Unstoppable Liv Beaufont Boxed Set

by Sarah Noffke

  “Back to the matter at hand,” Rory said, setting the plate of fish on the floor, the kittens tripping over themselves to get to it. They lined up around the plate, gobbling up the food. “You can’t work with someone who has been bitten by a demon. Actually, the Council should know about it. Stefan is a danger to himself as well as others.”

  Liv shook her head. “I’m not going to rat on him, and he’s aware of the dangers. So am I, and he needs my help.”

  “Liv, I get that you want to be the hero here—”

  “But I don’t,” Liv cut in. “I’d be happy working in the repair shop for the rest of my life, but that’s not an option for me anymore. John is moving on, and my family needs me. And for that matter, Stefan needs me. If you got bitten by a demon, I wouldn’t stop until I had tracked down that beast and helped you create the antidote. That’s not acting as a hero, that’s being a friend.”

  Rory washed his hands, drying them on a pressed kitchen towel. “Yes, but Stefan isn’t your friend.”

  “No, he’s not, but he doesn’t have anyone else he can rely on. And isn’t that how we, the disadvantaged loners of the world, haphazardly make friends? We fall into need, and someone helps us? That’s how you and I came to be whatever we are.” Liv motioned between them.

  “You’re a thorn in my side,” Rory said.

  “Yes, I like that better than friend too,” Liv said with a wink. “But my point remains. If I hadn’t had my magic unlocked and was about to destroy WeHo with it, I wouldn’t have asked for your help, and we wouldn’t be here now.”

  Rory glared down at the kitchen floor and scowled. “And there wouldn’t be mud tracked all over my floors. Were you raised in a barn?”

  “A hidden magical house, actually,” Liv said, swiping her fingers to the left and making the dirt disappear. “Sorry, the mud in the wetlands is awful to try to get out of the grooves in my boots.” She pointed at her boots, removing them and stationing them outside the front door. “And then there’s John. I never would have met him if I hadn’t been lost and alone and looking for work. He took me in and gave me a job, and now? Well, he’s the best.”

  Rory’s face softened. “Yes, John is a good man. I’m sorry to see him go.”

  Liv found it hard to swallow. “My point is, we have to rely on each other, and Stefan needs me. I’m not sure I can help him find Sabatore, but I’ve got to try. I think you’d do the same thing in my position.”

  Rory rolled his shoulders, looking at the cuckoo clock on the wall. “It’s time for you to go.”

  “What?” Liv asked, surprised by his abruptness. “But I just got here, and we were supposed to discuss the elf. Did he take anything? Search your place? What wards have you put up to ensure he doesn’t get back in here?”

  “That’s why you have to go,” Rory stated. “I have someone coming over who might be able to help with what I’m working on.”

  Liv ducked her head into the dining room to look at the tea service. “Oh, is this… Are you having a lady friend over?”

  Rory didn’t look at all pleased with her. He was glaring at the back door, its window shade tightly closed. “I’m working on something, and need you to leave.”

  “Oh, that thing in the backyard you didn’t want me to see?” Liv asked. “I didn’t sneak a peek, by the way. I’m good like that.”

  “I know you didn’t,” Rory said. “You still have all your fingers.”

  Liv held her hands to her chest protectively. “Damn, you’re a warped and strange giant.”

  “I’m much nicer than most,” he assured her.

  “Fine, I’ll get out of your curly afro,” Liv said as the doorbell rang. It was a low, chiming noise that went on for a while. She swung around to gauge Rory. “Do you want me to portal out of here?”

  He shook his head. “You can’t.” He looked at the back door and then the front, apparently trying to decide what to do with her. Resigning he trotted toward the front door. “Fine, follow me, but don’t say anything dumb. Actually, don’t say anything at all.”

  Liv nodded, pretending to zip her mouth shut. “Im-mana-preden-I-cat-halk.”

  “Don’t do that,” Rory warned.

  When Rory opened the door, another giant stood on the porch, wearing a dress full of greens and blues. On the woman’s head was a large hat adorned with flowers and fake birds. She leaned under the archway to the door, stepping through and hugging Rory.

