by Sarah Noffke
“I think the fact that she’s our Warrior means we have every right to know what is going on,” Adler said through gritted teeth. “We should be the ones signing off on this.”
Liv elbowed Stefan in the side. “And here I thought it was my body, my case, and my rights.”
He shook his head. “Shows how much you know. You’re owned.”
“Mr. Ludwig, what are you still doing here?” Adler questioned. “You’ve been assigned your case.”
“Yes, but I have to wait for Liv,” he answered.
“Because?” Bianca asked, staring down at him expectantly.
“Would you believe that she parked next to me but a bit too close and now I can’t get into my car? I need her to move so I can get out.”
Diabolos squawked at Stefan. In response, he simply smiled at the crow.
Shaking off his tomfoolery, Adler directed his attention back to Liv. “Will you be meeting with Father Time on this case?”
“Yeah, I guess so,” Liv stated.
“And where do you meet with him?” Adler asked.
Liv narrowed her eyes at him. “I’m not at liberty to say.”
He threw himself backward, a loud sigh falling from his mouth. “Well, how long will you be detained on this case?”
“Depends on the chicken,” Liv answered.
Lorenzo stroked his black goatee. “I agree with your frustration on this matter, Adler. It is very disconcerting that the Father of Time has returned and taken ownership of one of ours, and we have no information on the matter.”
“Again, I’m not owned by anyone,” Liv cut in. “I’m a free agent.”
“You are a Warrior for the House of Seven, and therefore answer to the council,” Alder nearly yelled, his face flushing.
“She is,” Clark stated confidently. “And for doing her job, she’s been promoted in a way, earning the trust of the king of the fae, the giants, and Father Time.”
“That’s right,” Raina said. “It seems you are more than sufficiently doing your job. Whatever Father Time assigns you, I’m certain you will carry out seamlessly.”
Hester nodded. “When Father Time is done with you, please return to us. I’m sure we will have cases that could use your expertise.”
Adler looked back and forth between the Councilors, but, having no way to argue, he simply bowed his head. “Yes, very well. You’re dismissed.”
Chapter Six
“You said I boxed you in,” Liv said, tapping her foot. She and Stefan stood on the boardwalk in front of the House of Seven, tourist strolling by and the Pacific Ocean lapping the shore in the distance.
He shrugged, suddenly looking quite boyish. “I was going to say we carpooled, but that might bring up all sorts of questions.”
“Like, why are two magicians who have portal magic driving around the congested city of Los Angeles?”
He shook his head. “Nope, that’s not what I thought the council would be thinking.”
Liv realized what he had meant. “Right. Yeah, thanks for avoiding unnecessary rumors.”
The beach bums pushing shopping carts and pale tourists snapping pictures swerved around the pair. Liv sensed Stefan wanted to say something, but for some reason he appeared reluctant, his eyes sliding to the restaurants and shops in the distance.
“Mommy!” a boy with a back-facing cap yelled. “I want to get my palm read!” He pointed at the shop that was the entrance for the House of Seven.
“It’s a scam, Billy,” Liv imparted.
“My name is Kyle!” the boy blurted.
“Well, excuse me. I’m not a psychic,” Liv said.
The mother, a round woman with rosy cheeks and a beehive hairdo, grabbed the kid by the hand and tugged him down the boardwalk. “What have I told you about talking to strangers?”
“She talked to me!” the kid yelled.
“Did you see what they were wearing?” the woman said to her husband, looking over her shoulder at Liv and Stefan, who was wearing all black like her.
“They must be goths or devil worshippers,” the husband said, putting a protective arm around his wife’s shoulder.
Liv sighed. “We risk our lives every single day so they can get fat on McDonald's.” She waved at the family, who was still gawking over their shoulders as they waddled away. “You’re welcome.”
Stefan laughed. “I sort of like the negative judgments. They light a fire under my ass.”
“You sure it isn’t the remnants of demon blood in your system?” Liv teased.
