by Sarah Noffke
Instead, Sophia ordered traditional fare for Hiker and Ainsley, burgers for the guys, and pancakes for her and Mama Jamba.
“Nice!” Evan exclaimed, striding into the dining hall. NO10JO paused at the threshold, used to not coming in. “Oh, that mean old witch isn’t here to stop us. Come on in, boy.” He patted his leg, and the dog trotted over, his tongue hanging out of his half metal mouth. Sometimes he seemed like a completely real dog to Sophia. She guessed that like the other cyborgs, it was because he really was at his core.
“She’s not a mean old witch,” Sophia scolded, leaning back on her chair and watching as Hiker entered with a tentative expression on his face. “And she is here. I took her food up to her room already.”
The leader of the Dragon Elite gave her a careful look, probably wondering what she’d tell the others.
“Well, I don’t know what is wrong with her,” Evan said as he grabbed one of the burgers and put it on his plate. “But I think that Sophia should be in charge of cooking all the meals.”
“Sophia has missions to attend to,” Hiker grumbled, narrowing his eyes at the bangers and mash she’d set on his plate as if there was a trick waiting for him.
“What is going on with Ainsley?” Wilder asked as he took a seat next to Mahkah, who looked just as curious.
Hiker didn’t answer. He didn’t look capable of speech. The sight of food he’d actually eat had stolen his words. He did appear a bit skinnier, but probably not just because Ainsley refused to serve anything he actually liked, but also because of his stress regarding the shapeshifter.
“She’s recovering,” Sophia replied. “Soon, we’ll have the cure and she’ll be able to leave the Gullington.”
“Woot!” Evan said. “Then no more meanie-face housekeeper.”
“She’s not a meanie-face,” Sophia replied, giving him a punishing expression. “She plans on hiring someone to replace her who won’t put up with your bad behavior, so don’t expect to get away with too much.”
“A man can dream.” Evan took a bite of his burger and his eyes lit up.
“What about you, though?” Wilder joked. “Can a boy dream?”
“Ha-ha,” Evan said and reached for the last burger on the tray.
Sophia’s hand darted forward and slapped his. “That one is for Quiet.”
“But the little guy isn’t here,” Evan argued, looking around. “Wait, maybe he is and I’m just not seeing him. Quiet? Here, boy? Where you be?”
As if waiting to be called, the groundskeeper entered at Mama Jamba’s side. His eyes lit up with delight at the sight of the spread. There were also a few large baskets of French fries, tater tots, and onion rings.
Sophia picked up the burger and put it on Quiet’s plate, sticking her tongue out at Evan.
He returned the gesture as he grabbed a handful of fries.
“Real mature, you two,” Hiker said, still eyeing his food like it wasn’t real.
“Pancakes!” Mama Jamba gave Sophia an appreciative nod. “Good choice on your part. Mae Ling would be proud.”
Sophia glanced down at her stack of pancakes and smiled.
“Who is Mae Ling?” Hiker asked, taking his first bite.
“No one, son,” Mama Jamba replied.
“Somehow, I highly doubt that.” His face transformed as he chewed the sausage. “That’s…good.”
“Delicious,” Wilder corrected, wiping his mouth after he’d scarfed down his burger.
“Where are you with finding this protective spell for the dragonettes?” Hiker asked, eating with more tenacity.
“I need to go to the Great Library and do some research,” Sophia explained. “After that, I’ll know more.”
“Why aren’t you there now?” Evan wanted to know through a mouthful. He was using the suck up tone he employed when they played their sibling rivalry games. “Hiker told us protecting the dragonettes was a chief priority.”
Before she could form a rebuttal, the leader of the Dragon Elite answered, “Sophia fed us. And also, she’s recovering.”
“From what?” Evan asked, looking her over. “She looks as puny as she usually does. Are you taking your vitamins? You look a bit pale.”
“It’s because the current company makes me sick,” she spat.