  “Well, look at you,” the woman said, her voice much more shrill than Liv would have expected given her size. “You’re every bit as handsome as you were the last time I saw you, my dear little boy.”

  “Little boy,” Liv muttered to herself.

  The woman looked at Liv, releasing Rory. “And who do we have here? A friend of sorts? Is this why you called me over?” The woman looked at Rory and Liv, anticipation on her face. “Have you decided to settle down? Not with a magician. Oh, please, no.”

  Rory’s face blossomed into an awful shade of red. “Oh, no. Liv? No.” He shook his head. “No. That’s not why I asked you over. It’s not like that. Liv is no one.”

  “I’m flattered,” Liv said dryly.

  The woman studied her. “Well, she’s a bit puny, I agree. And her features are not at all handsome, but I’m sure there are other redeeming qualities to her.”

  “I can hear you,” Liv said loudly.

  The woman who shared Rory’s large nose and green eyes elbowed him in the side. “On the plus side, she has excellent hearing. That’s always good. We should never take these things for granted. Your father lost his hearing working in the mines with the gnomes. I swear, I would shout his name until I was blue in the face and he wouldn’t hear me.” She placed her pinky to her chin, considering this notion as if something new had occurred to her. “Come to think of it, he always came home when supper was ready, so maybe it was selective hearing loss.”

  Liv pushed out her cheeks, feeling exceptionally uncomfortable. “Well, I’d better be off. Sorry to interrupt your tea party.”

  The woman waved a gloved hand at Liv. She looked fit for a Sunday church service. “Don’t be ridiculous. Please join us.”

  “She can’t,” Rory said at once.

  “Oh, Rory, stop being that way and introduce your friend to your mummy.” The woman extended her large hand to Liv. “I’m Rory’s mum. You can call me—”

  “Bermuda,” Liv interrupted.

  The woman blushed. “I see you’ve heard of me, and I was going to say ‘Mrs. Laurens.’ We’re a bit new for first names, wouldn’t you say?”

  Liv wrung the woman’s hand, feeling like she was…well, shaking hands with a giant. “Yes, of course. My apologies, Mrs. Laurens. I’m simply surprised to meet you. Rory didn’t tell me you were stopping by.”

  “Stopping by?” Bermuda asked Rory. “You requested I drop everything to get here. Said it was supremely important. I used my transport stone to get here, which will be causing tremors all over the city, I suspect.”

  “Yes, thanks, Mum,” Rory said. “It is important, and we have much work to do. I’ll explain everything.”

  Bermuda clapped her hands together, a smile springing to her face. “Well, it looks like all those years of finishing school served you well. You set out tea for me.”

  “Finishing school?” Liv mouthed behind Bermuda’s back as she admired the dining room table.

  Rory shook his head at her, discouraging her from saying any more.

  “Well, let’s not let it get cold,” Bermuda said. “Please sit, children, and then you can tell me everything that’s been going on, Rory, and about your new friend. I’m sorry, I didn’t catch your name.”

  “Liv,” she answered. “Liv Beaufont.”

  Bermuda raised an eyebrow as Rory covered his face with his hands. “And there we have it. My son has made friends with not just a magician, but a royal.”

  “I’m a Warrior, actually,” Liv supplied, which made Rory groan again.

  Bermuda nodded curtly.
“A Warrior. How very charming, Rory. Just wait until your family hears about this.” The tone in her voice made it seem like it would not be welcome news.

  “Well, look at the time,” Liv said, glancing at her wrist although she wasn’t wearing a watch. “I better get going. I’ve got gnomes to slay and demons to arrest. I mean, demons to slay and…never mind.”

  “Don’t be silly,” Bermuda said, pulling out a chair. “I’m sure if my son is tolerating your company, it’s for a good reason. Or…” She looked at Rory suddenly, grief covering her face. “You haven’t caught that evil virus you had when you were a baby that affects your cognitive functioning again, have you?”

  Liv cupped her hand to her ear. “What? Oh, I think I hear my cat calling me. I better go.”

  Bermuda giggled. “Everyone knows that cats can’t call you. Now, a lynx? They could call you from a fair distance, but only someone mentally unstable would keep a lynx around.”

