by Sarah Noffke
Sophia laughed. “Well, I’m just glad you made it back and didn’t die.”
Lee held out the flower. “I am too, although I’m canceling our vacation plans to Bora Bora.”
A visible shiver ran down Sophia’s neck and shoulders. “Yeah, no thanks. I think I’ve had enough island experience to last me for a while.”
“Same,” Lee related, holding out the moaning desmond. “Your flower, dragonrider.”
Sophia retrieved the special pouch Mama Jamba had made for just this purpose. She held it open, indicating the assassin should drop it into the bag. When it fell into the pouch, light as a feather, Sophia pulled the drawstrings closed with a grateful smile.
“I really appreciate your help with this,” Sophia told her.
“I’d really appreciate it if you never tell anyone what happened on that mast,” Lee stated.
“The part where you looked like you were about to cry?” Sophia teased.
“Yeah, and I won’t tell anyone about how you almost peed yourself on the radio tower.”
“You’re a real friend,” Sophia said, backing for the end of the alley, intending to see Bep at the Rose Apothecary.
“I don’t have many that I consider friends. More importantly, I have very few who would consider me a friend, but you, Sophia Beaufont, I’m glad to have you as one.”
Chapter Thirty-One
Bep had taken the moaning desmond, not at all looking impressed that Sophia had risked her life to successfully get it. Instead, she’d bustled to the back of the shop as she waved Sophia to the door and said, “Leave me to it. The memory elixir will be ready in a few days. Come back then.”
Which left Sophia with nothing to do but return to the Castle and give Hiker an update. She was grateful to find she was interrupting a meeting of the dragonriders when she entered his office.
“What are you doing here?” Hiker asked when she plopped down on the sofa next to Mama Jamba. It had been too long since she’d taken a load off.
“Oh, good to see you, Sophia,” she said, impersonating the Viking. “How are you? I’m glad to know you’ve returned from your latest mission safely.”
“You’ve obviously returned safely,” Hiker said with no sympathy. “Were you successful with the tasks I’ve assigned to you?”
Evan leaned forward, a curious expression on his face. “What’s this mission you’ve been on? We know you weren’t out tracking down those evil rug rats.”
“That’s none of your concern,” Hiker cut in before Sophia could answer.
“It was boring,” Sophia said, yawning. “I faced a smoke monster that gave me an acute case of depression, a temple of monks, a businessman who was strangely helpful, helped an assassin overcome their fear of heights, and got a boatload of sand in my boots.”
“But, were you successful?” Hiker asked, his voice stern.
“Why thank you, it was arduous and deadly at every turn,” Sophia related, knowing Hiker was moments away from murdering her if she didn’t have the information he wanted.
“As peacekeepers,” Wilder began from his place perched on the corner of Hiker’s desk, “should you really be helping assassins overcome their fears?”
Sophia shrugged. “Well, she was doing me a favor.”
“And this favor?” Hiker questioned, his tone growing tense. “Were you successful?”
“I was,” Sophia chirped. “Now we’re on phase two, and I’ve got to wait for the potions expert. Then I can help you-know-who with you-know-what.”
Evan and Wilder exchanged curious expressions. “What’s this person’s last name? I don’t want to get them mixed up with the wrong person. Is this that business I’m thinking of?”
“They don’t have last names,” Sophia lied. “And it’s exactly what you’re thinking of.”
Evan nodded proudly and slapped Wilder on the shoulder. “You’re finally hitting manhood. Yay for Sophia for finding the potion that will help you join the rest of us.”
Wilder grinned at his friend. “My last name is Thomson.”
“So you say,” Evan teased.
“There was something else of interest from my mission,” Sophia went on.
“This sand you got in your boots,” Mama Jamba began. “Do you have any of it with you?”
Sophia gave Mother Nature a curious expression before unlacing her boot. “Yeah, sure. The businessman I met, he randomly mentioned something that I think could help with the lost dragons. Any luck with them?”
