by Sarah Noffke
“Well, you nearly became a buried corpse,” Liv stated. “Guess they figured out that biting you was ineffective, but suffocating you in dirt would definitely do the trick.”
Stefan dusted off his cloak, which did little good since it was thoroughly covered. “Yes, a good reminder that there are other ways a demon could kill me if they wanted to.”
Liv shook her head at the hole, still holding Bellator at the ready. “Are they gone?”
Stefan considered this and then nodded, striding over to where the dead demon lay just below the surface of the Earth. He toed it, exposing the monster’s black blood. “Yes, and your quick thinking about stabbing blindly into the dirt to kill that demon definitely saved my life. Another minute and I would have been gone.”
“I didn’t stab blindly,” Liv stated. “Bellator can sense these things, and I was paying attention to how the ground was moving. Above you, it was all erratic since you were having a hissy fit.”
“Right. Hissy fit. But if that had been Liv Beaufont, she’d be telling jokes and probably yawning,” Stefan joked.
“I doubt that,” she said. “I had a double espresso earlier. But definitely telling jokes, or at least seriously insulting the damn demon.”
“I’m glad you are attuned to Bellator well enough to follow its lead.”
“Because that saved your life?” she asked.
“Because one day it will save yours,” he stated. “And yes, thanks for coming to my rescue once again.”
“Don’t mention it,” she said with a wink.
“Oh, I will mention it,” he retorted. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you want me to stick around for a long time.”
“At least long enough to return the favor.”
Holding out a dusty arm, Stefan offered it to her. “How about I start by buying you a drink?”
Liv nodded. “Yeah, I could use one. But if you think I’m taking your arm, Mud Cakes, you’re absolutely wrong.”
He smiled, the lines around his mouth filled with dirt. “I prefer ‘Warrior Mud Cakes.’”
Chapter Two
The younger brother reluctantly strode through the darkness of the Black Void. Adler swung around, his hostility palpable.
“Would you keep up?” he fired at Decar.
“I’m trying,” he lied, his pale eyes sliding around, worry evident in them. This wasn’t a place that lent a person confidence. It smelled horrid. The void was filled with the strange rhythmic breaths of the God Magician. And there was a sinister feel that wrapped around anyone who entered the space, weakening them. This was one of the God Magician’s tactics for ensuring he had the upper hand when in another’s company. And he was definitely getting stronger, given the intensity of the feeling.
It wasn’t just Decar’s very vocal hesitation about seeing the God Magician that had put Adler in a sour mood. Sure, that was part of it. Adler didn’t like entering this space or dealing with the One and his ever-growing temper either, but things had to be done.
However, Adler was also stressed because his dragon companion Indikos had disappeared. This wasn’t like him. Nothing Adler did brought the miniature dragon to him, and he couldn’t understand it. He consoled himself with the fact that he’d successfully stolen Sophia’s dragon’s egg. Maybe that was it, Adler pondered as he trod forward, stepping over the bones of small animals. Indikos might be worried that the dragon which hatched from the egg would replace him. He was jealous.
Adler smiled to himself. A little competition was never a bad thing. He held up his staff, the glowing orb on the top both lighting the way and illuminating something on the ground ahead. Whatever it was moved like water, flowing on the stone floor.
After three more steps, Adler halted, revulsion filling his stomach. Snakes. Hundreds of hissing snakes covered the floor, all headed for the man sitting on the stone throne ahead. Although the light didn’t reach him, it was easy to make out the God Magician’s features since his eyes were two strobes of light, illuminating everything around him and especially that which he looked at.
When he glanced at Adler and Decar, they both shielded their faces from the bright lights which had instantly made their eyes water and sting.
“You brought your brother,” Talon Sinclair observed, studying Decar.
Adler dropped to one knee, bowing to his oldest living relative. Well, the oldest magician to ever live. “Yes, my Lord. As you requested.” He angled his head in Decar’s direction, urgency in his glare. His brother took the hint, copying Adler’s stance.