  Liv nodded, half-enjoying the panic streaming across Rory’s face. “Right, and who would do that?”

  “No friend of my son’s,” Bermuda said with a giggle, pulling off her gloves. “Now, take a seat. I want to learn all about you. I’m sure you’re not as despicable and self-serving as my notions lead me to believe.”

  Liv stalled, not sure what to say for a moment. “I would, but I have bowling practice.”

  Rory closed his eyes tightly.

  Bermuda paused in the middle of reaching for a cookie. “Bowling practice? You mean that sport with the balls and slippery shoes?”

  “That’s the one,” Liv said, looking down at her bare feet. “And I’m late. Although I’d love to stay and watch Rory age ten years, I’d better be off. It was nice to meet you, Mrs. Laurens.”

  “Well, I’m not sure I’d exaggerate so much about our first meeting, but okay. Nice isn’t the word I’d use,” she said, waving to her with a pleasant smile. Then the giantess saw something over Liv’s shoulder and her smile faded. She pointed. Looked back at Rory. Did a double-take at the fireplace. “Rory, is that…”

  He gulped. Nodded. “Yes. That’s the reason I asked you to come here.”

  Bermuda nearly pushed Liv over, striding by her and over to the fireplace, where Turbinger hung above the mantel. With an agility Liv wouldn’t have guessed she possessed, she picked up the sword and swung it lightly, appreciating the weapon in her hands. When she looked up at Rory, her eyes were brimming with tears. “My dear son, how did you get this?”

  Rory let out a breath, his chest rising and falling greatly with the act. He pointed at Liv. “The runt. She recovered the sword for me. For us.”

  Bermuda’s eyes widened in shock and then narrowed with a strange appreciation. “You got back my father’s sword, did you?”

  “Well, I was… I met a brownie…and yeah, it was me.”

  Bermuda acted as if she hadn’t heard Liv stuttering as she swung the sword again; not much, but enough to test the balance. “It has been a long time. I didn’t think I’d hold this sword again in my lifetime. I didn’t even think my son would hold it one day. It’s been a long, long time.” Holding the sword still, Bermuda bowed slightly to Liv. “I appreciate any danger you faced to return this to us. I do not know the extent of your relationship with my son, but I’m more hopeful than before that he’s not squandering his time with useless aristocrats.”

  “Thank you?” Liv said, drawing out the word, uncertainty laced into the two words.

  “You’re very welcome.” With a deep sigh, Bermuda returned the sword to its place above the mantel and clapped her hands, turning back around to face them. “Well, we have much to discuss and celebrate. Shall we sit down for tea?”

  The look on Rory’s face screamed no.

  Liv coughed. “I’d love to, but like I said, I’ve got to get to bowling practice. Those pins aren’t going to knock themselves over.”

  The annoyance was heavy on Rory’s face when she backed toward the front door.

  “Well, if you must,” Bermuda said, not looking sad to see her leave. “But again, thank you for returning that which belongs to the giants. I appreciate the gesture, even if it was probably your own who stole it from the giants in the first place.”

  “Right. I sort of don’t know what to say to the blatant prejudice, so I’ll just bid you both farewell,” Liv said, realizing that her shoes were parked outside the door.

  “Yes, yes, farewell to you,” Bermuda said, striding over to the table, not at all concerned about wishing Liv goodbye. “Please say hello to the treacherous magicians you share the House of Seven with. They won’t remember me or mine, but we think of them often when confined by their rules.”

  “I’ll pass that along,” Liv said with a forced smile, waving to Rory as she slipped out the door onto the porch.

  She shook off the strangeness of that interaction as she picked up a boot caked in Florida mud. Liv was just about to slip it on her foot when she caught a spark at the corner of her vision.

  From the side of the porch, a fire appeared to erupt. Liv worried that the security system had been set off again, although she immediately remembered that Rory had upgraded it. Her eyes adjusted to the light of dusk, and she noticed a rectangular outline like that of a door etched in firelight. She stalled, trying to understand what she was seeing, when the fabricated door swung open and the deranged elf stepped through.