“Yeah, we found them all and returned them to the nursery,” Evan lied. “That’s why our esteemed leader looks so calm and collected.”
Hiker shook his head, his hair completely abused by the many times he’d thrown his hand into it. His desk was a mess, piled high with newspapers from all over the world. His eyes kept darting to the television in the corner, which was currently muted. “Tracking them is proving difficult. But worse is that mortals are spotting them before we can get to their location. It’s only a matter of time before things escalate.”
“This information that you learned,” Mahkah urged, always a calming voice of reason.
Sophia nodded, emptying her boot onto the floor in front of Mama Jamba, to Hiker’s annoyance. The old woman smiled and looked delighted by the mess. “Yeah, he mentioned something about a protective spell. He said, if you can’t find those that have fled, then instead, use a spell to keep them hidden. Even that which is evil deserves to be protected. I think he was referring to the bad dragons.”
“How do we know we can trust him?” Hiker asked.
“Well, we don’t,” Sophia answered after consideration. “But he was on a mysterious and magical island and had walked out of a temple wearing a business suit and offered me advice on a mission he had no way of knowing about. I think he was trying to be helpful, although his other advice was off.” Sophia had reasoned the captain of the Black Rock had to be Penny, and that’s what the businessman meant by Penny’s boat. Maybe that’s why it was covered in copper coins. Regardless, they’d found the moaning desmond and been successful.
“What do you think?” Hiker asked his gaze on Mama Jamba.
The old woman was studying the contents of a box of chocolates, reading the different flavors on the lid. “I think they put too many raspberry liqueurs in these assortments. I want more chocolate fudge and less cherry covered things.”
“I was referring to the advice from this mysterious figure,” Hiker said with a sigh.
Mama Jamba looked up. “Obviously, I know what you were referring to. And although I’m not going to endorse this idea since making decisions for the Dragon Elite is your job, I will say there is one person in particular who might know about this spell.”
“It’s funny,” Hiker said, not laughing. “When you want things to go your way, you’re all too happy to intervene and overrule my authority. However, the moment I ask for a bit of clarification, all of a sudden, you’ve got boundaries you won’t cross.”
Mama Jamba took a bite of a truffle and then spat it out. “Oh, caramel. Seriously, the fae who invented that was trying to get all their pretty counterparts to lose their teeth. Smart guy, but it works on more than just fae.”
“Mama,” Hiker urged, his temper flaring.
Mother Nature put her finger in her mouth, trying to work a piece of caramel out from behind one of her teeth. “Oh, fine, son. Yes, that’s a good option. Hiding the dragons from mortals could work, but you don’t want them hidden from you, so a full-on invisibility spell won’t do.”
“What if…” Sophia paused as she worked out the details in her head. “What if it was like the spell that was used before so that mortals couldn’t see magic? They couldn’t see dragons then, right?”
Hiker’s eyes narrowed. “The spell that nearly ruined the Dragon Elite for centuries.”
“That’s the one!” Evan cheered rudely. “Great thinking Sophia. Way to really make our leader feel better and dredge up memories of the painful past.”
&nbs
p; Sophia shook her head at the dragonrider before returning her attention to Hiker. “Think about it. Maybe we can localize the spell so that it only works on the evil dragons. That will give us time to find them and hopefully convince them to return to the Gullington before the world goes berserk.”
While Hiker thought this over, Mahkah again cut in with his voice of reason. “Things are heating up politically. The world needs time to dissipate all the excitement over dragons. This could give us the opportunity we need.”
The Viking glared at Mama Jamba, who was breaking into different chocolates and then discarding them based on what she found inside. “And this person who could help?”
“Well, the only expert I know of on all magical creatures,” Mama Jamba said, chewing.
“You’re the expert on magical creatures since you made most of them,” Hiker retorted, annoyance flaring in his tone.
She nodded. “But I’m not going to tell you how the spell works.”
“No, of course not.” Hiker rolled his eyes. “You’re just right here with the information we need.”