“Master, it is an honor to finally be in your presence,” Decar said in a breathless voice, partially covering his nose because of the smell.
“Stand and let me have a look at you,” the God Magician ordered, his voice echoing in their chests. He had gotten stronger, Adler realized. That was how he had been able to summon the snakes, which Adler realized after closer inspection had tiny legs. Visibly Adler shivered, watching as the serpents slithered around the One’s feet, crawling over the throne and finding a resting place behind or around the God Magician.
Talon’s gaze shone on Decar, making him clench his eyes closed as he attempted to keep his hands by his side. “Yes, you’re an albino like me. They like to call it an abnormality, but what makes us different makes us superior.”
“M-M-My Lord,” Decar sputtered, his tone pleading.
“Tell me about your progress, Decar,” the God Magician ordered.
“I’ve been tracking the giant known as Bermuda Laurens, as you ordered,” Decar began, his eyes still closed because of the One’s unrelenting gaze on him. “She is definitely searching for information about how the history was erased.”
“And has she learned anything or communicated it to anyone?” Talon asked.
Decar shook his head. “No, not that I’m aware of.”
“I do not dwell in the world of assumptions!” the One boomed, his voice making the walls vibrate. Dust rained down on them from the unseen ceiling. “You’re as useless as Adler if you think this is at all satisfactory.”
Decar bowed his head, his hands shaking by his sides. “I’m sorry. I meant to say that she has not.”
Talon let out a long, satisfied sigh as more serpents crawled onto his arms and legs. “And why haven’t you gotten rid of this giant yet?”
“I’ve tried, my Lord,” Decar explained. “She has eluded me, but I know I can take her out as you ordered. I only need a little more time.”
“If she,” Talon began, his words terse, “succeeds and finds out the truth, it will be you who pays the price. I have worked for too long to have one giant ruin everything.”
“I understand, Father,” Decar said, his tone still pleading. “I won’t allow that to happen.”
“We will see.” Talon’s gaze swiveled to Adler, instantly blinding him but giving Decar some relief. “And you… When do you leave for the Matterhorn?”
“Very soon, Father,” Adler said, his eyes watering from the intensity of the light. “I simply have a few more affairs to put in order.”
“If you delay much longer and that girl gets to the Matterhorn again, it will jeopardize everything,” Talon hissed.
Adler nodded. “I understand, my Lord. I will be quick.”
“What is it that delays you?” the God Magician asked.
Adler couldn’t tell him he was looking for Indikos, or that he was afraid of leaving Talon alone in the House of Seven. However, soon the God Magician would be strong enough to break into his thoughts. “Well, you asked me to track down Father Time.”
“And have you?” Talon asked.
“No, but Olivia Beaufont knows where he is,” he explained. “I’m hoping she’ll lead me to him.”
A laugh that sounded more like a cry echoed from the God Magician’s mouth. “My old nemesis Father Time will sense that I’m alive soon, but it will be too late. I’ll be strong enough, and can finally rid this world of him.”
Adler shivered again. It wouldn’t be lon
g until Talon was at full strength. Then everything would change. That was what all the preparations had been for, but now that it was happening, it felt like too much. Still, he’d come too far to abandon the mission. And he wanted what the God Magician had promised him: immortality. Just like his ancient relative, he’d live forever. They’d rule side by side, having obliterated the other families in the House.
Talon had only kept the royal blood of the other six families alive so that he could come back one day. Once he was at full strength, they’d be wiped out like the others and their power would be given to Adler, preserving him forever. Everything had actually worked out perfectly.
The God Magician might scare the hell out of Adler, but he was by far the most ingenious man to ever live. He’d won a war, forced the mortals out of the House, changed history, and figured out how to live forever using the holy power of the families from the House of Seven.
“Go and find me Father Time,” Talon ordered. “Only once he’s dead can I rise fully from my crypt.”
