The Ferocious Force

by Sarah Noffke

  He studied her expression for a moment. “Earlier, when I picked you up, and you wondered what had me in awe?”

  “Oh, this ridiculous dress,” she said, looking down at the magicked material, which kept shifting from dark greens to light pinks.

  He shook his head, offering his hand to her. “May I please have this dance, Ms. Liv Beaufont?”

  Terror raced around in her mind, screaming that she should run through a burning building first, or maybe try to hunt down a deranged three-headed dragon.

  “I promise you I don’t bite,” Stefan said, having sensed her apprehension.

  With no way to refuse, Liv took his hand, allowing him to lead her onto the dance floor. Once enfolded in his arms, he effortlessly led them across the space, dancing with a grace she’d had no idea he possessed.

  “You can actually dance,” Liv said, staring over Stefan’s shoulder.

  “There are a lot of things about me you don’t know,” he said in a teasing voice.

  “Like what?” Liv asked.

  “Well, my favorite ice cream flavor is cookies and cream, pineapple on pizza should be outlawed, and Eggs Benedict is the only real breakfast food.”

  “Anything that doesn’t involve your dietary preferences?” Liv asked.

  “Is there anything else you need to know about a person?”

  She shrugged. “Not really.”

  “I have a question for you,” Stefan said, twirling Liv around the dance floor, a strange elegance to his movements. It was like when he was on the battlefield racing after demons, but softer. Meant for her. And it was perfect.

  “Blue,” she said at once, trying to cover her sudden nervousness

  He shook his head. “I don’t want to know your favorite color.”

  “Eight,” she supplied.

  “Nor your favorite number.”

  She huffed. “That shows how much you know. That’s the number of men I’ve killed.”

  He laughed. “No, it’s not.”

  “Yeah, you’re right, it’s not.”

  Stefan dipped her slightly, suddenly serious. “Liv, I know you’re working on something separate from House business. You don’t have to tell me, but you can trust me if you want to.”

  Liv stood and parted from Stefan, suddenly put off balance by his request. He hadn’t pushed her, and yet that was exactly what it felt like. Deep inside, she knew he could be trusted, but she couldn’t tell him about the House of Fourteen. Before, she hadn’t wanted to put him in danger. Now that she knew a Beaufont was the only one who spread the information and it would make the person take up the cause, it was even harder. Stefan was already governed by a curse that made him tirelessly fight evil. How could she burden him any further?

  However, as she peered deep into his blue eyes, she realized two things simultaneously. First, she respected Stefan Ludwig almost more than anyone else in the world. He hadn’t blindly asked for trust. He’d earned it. Time and time again, in the silent moments of battle together, in the dark hours when nightmares became real as they fought beasts, Stefan had proven through his actions that no matter what, he’d never let her down.

  The other realization was so much subtler, and yet just as powerful. Stefan Ludwig, whether he was a friend or someone much closer to Liv, he deserved to know about the House of Fourteen.

  Liv glided her hand down until it met his. Then she pulled him away from the crowd and told him everything.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  The upgraded signal had been broadcasting for twenty-four hours.

  That should have been enough time.

  Adler Sinclair paced, his robe tangling between his legs.

  Something was wrong. He knew it. He’d never been one to trust instincts; those were pesky emotions that proved nothing. However, he couldn’t shake the strange feeling in his stomach, as though something that had been connected to him for a long time was gone. Missing. Vacant.

  But that was impossible. We aren’t all connected like dumb hippies like to think, Adler thought. Everyone was alone, trying to make the best of the circumstances they were placed in. Currently, Adler needed to know what the signal was doing. He stopped himself from tweaking it. Changing things. Instead, he just continued to pace, waiting.

  The ring of the phone in his pocket nearly made him jump.

  Scrambling, Adler pulled his phone from his pocket, and it nearly fell out of his hands when he placed it to his ear.

  “What?” he barked into the receiver.

  “Sir?” the woman’s voice said.

  “Yes, what?”

  “It’s working,” she reported, not needing to say more.

