined to be just as badass as her opponents, without stealing the power to be that.
“I really hope this works,” Liv muttered under her breath, wiggling her fingers by her side.
“You might want to open your eyes,” Plato’s voice cut in.
Liv shook her head, clenching her eyes shut even harder. “I’m trying to concentrate. Don’t mess me up or I’ll never get off the ground.”
“About that…” Plato said, a hint of mischief in his eyes.
Liv’s eyes sprang open. She was ready to admit defeat until she spied the empty air under her feet. Panic suddenly filling her being, and she kicked her legs like she was riding a bicycle. Automatically, she came down several feet, the bottoms of her boots melting from the close contact with the lava. Swimming through the air, Liv forced herself back up to where she had been when she opened her eyes.
“Might I suggest that you concentrate?” Plato said from the ground, although his voice sounded like it was in her head.
“Thanks for the tip,” Liv said absentmindedly, trying to just that. She focused on the patch of ground in the distance where she’d seen Indikos land. It was on the far side of the bright orange lava that flowed like water but didn’t have the inviting appearance of a cool lagoon.
Never before had Liv been so aware of how her thoughts controlled all aspects of a spell. As soon as her focus drifted slightly, so did her placement above the lava, making heat crawl up her backside. Several times she had to block everything out and encourage herself to go higher. But then, like a child easily distracted by their environment, she’d gradually float back down until she was dangerously close to the lava.
Not until she was safely over ground bountiful with lush plants did Liv allow herself to descend, coming down to the surface like Mary Poppins did when landing. Liv didn’t realize she was holding her breath until her feet touched the ground.
She’d done it! She’d floated. Or flew. Or whatever it was considered. That didn’t matter, she realized as she looked back over her shoulder to where she’d come from. Plato was in the distance, his tail flicking back and forth, or so she imagined.
Indikos landed on her shoulder soundlessly, a disapproving look on his face.
Liv glanced at the dragon sideways. “Why, yes, I made it just fine. Thanks for inquiring.”
The dragon might have seemed pretty heartless, but he had his moments. He pecked Liv’s shoulder, and she realized something was in his mouth. Lifting her hand to his beak-like mouth, she waited for him to release it.
A cocoa bean fell into her palm. It wasn’t a piece of rich, milky chocolate, but it would have the same effect, restoring her magic.
Liv took it appreciatively, holding it up. “Thanks, pal. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you like me.”
As if in answer, the dragon soared into a dense cluster of trees up ahead.
Liv shook her head. “Why do the magical creatures in my life have to be such helpful pains in the asses?”
Chapter Eight
This jungle almost appeared like it was locked down, its vines creating a thick wall that prevented Liv from entering easily. She strode around the perimeter, looking for a way into the fortress. When an entrance didn’t appear, Liv held up her hand and fired a spell at the thick wall of trees.
An opening formed, leading to a dark path into the forest. Liv took a step forward, but before she entered, the opening sealed up again.
“Cute,” she said, not meaning it.
She didn’t think floating would work again. For one, she’d need to lift over thirty feet in the air to clear the first line of trees. Also, she was worried about depleting her magical reserves without knowing what else she’d face on the island.
Considering her options, Liv tried to figure out the best strategy for entering the jungle. She couldn’t help but think that the planning would be easier if she had input from a bird’s eye view.
“Too bad I don’t have a small dragon flying around somewhere,” Liv yelled to the forest.
A moment later, a great shaking noise echoed through the branches. Liv expected Indikos to surface and maybe be ready to help. He didn’t.
She had the herb that Rory had given her and thought it might be useful at helping them to strategize. However, the dragon had disappeared, leaving her to fend for herself.
“I just hope you show back up at some point,” Liv said out loud. “I did come all this way for you, after all.”
She realized that wasn’t completely true as she pressed her hand to her mother’s sword at her side. It gave her a sudden idea.
Pulling Bellator from its sheath, Liv faced off with the jungle. She reasoned that Hawaiki had put this spell on the jungle to keep magicians and other magical creatures away. Mortals wouldn’t have been able to make it this far since boats wouldn’t come to the island and portals were only allowed on the far end where she’d started from.
“Sorry, trees,” Liv said, holding Bellator high before swinging it, cutting through the thick branches and vines.
To Liv’s relief, the foliage didn’t grow back. She continued to cut through the jungled, etching out a path, although she didn’t know exactly where she was going.
“Again, it would be cool if I had a magical creature who was up high and could direct me,” Liv muttered.
The tops of the trees shook violently. Liv was pretty sure Indikos was flying around in the canopy, lurking and messing with her. That was fine. He’d been through a lot, she reasoned. And he had been Adler’s dragon, which meant he had some issues to work through. Still, the tiny dragon had asked for her help and done the right thing by helping them locate Sophia’s egg. Liv had faith that Indikos would come around and be a good dragon. Currently, though, he was driving her bonkers.
Liv was slicing through the brush when she heard a loud buzzing beside her face. She swatted, her hand knocking against something. Twice more the bug harassing her zipped by her face.
After only a short distance, Liv was exhausted, covered in sweat, and growing dehydrated from the heat. However, her reserves weren’t even close to being depleted. She assumed most magicians weren’t used to such physical exertion, which made this a genius way for Hawaiki to keep people out, but it w
asn’t going to deter Liv.
Once she’d rested enough, she continued slicing through the brush, making progress to a better-lit area up ahead. A clearing maybe, Liv thought with hope. If Hawaiki’s home was just up ahead, then this wouldn’t be such a terrible mission after all. She’d be back home in time to have dinner with Sophia and Todd.
Feeling encouraged, Liv whacked through several thick vines just as a bug about the size of a penny landed on her arm. Startled at first by the large black beetle’s sudden appearance, Liv swatted it away. Her hand knocked it to the ground, from which it glanced up at her and seemed to throw one of its legs into the air and shake it at her angrily.
Liv shook her head, wondering if she was hallucinating. Had she just offended a beetle? Maybe the fumes from the volcano were getting to her. Or she’d been bitten by a tree frog. Or the universe was again messing with her for its own entertainment. She sort of figured that God or the gods or whoever was ruling this planet had designed her life as a farce, making it suitable for reality television. She pictured that this entity watched over her with a tub of popcorn, laughing as the hilarity happened around Liv.
She was caught up in this daydream when another of the large beetles landed on her arm. Unconcerned with offending the creature, she brushed it off, sending it to the ground, where it scurried away. Liv could have sworn she heard muttering, and the beetle seemed to shake his head in offense.
“Sorry,” Liv called after the retreating bug. “No free rides.”
She continued to slice through the jungle, the clearing ahead growing more distinct.
“Crazy-ass place with its lava and thick jungle and easily offended beetles,” Liv remarked to herself, realizing she had been talking to herself a lot more lately. She slashed down a large branch obstructing the path. “And, not that I should have to explain myself, those beetles have some serious pincers. I’d rather not become their dinner.”
Ahead something shook the canopy overhead. Liv paused, wondering if Indikos was about to resurface.
The branches of a thick tree parted and a dark shadow fell on Liv. What appeared overhead wasn’t Indikos. Not even close.