  Liv did the only thing she could think of at that moment and threw her boot at his head, hitting him in the face. He fell back, momentarily confused by the assault, but when he shook it off, he glared at her, fear and frustration in his eyes. He hopped to his feet and sprinted in the opposite direction of the house. Liv didn’t hesitate, running shoeless after him into the streets.

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  The pavement under Liv’s feet was hard and punishing. She hardly noticed it as she raced after the elf, who moved in a zigzag fashion ahead of her like he was constantly changing his mind about which direction he should run.

  He darted toward an overgrown yard, then, after checking over his shoulder, swerved across the street and went down a side alley. A gang of kids playing on the sidewalk watched with amusement as the elf streaked by, Liv following and gaining on him.

  Not only was she able to catch up because he wasn’t taking a direct path, but he also appeared to be limping. Additionally, his arms dangled strangely by his sides. Something wasn’t right with the elf. Liv imagined that it had to do with the poison from Turbinger. It was making him crazy, and much more, she could tell. Running at an even pace, she was sure she’d catch up with him by the end of the cramped alley.

  A pile of broken glass was strewn across the pavement. She noticed almost too late and leapt, not completely clearing it. Bits of glass sank into her feet, but Liv didn’t slow down, knowing she couldn’t allow the elf to get away yet again. He was the key to whoever was behind trying to get to Turbinger. She’d already worked out that he wasn’t the culprit. The elf worked for someone. He’d said as much at the National History Museum.

  She recalled his desperation as they fought over the sword: “They will kill me if I return without it,” the elf had yelled, his voice tearful. He had reached out. “You might as well murder me.”

  Whoever the elf worked for hadn’t murdered him, though. Why?

  Liv pushed herself harder to try to gain on the elf, but the glass in her feet was slowing her down. Then hope spread in her chest. The elf had halted, and he cast a nervous glance at her over his shoulder before turning around to face her directly. She thought he was about to surrender, his face hollow and eyes full of darkness.

  However, to her disappointment and surprise, he opened a portal and stepped through quicker than she thought he could in his condition. Liv pushed forward, feeling the glass sink in deeper with each step. She held out her hand, sending a beam out and trying to stop the portal from closing before she got there.

  The portal folded in on itself, shrinking toward the center.

  No,
no, no, Liv thought, not giving up, like a doctor doing heart compressions, unwilling to accept that the patient on the operating room table was gone. She couldn’t lose the elf again. He’d be back, and his trespassing would cause even more danger. She was tired of running from the elf. Tired of protecting Turbinger from him. This ended now.

  When the portal was almost closed, it exploded into blue and green lights, shining so brightly Liv was forced to halt and shield her eyes. It glowed blindingly before fading slightly, hovering above the ground, unwavering.

  Liv let out a breath of relief, hurrying again despite the pain in her feet. Undeterred by whatever was on the other side of the elf’s portal, Liv stepped through into the unknown.

  To her surprise, Liv recognized the street where the portal spat her out. Downtown LA. They weren’t far from where they’d been in Rory’s neighborhood.

  She stepped onto the sidewalk as mortals strode by, hurrying for the intersections. To them, she would appear as though she’d been in that spot all along. Portal magic made it so that entering highly trafficked areas was not seen as suspicious. Mortals never saw them for what they were and explained away any peculiarities.

  Ahead on the bustling sidewalk, Liv spotted the elf. He’d slowed to a walk, swaying like he was drunk. He hadn’t noticed Liv slip through the portal. Hadn’t even considered that as an option. Rory had stated it was a trick not many knew about. There was apparently a common misconception that portals could only be closed or stalled by the person who had made them. It was that misconception Liv had capitalized on.

  Pushing past mortals on the sidewalk, the elf appeared to get angrier as he progressed, yelling at an old woman and kicking a homeless man’s shopping cart. The crowd moving in his direction shrank away from him, giving him enough space to pass them without suffering his wrath.

  The elf stopped at a building that towered above the rest and brought his chin up, staring at the skyscraper. Even from halfway down the block, she could tell he was muttering to himself, whipping around a couple of times like he expected someone to attack him from behind.