Evan hissed, peeling back slightly before shaking his head at Wilder. “You make your girlfriend ill. That’s pretty sad. And y’all ain’t even past the honeymoon stage yet.”
Sophia nearly choked on her bite.
“They aren’t married either,” Hiker remarked, having nearly finished his plate of food and eyeing the onion rings.
“Not yet,” Wilder sang, and this time Sophia did cough up a bit of her food.
Mama Jamba smiled politely at her. “They are that good, dear. I nearly swallowed the first few bites whole, they were so yummy. Just remember to chew.”
“I don’t think it’s the pancakes making the Pink Princess choke,” Evan stated with a rude laugh.
“Again, it’s the sight of your face,” she retorted. “Can you wear a mask at the table from now on?”
“I would, but I can’t breathe well in one of those,” Evan replied.
“Then I insist you do,” Wilder said, winking at Sophia.
“I want you to make the Great Library your first priority tomorrow morning,” Hiker ordered Sophia.
“She’ll need my help, sir.” Wilder pushed his empty plate away and patted his full stomach.
“To reach the middle shelves,” Evan said with a laugh.
Hiker narrowed his eyes at Wilder. “Why? I’m sure she can handle a bit of research on her own.”
“Wilder should escort dear Sophia,” Mama Jamba commented as she poured more syrup on her pancakes.
“It’s a one-person job,” Hiker argued. “It’s not like she has to go into the depths of hell and fight a demon.”
Sophia nearly cringed thinking of the pits of hell she’d nearly fallen into at the Burning House.
“He should go with her,” Mama Jamba ordered.
“It’s the Great Library,” Hiker seethed.
“And it’s a whole different place recently,” she said matter-of-factly.
Hiker put his elbows on the table and leaned forward, something he’d never dare to do if Ainsley was around. She was a stickler for etiquette. “Care to elaborate, Mama?”
She winked at him as she took a bite. “What do you think, son?”
He shook his head. “Yeah, fine. You and Wilder go to the Great Library, but I expect you to make quick work of this. No messing around.”
“Yeah, don’t get lost in the children’s section flipping through the picture books,” Evan joked.
Sophia ignored him. “I suspect this spell will be complicated. I’ve already learned it will require that we capture one of the dragonettes to make it work. Lunis is working on it.”
“As well as the other dragons,” Wilder added.
“I’m pulling Lunis off searching,” Hiker informed Sophia.
She straightened, not having expected this. “You are? Why?”
“We have some damage control, and I think he would be best suited for a goodwill tour,” Hiker explained. “I’m going to have him take some of the good dragonettes on a world tour.”
“Why would he be better suited than Coral?” Evan asked.
“Because,” Hiker said, drawing out the word. “Right now, perception is everything. Mortals are fearful of dragons. When the dragonettes surfaced in the skies, they’ve been intimidating, and a few reports have even said destructive. I want to show that dragons can be approachable and good.”
“Or crack knock-knock jokes while burping,” Evan added with a laugh.
Sophia scowled at him. “Well, if we want to put the general public to sleep, then we can send Coral to talk to them.”
“Oh, I dare you to say that to my dragon’s face,” Evan threatened.
Hiker stood, gaining everyone’s attention. “Coral, Simi, Tala, and Bell will continue hun
ting for the dragonettes. Sophia and Wilder, find the protective spell. The rest of you make yourself useful. I’ll be in my office.”
Wilder stretched his hands over his head. “Well, lucky you, Evan. You get the day off.”
The other rider blinked at him. “How do you figure?”
“Hiker said for you to make yourself useful,” Wilder replied. “Since we know that’s nearly impossible unless you stay out of stuff, it appears you get to do nothing while the rest of us save the world.”
Chapter Fifty-Six
The sight of the big blue dragon being crawled all over by multiple dragonettes nearly made Sophia double over with laughter. The sun in Scotland set around ten at night in the summer months, giving them many more hours of sunlight. It sort of made up for the short days in the winter.