“I’m busy, son.” She picked another chocolate and studied it before taking a small bite.
“Yeah, she’s busy, sir,” Evan joked. “Can’t you see that? Can I have a chocolate, Mama Jamba?”
She didn’t verbally answer, but the look she gave Evan was pretty clear.
“Don’t you need to go and oil your dog’s gears or something, Evan?” Hiker asked.
“Nah, I’m good,” Evan remarked. “NO10JO is currently chewing up Quiet’s favorite pair of slippers because I dipped them in bacon drippings from the kitchen.”
“You really need more to do,” Sophia stated, shaking her head at him.
“That little runt stole all my belts, and now I have to use rope to tie up my pants or risk them coming down.” Evan held up his arms, his shirt coming up to show his pants cinched tight with frayed rope. “I don’t think this is going to hold much longer.”
“Wild, loan that boy a belt. My eyes can’t risk that rope breaking,” Sophia said with panic in her voice. She turned her head to the side, shielding her eyes like Evan’s pants might come down at any moment.
Evan laughed. “That boy’s belts won’t fit a man like me.”
Wilder nodded. “Because of your gut? I know. But if you start working out, maybe you can slim down.”
“Can we focus?” Hiker said. “Mama, this expert?”
Mother Nature continued to pick through the chocolates, not saying a word.
“I think she’s referring to Bermuda Laurens,” Sophia offered. “She’s the resident expert on magical creatures, having written exhaustive volumes on the subject.”
Hiker considered this, his attention still on Mama Jamba. “And we need her help because we want to specify the spell for the evil dragons, is that right?”
Mama Jamba chewed, her eyes closed as though she was really trying to take in the taste experience.
The Viking huffed. “Fine. I’ll take that as a yes.” He turned his attention to Sophia. “Do you know where to find Bermuda?”
Sophia thought for a moment. “No, but I can message my sister Liv, and she can message Bermuda’s son Rory, and he’ll probably know.”
“Seems like you should get her phone number for the next time so you can message her directly,” Evan offered. “Maybe she can airdrop it to you.”
Hiker studied Evan. “What’s airdropping, and how do you know about it?”
Evan’s eyes widened momentarily before he gulped and headed for the door. “What’s that? Quiet needs my help with something. I’ll be right there, little guy.” He hurried out of the office.
The leader of the Dragon Elite shook his head. “That boy will be the death of me.”
“And me,” Sophia agreed.
“I want you to go and find Bermuda,” he ordered. “Have her tell you how this spell could work and fast. Time is crucial here.” Turning his attention to the others, he gave them a stern expression. “You two, keep looking for the dragons and tell that dimwit in the hallway pretending to look for Quiet he’s to do the same. We’ve got to find those dragons before the mortals do and all-out war happens.”
Mahkah nodded and headed for the exit.
Wilder’s mouth twitched. “Actually, sir. I think I should assist Sophia if that’s okay.”
Hiker narrowed his eyes at him. “She’s completely capable of finding Bermuda on her own.”
“Absolutely she is,” Wilder remarked. “No doubt. But after her last mission, there’s potential there will be hidden dangers, and since as you say time is crucial, I thought if I was there, I could help and maybe make things go faster.”
Hiker didn’t seem to be buying this, based on the skeptical expression on his face.
“I think it’s a marvelous idea,” Mama Jamba said, lying back as she slid the box of chocolates to the far side of the sofa to put them out of her reach.
Hiker lowered his chin and gave her a petulant expression. “How come when I want your advice, you don’t give it, and when I don’t, you’re all too happy to offer it?”
She smiled. “It’s a gift, son.”
He shook his head and looked between Wilder and Sophia. “Fine. Go with her, but I expect if you two are both on the case, then you better be fast.”
“We’ll be back before you know it,” Wilder said, turning to Sophia and winking at her.
“I don’t want you back before I know it,” Hiker grumbled. “I just want you back with a solution before all hell breaks loose on this planet.”