“Well, there is that, too.” Stefan pointed to the nearest pub. “You want to grab a drink real fast?”
“Actually, what I’d like to do is spend the rest of the afternoon in that place and stumble home to my bed,” Liv stated. “I haven’t had a night off in…well, I can’t remember.”
“I believe your last night off, you insisted on helping me demon-hunt in France.”
“That was sort of like a vacation,” Liv argued.
“Until the vampire attacked,” Stefan added.
“True, true,” Liv replied. “And I’ll have to take a raincheck on the drink. I’ve got to go pick up my chicken.”
Stefan rocked back on his heels, looking at the clear blue sky. “Of course you were serious about that.”
“Of course, I was. Diabolos didn’t call me out on it,” Liv stated. “Which makes me wonder if there isn’t some way to get around that ward since we know that Adler is a skinny little liar. Bianca too, for that matter. And who knows who else?”
“Oh, and here I thought you and Bianca were besties,” Stefan teased.
“We braid each other’s hair at night,” Liv joked. “And what do you think is going on with her and Emilio?”
He shrugged. “Something suspect, but knowing those two, it’s nothing of consequence. They aren’t people who have real problems. Just socialites who need to run other people down to feel better about themselves.”
“Why don’t you tell me how you really feel about them.”
“So this chicken?” Stefan asked.
“It’s apparently a person. A smart one who draws mathematical equations in the dirt,” Liv explained.
“How in the world do you find such characters?”
“They’re attracted to my brand of crazy,” Liv answered.
“I guess we should start a club, then.”
Liv pretended to be interested in the homeless man digging through the trash. “So, you got your wish.”
“No, I didn’t, because we’re not having a drink right now. I still owe you one for saving my life.”
“And you think a drink will be sufficient payment?” she teased.
“It’s a start,” he retorted.
She shook her head. “You got a different case.”
Stefan sighed. “Yeah, but I got the impossible one that everyone’s failed at.”
Liv threw up her hands. “I thought you said you wanted to use your brains.” She tilted her head, a curious glare in her eyes. “That was a lie, wasn’t it? You don’t have any brains, do you?”
He laughed. “I’ll admit that I’m mostly muscle and sweet moves, but I know a thing or two.”
“Then figure out where the others have failed with the elf negotiations and use a different strategy,” Liv offered. “I’m not sure I even understand what’s such a big deal with this elf business.”
Stefan gawked at her before recovering. “Oh, I forget that you’ve been away for a while. Well, the elves have threatened to stop obeying the rule of the House of Seven.”
“Was that before Decar killed a bunch of them?” Liv guessed.
Stefan nodded. “Yeah, he apparently thought brutality would change their minds.”
“But it didn’t.”
“No, and if they refuse our rule, then others will do the same, in effect making us useless,” Stefan explained.
Even though others didn’t know the truth about the House of Fourteen, Liv believed they sensed it. The House was losing its repu
tation because it didn’t have its balance, and the elves knew it. Still, she didn’t want to lose her job. Instead, she wanted to fix the organization. “What if…” Liv began slowly. “What if you invited them to have a seat on the council?”
The laugh that spilled from Stefan’s mouth made a group of tourists turn around. “Adler would never go for that. Not just him, but the others. The House is made up of Royals. That’s the way it has always been. A random elf diplomat can’t sit on the council. Then all the other races would want a seat, and it would be a chaotic mess.”
Which was why it used to be mortals and magicians. That made so much sense now. The two largest races ruling over the magical world. One with a vested interest in magic, and the other with an interest in the world at large.
“Yeah, that makes sense,” Liv stated. “But they are echoing my own concerns.”
“Which is why you should be the one working this case,” Stefan said. “You’d put on some green tights and waltz in there offering them something they couldn’t refuse.”
“Hey, why can’t you wear tights?” Liv asked with mock seriousness.
“I’m not really the Peter Pan type,” he remarked.