She drew in a breath, enjoying the summer air as she made her way out to the Expanse, where Lunis was wrangling three dragonettes of various colors.
Seriously, when I was your age, I respected my elders, he said, his neck extending out as he picked up one of the dragonettes by the scruff of its neck like a momma cat retrieving one of her kittens.
Sophia giggled as he rotated to find her staring up at him. “When you say, when you were their age, do you mean last year?”
I dun nhaw whhhat ya mmeeen, he denied, talking with the little dragon trying to wiggle loose from his mouth.
“Spit that out so I can hear you,” she ordered, pointing to the dragonette busy kicking its leg back and forth, trying to wiggle loose.
Spitth whath outh? Lunis asked. He looked ready to take a big gulp and swallow the little guy whole.
Sophia stuck her hands on her hips and shook her head, trying to suppress her laughter. “Seriously, you’re supposed to be managing them, not eating the dragonettes.”
Lunis dropped the small dragon, who landed with a squeak followed by a plume of smoke. The three he was taking on the world tour were about the size of Great Danes. Sophia fondly remembered when Lunis had been that size and could still sleep at the foot of her bed. It seemed like ages ago, but really it hadn’t been long. It was just that so much had happened since then. Lunis had grown at an unprecedented rate according to Mahkah, since he had magnetized to his rider early.
I’m babysitting, Lunis argued. That’s what Hiker has me doing.
“That’s not true.” She held up her hand, stroking his neck. “Hiker thinks you have the best personality for this mission. On top of that, he knows you can protect the dragonettes if anything were to happen.”
Lunis scoffed. I’m not worried about a bunch of mortals.
“They have guns and usually act irrationally because of that false confidence,” Sophia argued.
Still, he said, but didn’t follow up with another point. I could see how my winning personality could grant me this honored position. The dragon smiled, showing a toothy grin of razor-sharp teeth.
Sophia peeled back. “Don’t do that when on tour. They may think you’re trying to decide who to eat first.”
I think I have a nice smile, he stated smugly.
“No doubt,” Sophia agreed. “But dragons aren’t really known for smiling. It seems weird.”
The dragonette Lunis had dropped was currently chasing his tail and close to catching it. The pair watched for a moment before returning to their conversation.
Dragons aren’t known for much, actually, Lunis imparted.
“Which is why this tour is important,” Sophia told him. “I think it was a good idea on Hiker’s part. The public needs to see you all as peaceful and trustworthy. It should be like when the Queen makes her appearance, and everyone wants to get a glimpse of her. We need to undo the bad press Nevin Gooseman started and keeps making worse with his television appearances.”
Maybe he’ll show up, and I’ll get a snack, Lunis said, licking his lips.
“Eating a politician is exactly how to set us back, Lun.”
He gave her an offended expression. I meant some ice cream from a truck cruising by. Gosh, Soph. You’re demented. I’d never eat a politician.
“I think eating a few politicians might be the way to world peace, actually,” Sophia argued. “But for this tour, image is everything. We need to promote goodwill. The mortals need to think the dragonettes are cute and that you are noble.”
I have a tap number I’m trying to coordinate with the little guys, but they all have left feet, Lunis told her. Zac Efron taught it to me. Do you want to see?
Sophia shook her head. “As much as it pains me to say this, you shouldn’t do any tap dancing, singing, or standup routines. Be majestic, approachable, and promote a good image. Don’t do anything that’s too crazy for a dragon to be doing.”
He hung his head. So, act like a normal dragon then? Why didn’t Hiker just send one of the others?
“Because they have a way of being too rigid, which isn’t right for this mission,” Sophia explained. “You’ve got a larger than life appearance with a quality of reassurance and approachability. I think when the public sees you, they’ll be intrigued and inspired. Then add the cuteness of the dragonettes, and we’ll make progress toward a better reputation, undoing what that awful Gooseman has been promoting about us.”