“Amen to that, son,” Mama Jamba sang.
Chapter Thirty-Two
The grounds of the magical circus were quiet during the off hour, with most of the performers resting in their caravans or tents. The hay on the ground crunched under Sophia’s boots as they marched to the far side where the animals were being kept, according to the nice three-armed man she’d asked.
“So you’re not mad that I’m here?” Wilder asked, at her side.
She shook her head. “No, of course not.”
“It’s just that—”
“If we didn’t go on a mission together, then there would be no way for us to spend time with one another,” she said, cutting him off, having figured out his reasoning before he even had a chance to explain.
He nodded. “Yeah, and I think Hiker keeps trying to send me on long missions that keep me away from you.”
She couldn’t argue with that. Even Mama Jamba had said it was pretty transparent. “I’m glad you’re here, obviously. I don’t think you’ll speed up this part of the mission, as promised, but I’d rather have you here with me.”
He tugged her into the shadows of a small tent and pressed his face almost all the way up against hers, a sideways smile on his mouth. “I’m certain I’ll just make it take longer. But I think of it more as a morale builder than anything else. We’ve both been working hard.”
Sophia returned the smile, pretending to divert her eyes from his with a playful expression. “I have been thinking about a team-building experience for the gang.”
“Oh, well, let Mahkah and Evan go on their side quest-slash-morale-building mission,” Wilder said, his lips a breath from hers. “I’m not sharing you with them. Not when I have to go so long between times I get to see you.”
He kissed her in the still air of the circus, the strange smells from the neighboring trailers passing by them unnoticed. The two dragonriders took a moment selfishly for themselves before once again devoting their time, energy, and lives to the planet.
Wilder peeled away, reluctance heavy in his eyes. “Okay, so we have to go and find Bermuda?”
“I’m afraid we do,” Sophia said and took a step to the side, knowing she had to remain focused. “I’m sure this will be straightforward, and we’ll resolve things quickly, easily, and painlessly.”
Wilder laughed. “Whatever drugs you’re on, I want some.”
She laughed. “Yeah, someone definitely slipp
ed me some hallucinogens.”
“Did you eat some of Mama Jamba’s chocolates?” Wilder teased.
“Just wishful thinking,” Sophia said, knowing the truth was she wanted to desperately be back in Wilder’s arms, but only when it made sense and the world at large wasn’t begging for her attention. Then she could really allow herself to enjoy it…and him.
Releasing her with visible reluctance, the same as she was feeling, Wilder stayed close by Sophia’s side as they strode through the circus grounds. Circus performers in street clothes glanced up at the two outsiders as they passed their trailers. With good reason, they gave them cautious glares.
There weren’t any shows that day at the circus—a rare day off for the performers and crew. Still, everyone they passed seemed on guard.
Sophia had once heard the circus was hesitant to allow outsiders into their midst, and she could see why. Most of the world throughout history had regarded the circus as a bunch of freaks. People loved to be entertained by these special individuals, but also to ridicule them for being different.
The performers and crew took the public’s money, but deep down, there was a skepticism of the people who made them feel like outcasts in society.
Sophia offered the men grilling outside their trailers or mothers roping in children running around like a flock of chicken, polite smiles. Still, she kept her eyes low, realizing she must look very strange to them, not just as an outsider, but also because she was wearing armor, a traveling cloak, and a sword.
“So Bermuda is in that tent at the far side,” Sophia said, pointing toward a large blue and green striped big top. It was the largest one and where the nightly performances were held.
“This circus…” Wilder was on high alert as they passed men standing shoulder to shoulder in front of a trailer.
“It’s full of magical creatures,” she told him, tight-lipped. “Elves, magicians, gnomes, fairies.”
“And the animals in this tent Bermuda is managing?” Wilder asked, but by the tone of his voice, he already knew the answer.
“They are all magical and have strange abilities, I’m guessing,” she answered.