  “Are you sure?” he asked.

  “Yes. An epidemic has befallen North America’s largest cities,” the woman reported. “Thousands are dying.”

  Adler hung up, smiling for the first time in what felt like forever.

  He had done it. Mortals would soon be extinct.

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  “Wow, I knew it,” Stefan said when Liv had finished telling him everything.

  She regarded him with a look of pure disbelief for a full ten seconds. Then she slapped him on the arm. “No, you didn’t.”

  He laughed, catching her hand and holding it. “No, Liv, I didn’t. But wow! That’s crazy.” Shaking his head, his blue eyes grew larger. “Only you could have uncovered this.”

  “It was my destiny,” she explained. “Beaufonts are meant to find this information. It’s what killed my parents, my siblings, and who knows who else.”

  With a somber look, Stefan nodded. “And you told me. I’m really grateful for that. We have a lot of work to do.”

  Her first instinct was to tell him to stay out of it, that this was her business. However, since she had decided to bring Stefan into things, she had to allow him to help. And if she was honest with herself, she was relieved to know he was part of it now. She didn’t want to put him in danger, but she did want to win this. That seemed more likely with Stefan on her side.

  Staring out at the stars, Liv watched with Stefan as stars streaked across the inky darkness. She tried to make a new wish every time one rocketed by, but they fell with such quickness, it was hard to keep up.

  “Are you counting stars?” Stefan asked, and Liv realized that as she watched the stars, he was watching her.

  “Stop looking at me like that just because I’m wearing a dumb dress,” she scolded.

  He laughed. “You’ve got me all wrong. I’m not looking at you because you’re wearing a dress or your hair is brushed or your sister painted your face.” Stefan leaned close. “I actually prefer you in a cape and boots with a sword at your side.”

  “Stop sucking up, Ludwig,” Liv said, pulling away slightly.

  “It’s true,” he said, yanking her back in close.

  To her horror, a dumb-ass giggle escaped Liv’s mouth. She couldn’t believe it. She’d giggled. Whoever had spiked her drink was going to die. But as she looked at Stefan, she did feel strangely giddy.

  “Do you prefer me as a warrior?” Stefan asked.

  Liv took a step back, checking out his smart tuxedo. “I don’t know. I could get used to seeing you in tails.”

  Stefan gracefully found her hand in a swift movement that would have gone unnoticed by most. He moved like the wind, a gift he had stolen from demons and used for the good of the Warriors. Twirling her out and then back into him, he caught her with his other hand.

  “What did you wish for, Liv?” he whispered beside her head.

  She closed her eyes, not wanting to allow herself this moment but needing it more than she knew.

  “A happy ending,” she answered honestly.

  If her eyes had been open, she would have seen her dress blossom all over, making her appear to be a spring garden where love was allowed to flourish.

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Liv and Stefan stood starring at the falling stars for a long time.

  Finally, he said, “I never took
you as the type to wish.”

  “I just thought it couldn’t hurt,” she stated.

  “Well, I have a whole bag of coins for you to throw into that fountain in your house,” he said, a laugh in his voice.

  She wiggled out of his arms, feigning an expression of fury. “Oh, don’t you mock me, Mr. Ludwig.”

  “I wouldn’t dream of it, Ms. Beaufont,” he replied, bowing to her. “So what’s next? How do we return it to the House of Fourteen?” Stefan asked, looking around at the display of planets and stars.

  “I keep following the clues,” she said. “I’ve got to find Adler.”

  “Speaking of following clues,” Rory said, interrupting them.

  Liv turned around to find the giant standing next to his mum Bermuda. “Hey.”

  Rory glanced around the area. There was no one else around, most being off dancing. From his large suit jacket, Rory pulled a book. “This is what Mum recovered.”

  Liv took the book, finding it much heavier than she expected. “Wow, what are these pages made out of? Lead?”

  “Paper, dear Liv,” Bermuda corrected, not appearing amused.

  “Oh, sorry,” Liv said unapologetically. “I totally thought the book was made of metal.”