“Well, I’d go on the case with you, but there’s that whole Father Time being my boss thing.”
He waved her off. “Yeah, yeah. Same old, same old. It’s all excuses with you.”
Something suddenly occurred to Liv, and she wasn’t sure why she hadn’t wondered it before. “Why is it that the Royals in the House are currently all brothers and sisters? My parents were Councilor and Warrior, but that was because my father was an only child and his parents were ready to step down when he married my mother.”
Stefan thought for a moment. “I guess it’s just a fluke. If Raina got married, for instance, and I wanted to step down, her husband could take my place. She’s the eldest, so the Councilor gets to make these decisions.”
“Oh, then I guess it’s based on the age range and social habits of the current Royals,” Liv jested. “Mostly young’uns in the Seven right now are socially awkward and not interested in coupling up.”
“Yes, mostly,” Stefan said with an air of mystery.
Liv took a step backward, her chest suddenly buzzing with a strange energy, almost like the one she felt before a battle. However, this one was different. Better, somehow. “I better get going. I don’t want to keep the chicken waiting. Good luck with the elves.”
“Thanks, but I’ll need more than luck. Maybe loan me some of that Liv Beaufont charm.”
She shook her head. “You’ve got your own. I’m sure of it. Just don’t treat them like they’re demons or we’ll be in trouble.”
“I promise, I’m no Decar Sinclair,” Stefan said.
Liv halted. “I know. That’s why I like you. You’re not a scoundrel. At least as far as I can tell.”
“I promise I’m not,” Stefan said, a meaningful look in his eyes. “But you can maybe decide when I buy you that drink.”
“Yeah, maybe…” Liv said, continuing to step away from the dark figure giving her a piercing stare, his blue eyes like freshly polished sapphires.
Chapter Seven
The Santa Ana winds picked up, scattering leaves across the street as Liv neared Rory’s house.
“You know he’s following you,” Plato said by her side, not having said a word since joining her after the portal.
She halted, her hands on her hips. “Seriously? I thought I’d spoken to Stefan about that.”
Plato shook his head. “Sorry, I should have been more specific. I forgot you have multiple men with stalker issues.”
“What? It’s not Stefan? Who is it?” Liv asked.
“Adler,” Plato said in a whisper.
Liv slipped behind the closest tree, looking over her shoulder. “Are you serious? Since when did he take it upon himself to trail me?”
“Since now,” Plato answered.
“Thanks for all your immense help,” Liv said, suddenly feeling breathless. “But still. I get that he’s suspicious of me, but why follow me now? Why not before?”
“Before you were a pest,” Plato reasoned. “Now you work for Father Time and one of the mortal Seven and have recovered your mother’s sword, and then there’s that whole going into the ancient chamber thing. But those are all wild guesses.”
Liv shook her head. “He doesn’t know about all that. Well, unless he just heard you talking to me.”
“Has anyone ever overhead us?” Plato asked.
“I don’t know. All I’m certain of is that you disappear when someone comes around,” Liv stated.
“Correct, which means he’s far enough away that you’re safe for now,” Plato stated. “He doesn’t want to catch you. Probably only follow you.”
Liv nodded. “Okay, well, but I’m headed to Rory’s now.”
“Which is fine, because it’s now common knowledge that you and the giant are friends,” Plato stated. “He was your date for the coronation, after all.”
“Ewe,” Liv said. “He was invited by King Butthead.”
“Right,” Plato chirped. “Liv isn’t attracted to giants.”
“Why are you talking about me in the third person?”
“I’m trying it out.”
“It doesn’t work,” she replied.
“What is your type?”
“I don’t have one,” Liv answered.
“Now, now, no man is an island,” Plato stated.
“Would you focus for a moment?” Liv implored. “I’ve got to figure out what to do with Councilor Uptightness.”
“Well, continue to Rory’s house and get your chicken. Then take three portals to Roya Lane,” Plato ordered, becoming a very authoritative presence suddenly.