Adler bowed, reveling in the fact that Olivia Beaufont had drawn Father Time out of hiding. If she hadn’t, then they could never finish things and finally rule over the magical world for the rest of their immortal lives. Father Time would try to stop them. However, everything had changed when Olivia Beaufont informed the council that Father Time was back. She’d thought she was so smug, working directly for the gnome. Little did she know that was exactly what Adler needed.
Centuries ago, when Talon was ready to rise to full power and take over the House, Father Time had disappeared. That had halted everything, which was why the House of Seven had stayed intact, the blood of the Royals keeping it going. However, soon those other families would no longer be necessary. Once Father Time was dead, there would be no stopping the Sinclairs from ruling the magical world.
Chapter Three
“This thing is more stubborn than it needs to be,” John grumbled, wiping sweat off his face as he shook his head at the pinball machine.
“I think many a person has said the same about me,” Liv kidded, offering Pickles a treat. The little terrier twirled around on his hind legs, showing his delight. Plato, apparently not thinking the little dance was all that cute, rolled his eyes from the countertop on which he resided.
“Those who say that about you simply don’t understand you. You’re better off without those negative influences in your life,” John offered.
“Well, unfortunately, I can’t kick the council out of my life, or half the other jerks that I run into on a regular basis either,” Liv replied. “But hey, they keep me humble. Or at least, that’s what I like to tell myself.”
She pulled another treat out of the bag and offered one to Plato. His nose jerked up straight into the air with supreme repulsion. “So, I’ll take that as a ‘no’ to the treat,” Liv said to the lynx.
“That cat of yours is as ornery as this machine,” John remarked.
“And he talks,” Liv said at once.
“I’ll believe it when I hear it,” he fired back.
Liv sighed, knowing Plato was never going to indulge her and make a peep in John’s presence. It had become a matter of pride at this point. “So, you still can’t figure out what is wrong with that pinball machine?”
John shook his head at the Wonder Wizard Demolition Derby Pinball Machine. “No, and the sad part is that I have a very interested buyer. The deal is done, but the machine has to be working.”
“Well, we’re going to figure out what the issue is. Then I’ll repair it using my hocus pocus, and you’ll be off to Barbados or Hawaii or wherever you’ve picked for your dream vacation.”
Running his hand through what little gray hair he had left on his head, John didn’t look as confident. “I think I’d rather go up north to some cabin in the woods. Maybe Washington or Utah or Montana.”
Liv shivered, seeing a flash of the recent situation involving Stefan in Glacier National Park. “I’ve just gotten back from Montana. Stay away.”
“Oh? Lots of tourists this time of year?” John asked. “I get enough of those in West Hollywood. No, thanks.”
“There were a good number of tourists in the national park, but also a fair number of demons.”
“Oh, double no, thanks,” John stated. “I think I saw one of those during my stint overseas.”
“That’s because you can see magic,” Liv explained. “Most mortals don’t see demons for what they are. They make up a plausible excuse or just get a bad feeling. However, your founder’s blood makes you different. Better.”
“I’m not so sure about that,” John said with a sigh.
Liv knew he wasn’t entirely convinced he was one of the mortal Seven. She wasn’t either, but it made the most sense. And maybe deep down, she just wanted him to be one of the Seven so that they could one day go to work together. She laughed to herself, thinking of them closing up shop here in the evening and then commuting over to the House of Seven…or rather, Fourteen.
The council needed people like John. He was rational and caring and didn’t just think about the greater good. John Carraway wanted what was right for the individual as well. He wanted a sustainable future, which was why he owned an electronic repair shop instead of selling brand-new shiny devices to people that would break in a year and fill up the landfills.
“You know, demons are pretty much like tourists,” Liv said, sensing she needed to change the subject.
As she suspected, that did the trick, brightening John’s face. “Oh, yeah? How’s that?”