Lunis watched as two of the dragons wrestled, gently nipping at each other. It was a stark contrast to the evil dragons—or demon ones, who were ruthless, and left marks on the others.
Okay, well, I guess if anyone is a solid choice for being in a spotlight, it has to be me, Lunis sang, his eyes buzzing with amusement as they watched the dragonettes play. It wasn’t something Sophia thought she’d ever witness, but the world was changing, and new realities were becoming possibilities.
“Just try and remain humble,” she said, patting her dragon and giving him an affectionate look.
He pressed into her hand and batted his eyes at her. Humble is my middle name.
She shook her head. “Be safe, Lun. I’ll see you soon.”
He nodded, and both dragon and rider knew they missed each other fiercely. They missed going on missions together and being in each other’s heads. Soon things would return to normal and it would be like no time had passed. That was the beauty of two tethered souls.
Chapter Fifty-Seven
“Based on what Mama Jamba said, do you think we’re walking into a trap?” Wilder asked Sophia as they approached the portal to the Great Library.
She paused at the door at the end of the long corridor in the Castle. “At this point, I would be surprised if we didn’t have something sinister waiting for us when we got to the Great Library.”
He laughed, a sound that always made her smile. “Is it really too much to ask to go on a simple errand to a seemingly safe place like a library?”
She sighed. “I guess if we were normal people, we could have normal activities. Just pop off to the store for some milk and eggs without meeting a demonic elf that wanted to suck out our souls and rearrange our faces. What would that be like?”
“Boring,” he answered at once, sliding his hand up the wall and leaning closer to her. “We aren’t normal people meant to live normal lives, and that’s the only way I’d have it.”
A small smile jerked at the corners of Sophia’s mouth. “Have you always been this adventure-seeking guy?”
Sophia had to constantly remind herself there was much she didn’t know about Wilder. He had lived almost two centuries longer than her, albeit many of those years confined to the Gullington.
It was easy to forget he was so much older than her. Maybe because he didn’t look it thanks to the chi of the dragon, but also because Sophia had been more mature from the beginning. Her sister Reese used to say Sophia matured ten times faster than the average magician. Little did they know, the universe or the angels or whoever was behind all this architecture of life had been preparing her to be the first female dragonrider.
“With a name like Wilder, wouldn’t you just assume so?” he answered with a roguish smile.
Her sto
mach flipflopped. “I guess it’s good then that you weren’t named Bob or Clyde or Tom.”
He leaned closer. “I’m sure all those guys are lovely gentlemen in their own right, but who’s to say whether they have the same wanderlust as me?”
“Do you always answer questions with questions?” Sophia asked.
“Do you not like it?”
She laughed. “What if I say I don’t?”
“What if I told you that now that I’ve started, I can’t stop?”
Sliding her eyes to the side, she gave him a tempting expression. “Is this more about stubbornness than efficiency?”
Running his hand through his hair as he leaned into the wall, Wilder said, “Do you think I’m playing a game with you?”
“Are you?”
“Quite the opposite, actually,” he replied. “If I have trouble formulating my thoughts and directly answering questions, it’s only because I can’t think properly because something, or rather someone, has my head clouded. Emotions do that, you know?”
Her smile completely unfurled. “You just couldn’t resist ending with a question, could you?”
“Would you expect any less?” He pressed his lips to hers briefly in a chaste kiss before pushing off the wall and shaking off the budding tension. Lifting his hand, he motioned to the door. “Shall we go and see what adventures and devilish villains await us, Soph?”
She nodded and pulled her sword, just in case there was actually something dangerous on the other side of the portal door in the Great Library. She couldn’t fathom what, since the Great Library had incredible magic that guarded it. It made it nearly impossible for most to find, but that was the reason this was all the more intriguing. Mama Jamba had said the Great Library was a whole different place presently, and Sophia wondered how.
If something was in the Great Library causing problems, requiring that Wilder accompany her, that meant a lot had gone wrong.