“But what if he…”
“Leave Adler to me,” Plato stated. “I’ll serve as a diversion when he tries to follow you after you leave here.”
“How will you do that?” Liv asked
He simply offered her a look that plainly said, “You know I’m not going to tell you that.”
“Okay, thanks,” Liv said. “You’re the cat’s meow.”
He lowered his head, shaking it.
Liv laughed, continuing on to Rory’s.
When Liv approached Rory’s door, it swung back, just as she expected. It actually made her feel comforted to know that he was home and things were normal. At least they were here.
However, when she stepped through the door, the sight before her was anything but normal.
“Ummm…are you having a candlelit dinner with a chicken?” she asked, taking in the scene of Rory sitting on one side of his dining room table, a napkin tucked into his shirt collar. On the other side of the table, sitting on a stack of books was the chicken. Spread between them were several dishes, and in the center was a set of candles.
“She’s not a chicken. She’s a person, and I’m trying to make her feel comfortable,” Rory explained.
“Currently, she’s a chicken, but I appreciate your thoughtful approach.” Liv whistled, taking in the many dishes on the table. Their yummy aromas floated through the air. “Do I have to be turned into livestock to get such a fancy spread?”
“I’m trying to figure out what Dorothy likes to eat,” Rory said, raising an eyebrow at the bird. It squawked twice.
“Dorothy?” Liv questioned.
He shook his head. “That’s not her name, but I keep trying. I’ve been through Debra, Angela, Rebecca, and Monica. Those are it.”
“I’m not sure the chicken’s name is really what’s important here,” Liv said. “But it’s sweet that you’re trying to make her comfortable.” She waved the smell from the closest dish up to her face. “Is this chicken makhani? You know that’s my favorite, right?”
“I do now,” Rory stated.
“Wait, but you’re offering chicken to a chicken? You do get the insensitivity here, right?” Liv asked.
“She isn’t a chicken, though,” Rory said. “She’s a person,
and she hasn’t liked any of the regular chicken feed I’ve offered her. So I tried something a bit more international.”
Liv glanced around the table, noticing the Thai curry, enchiladas, pizza, and Korean barbeque. “Right. This isn’t strange at all. You’ve made an international buffet of food for a chicken.”
“A person,” Rory corrected.
“Still, we need to get you out more,” Liv said, thinking of the giant lady they’d met in Texas. Matilda.
“So you’ve come for Jennifer?” Rory asked, glancing sideways at the chicken.
She squawked twice.
Liv shook her head. “No, I don’t think she was born in middle America in the nineteen eighties. Let’s keep trying, though. Guess the chicken’s name game is super fun. And yes, I’m going to take her to Father Time. He wants me to do something or another. It will be convoluted and strange and I’ll probably die in the process, but don’t you worry your pretty head about me.”
Rory was busy putting different things into a bag and didn’t appear worried in the least.
“Are you packing me a lunch?” Liv asked. “I did forget to eat. That’s mighty thoughtful of you.”
“I’m packing up stuff for Maggie,” Rory said, glancing at the chicken.
Another two squawks.
“Oh, right. How strange of me to think you were worried about my wellbeing,” Liv stated. “And by the way, Adler Sinclair followed me here.”
Rory’s head shot up, horror in his gaze. “The Adler Sinclair?”
Liv shook her head. “There’s only one. But don’t worry, Plato is taking care of him.”
“Don’t worry?” Rory questioned, moving even faster to pack things up. “If he followed you, then he’s—”
“On to me,” Liv said, finishing his sentence. “It could be. Or it could be this Father Time business. He doesn’t like being left out of the mix. Anyway, don’t worry. Plato will draw him away from your house and get him off my trail. You have nothing to worry about. I’d never put you in danger.”
Rory nodded. “I know. I’m just so worried, with Mum being out there working on leads and you working with Father Time. And it’s my busy season, or else I’d do more.”