“Well, both smell funny, are way too loud, and only care about what they want to experience,” Liv explained.
John chuckled. “I think we are just jaded by having been in this part of LA for so long. But you’re right. The tourists do seem to insist upon their own agendas, as if the rest of us don’t have our own lives to live.”
“And yet, they are a part of the lifeblood of this city.” Liv let out a long breath.
John went to push up from the floor, groaning from the simple task. Liv extended a hand to him, but he shook his head.
“Don’t be like the pinball machine and Plato,” Liv warned. “Take my hand, old man.”
He laughed at that, taking her hand and allowing her to help him up. “Thanks. I guess I could use a vacation. These bones aren’t what they used to be.”
Liv shook her head at him. “That’s just stuff you tell yourself.”
“No, that’s what the doctor tells me, too,” John replied. “He says I have the beginning symptoms of arthritis.” He flexed his fingers, paying great attention to them as they slowly moved back into place. “I’m not a magician like you, made to withstand a few hundred years on this Earth.”
Liv didn’t like where this conversation was going. Yes, mortals didn’t live as long and didn’t have access to magic, but they were important for the balance. She just knew it.
Sensing her worry, he waved her off. “Anyway, how’s the other job going?”
He asked this casually, as if referring to a part-time gig waiting tables at La Boheme.
Liv stretched her hands over her head. “It’s good. And by good, I mean it’s confounding my brain with too many mysteries. I recovered my mother’s sword, Inexorabilis. However, I’ve got to find the elf who made it to access the memories locked inside. And then there’s the whole ‘unraveling who is behind this cover-up of the mortal Seven business. Probably Adler, but I don’t want to make assumptions. He might just be a grumpy jerk who hates jokes and thinks I should die for my awful fashion sense. And then there are the cases, which are probably stacking up as we speak. But other than that, I’m feeling a lot of job satisfaction and have no new complaints for human resources, which incidentally doesn’t exist in the House of Seven.”
“That’s worrisome,” John stated.
“Yeah, it’s definitely a violation if someone finds out,” Liv imparted. “There are a myriad of issues. Worker’s compensation issues, overtime problems, discrimination. No
t to mention the hostile work environment.”
John chuckled. “With everything you’ve got going on, I have to think that you should be at the House or working these side cases and not here.”
Liv shook her head. “How many times have we been through this?”
“Well, my memory isn’t as good as yours, so I’ll call it an even dozen.”
“Fourteen,” Liv corrected. “I want to help with the pinball machine. And repairing Mrs. Jones’ vacuum cleaner. And everything else that gets brought through that door.”
“But how are you going to accomplish everything you need and still help me?” John asked.
“I don’t know, but that isn’t your concern,” Liv said, trying to sound sensitive yet as firm as possible. John was trying to help, but pushing Liv away from what she loved most wasn’t going to accomplish that. “What I need from you is to figure out what’s wrong with the pinball machine so I can repair it. Then pack your swim trunks, because you’re setting sail for your first vacation in over thirty years.”
“And who is going to watch the shop?” John asked.
Liv looked around like the answer was written on the walls. “I don’t know. I will, with the assistance of Rory and Plato and who knows who else.”
John smiled. “Well, then I guess I better find out what’s wrong with this machine.”
Liv winked at him. “Yeah, you better.”
Chapter Four
Although it was absolutely necessary, Liv didn’t like what she was going to have to do next.
She entered the apartment Clark and Sophia shared, expecting to see the little girl playing in the middle of the living area. Well, playing in the way the little magician did, which usually involved bewitching her dolls so they put on a show for her or played Sardonza, a kid’s game that magicians loved.
Instead, the living room was empty, but it felt like it was bursting with emotions. Maybe Liv was only transferring her own emotions onto the place filled with furniture from her childhood. It was arranged differently than it had been in the apartment she’d shared with her parents and siblings, but it still felt the same as when she left the House of Seven. Like it was full of their ghosts.