  Rory gave his mother a sideways glance. “No, she didn’t.”

  “Do either of you want to tell me what’s going on?” She indicated Stefan. “He can be trusted.”

  “Of course, he can,” Bermuda said. “That was why you just told him the secret that only a Beaufont can pass along.”

  Liv gave the giant a dumbfounded expression. “How do you know…Never mind. I’m chalking it all up to voodoo at this point.”

  Bermuda pointed to the book in Liv’s hands. “That’s the Forgotten Archive. Once you activate it, the real history, the one everyone was forced to forget, will automatically take over. However, it’s important that mortals can see magic first. Otherwise, they will question the new history. The timing of everything is important.”

  Liv studied the book, which appeared completely normal. “I can’t believe this is the solution. I just have to make mortals see magic again.”

  “Believe me when I say that I had the easy job,” Bermuda stated.

  “That reminds me,” Liv said, handing the book to Stefan. He gave her a questioning glance. “Does it look like I’ve got pockets in this dress?”

  He nodded at once and slipped the book into his pocket.

  “What happened to Decar?” Liv asked the giants.

  They exchanged looks. “Although we preferred for it not to come to this, we ended up having to battle just before arriving here. He wouldn’t let up on us,” Bermuda explained.

  “He’s dead now,” Rory said.

  Liv didn’t feel better knowing this. The death of ones’ enemies didn’t bring peace. It simply reminded them of the horrible things they faced, that death was even an option.

  “But you two are safe,” Liv said in a hushed voice. “I’m grateful for that.”

  “And now you must go and see Rudolf,” Bermuda told her. “He has asked for you.”

  Liv looked over her shoulder at the party going on behind them. “Rudolf? But he’s…”

  “He needs you,” Rory urged.

  Liv nodded, seeing the severity of their expressions. “Okay.” She turned to face Stefan, but he seemed to already sense what she needed to hear.

  “I’ll keep the book safe and be here when you return,” he stated. “Then we’ll head back together.”

  Liv pushed through the crowd, trying to make her way to the front. The drunker the fae got, the harder it was to convince them that she needed to get through the crowd and didn’t want to dance.

  She was almost to the front when Liv noticed a familiar face she hadn’t expected to see there. “Emilio?”

  The Warrior turned around, parting from a beautiful fae with long black hair. He wore a guilty expression and entirely too much cologne.

  “What are you doing here?” Liv questioned.

  Furiously, he shook his head. “You can’t tell my sister. I didn’t think you’d notice me.”

  Liv gave him an incredulous glare. “You are one of three magicians here, and you didn’t think I’d notice you?”

  Grabbing her arm in a very rude manner, he tried to tug her away. Liv yanked her arm back but followed, sensing the urgency he was feeling.

  When they were far enough from the crowd, Emilio turned to her. “I’m in love with a fae.”

  “Are you sure you don’t have an STD?” Liv asked.

  He shook his head. “No. I know they can play mind games and spread strange…”

  “Diseases,” Liv said. “That’s the word you’re looking for.”

  “It’s not that, though,” Emilio said. “We’re in love. And we want to be together.”

  “Congrats,” Liv said, searching the crowd for Rudolf. “I’ll be at the wedding. I already have a dress.”

  Again the Warrior shook his head. “You don’t understand. Bianca has forbidden me to date a fae. She’s told me it’s a betrayal.”

  “Has she looked in the mirror?” Liv asked. “Those high-collared dresses she wears make me feel like I’m suffocating.”

  Emilio didn’t seem to be in the mood to laugh. “As the elder, she can replace me with one of our younger cousins. She says that if I marry a fae, I’ll muddy the Mantovani bloodline. If she finds out, then—”

  “First off,” Liv began, “you’re at a wedding reception for a fae and a mortal. And not just any fae, I’ll remind you. The king of the fae. He’s not worried about muddying his bloodline, although I’m certain he’s not operating with a great genetic pool anyway.”

  “Bianca won’t care,” Emilio stated. “She’s adamant that I not be with anyone who isn’t a magician. She especially hates mortals.”

  Liv let out a long breath. “I’m not surprised. And don’t worry, your secret is safe with me.”

  He sighed in relief. “Thank you.”

  “But this isn’t over,” Liv stated with conviction. “When I have time, which I’m not sure when that will be, I’ll be remedying this issue. I’m tired of living in a segregated magical world.”

  “But the House is only powerful as long as our bloodlines are pure,” Emilio stated.

  Liv shook her head. “That’s what they want us to believe. The House was never about blood. We’re about justice.”

  It took Liv another ten minutes to find Rudolf. He wasn’t on the dance floor, as she expected. He wasn’t licking the chocolate fountain, either. To her surprise, his security brought her to a private area where he was seated beside Serena, who lay on a bed, her forehead sweating profusely.

  “What is it?” Liv asked him.

  He shook his head. “She’s fallen sick.”

  “Why?” Liv asked, studying the area for clues. “Is it the dimension? Elevation sickness? Did she eat plastic again?”

  “I don’t think so,” Rudolf stated. He stood, glancing thoughtfully at his wife. “I’ve had reports from Earth.”

  That was a strange thing to say, but Liv kept her quip locked away.

  “Apparently mortals are growing sick all over the world,” Rudolf explained. “I’m not sure why. Maybe there’s a disease they are falling prey to. I’m also wanted to bring something else to your attention.”

  “Yes?” Liv asked, her heart suddenly beating wildly.

  Rudolf pointed to a decanter on the table beside Serena’s bed. It was filled halfway with bubbling champagne.

  “Wow, that’s super impressive,” Liv said with zero inflection in her voice.

  He shook his head. “You don’t get it. I just tried to fill that decanter all the way up with champagne. It’s been like that all night. My magic…it isn’t at full power anymore…for some reason.”

  Liv took a step back, piecing it all together. Serena hadn’t caught some disease. Rudolf’s magic wasn’t ill. The two were connected, and she suspected that Adler was behind this. Magic was at ris
k because mortals were ill.

  The end was coming soon unless she put a stop to it.

  Chapter Thirty

  Clark turned the Forgotten Archives over in his hand, a cautious expression on his face. “I want to go with you.”

  Liv’s eyes drifted to Stefan, who was propped up in the corner. He’d exchanged his tuxedo for his usual all-black outfit and cape. She’d also changed as soon as she’d returned home.

  “You know you can’t,” Liv stated. “If something happens to me—”

  “Nothing will happen to you,” Stefan cut in.

  She gave him a confident nod and returned her gaze to Clark. “I know you want to go with me, but someone has to look after Sophia.”

  The young magician was asleep on the couch next to John, her head on his lap as he gently combed his fingers through her hair.

  Clark threw his arm at the pair. “John is looking after her.”

  “No,” Liv said deliberately. “I mean if I don’t return.”

  “Liv,” Stefan said, an edge in his voice.

  “There’s a real possibility that I won’t return,” Liv fired. “My parents died on the Matterhorn.”

  “Because Adler cheated and locked their magic,” he argued.

  “It doesn’t matter,” Liv replied. “We don’t know what dangers we’ll face up there. If you’re going with me, then you’ve got to know this could be the most dangerous mission we’ve faced.”

  “I am going with you,” he stated with authority.

  “Why does Stefan get to go with you but I don’t?” Clark said, sounding a bit childish.

  She understood, though. Sitting at home while she and Stefan took out evil bruised Clark’s ego. It would hers, too. But he wasn’t trained for this. He was a Councilor. That was what they did. They stayed behind while Warriors faced down evil and exterminated it.

  “Stefan and I work well together,” she said, keeping her eyes off the other Warrior. Things had shifted between them during the wedding reception. There was no going back to how things had been, and she was absolutely fine with that. Actually, if she were honest with herself, what she had with Stefan was exactly what she wanted. Someone strong at her side. An equal. A relationship that she was proud of. A man she craved. A romance that had the possibility of rivaling her parents’.