by Sarah Noffke
Liv nearly slid down the slippery hill on the descent. She was glad she didn’t, because when she got to the bottom, a rolling village unlike anything she’d ever seen materialized in a wide valley, replacing the rock quarry.
A pristine lake sat at the base of the valley, and around it were colorful fields full of crops, bordered by fruit trees. On the foothills were humble cottages, smoke spiraling up from most of the chimneys.
The village of the giants was simply beautiful. It was modest and inviting and filled Liv with wholesome feelings she hadn’t expected. The smell of fresh baked goods and clean water greeted her nostrils. She suddenly couldn’t understand why Rory would want to leave this place. It was one of those locations that appeared as though only good things happened there, like an idyllic town where the locals all know each other, protecting one another, spreading goodwill through kind gestures.
An arrow whizzed past Liv’s head, making Decar’s long white hair fly back in its wake.
She nearly threw herself to the ground to escape what she expected to be a barrage of arrows to follow, but instead, she forced herself to think the strangest thing: What would Decar do?
It wasn’t a motto that she wanted to live by, but in this instance, it should keep her alive.
Or that was the hope, anyway.
Liv reached into the robes she wore and withdrew the small staff that was apparently Decar’s. It grew on both ends until it was full-sized, crowned by a small dragon perched on the top of an opal.
It wouldn’t have been safe to bring Bellator into the village, but thankfully Sophia had found a spell that disguised Liv in not only Decar’s clothes but also offered her his weapon of choice. Using it would rely solely on her, though, since technically she wasn’t holding the staff. It was all an illusion, one that she hoped none of the giants could see through.
Sending out a blast of protective energy, Liv slammed the butt of the staff into the ground, sending a shockwave out around her. The force shot out, knocking several arrows that were flying toward her to the ground. She continued to march forward, careful to keep her chin high and walk with ease even as the ground rumbled under her feet from her spell.
On the front edge of the village, several giants appeared seemingly out of nowhere, holding bows and arrows. They were all male, and wore thick leather clothes. Their hair was French-braided down their backs, and their faces bore unwelcoming expressions.
What Liv did next was against every fiber of her being, but she knew it necessary. She brought the staff up and sent out another blast, this one an offensive measure.
As if a tidal wave had hit the men, who were all over seven feet tall, they fell to the ground. Before they had a chance to get up, Liv strode forward, crossing the space between them faster than she would have thought possible, thanks to Decar’s long legs. At least there was finally something good about the old grump’s body.
The effect of using such a huge amount of magic was immediately evident. Liv swayed, thinking she might fall over right then. She propped her weight on the staff, covering her exhaustion with a deep scowl.
“I didn’t come to fight you, giants,” Liv said, her voice deep and foreboding. “But if you continue to oppose my visit, I’ll have no choice but to slaughter you.”
The closest giant rolled over, growling as he pushed himself to his feet. Even for someone as tall as Decar, the giant towered over her. However, she had gotten used to that since hanging out with Rory. Well, and also because she’d been vertically challenged all her life.
She lifted her chin, flashing a menace that she’d seen Adler display many, many times.
“You aren’t to enter our lands, magician,” the giant said, his bright blue eyes narrowing. Most of the giants had blond hair and light-colored eyes. In comparison, Rory would have stuck out among them with his curly dark-brown hair and emerald-green eyes.
“That is Warrior Sinclair to you,” Liv said, having a hard time getting out the rude words. However, she was sure that was how Decar would have responded. He’d want the respect he thought he’d deserved. Nothing for him was about building goodwill, but rather intimidation.
“It doesn’t matter who you are. You’re not welcome here,” another giant said, coming to stand next to the first. The others were brushing themselves off or nocking arrows and aiming them at Liv.
“According to the charter we set up long ago,” Liv stated calmly, “a Warrior from the House of Seven is allowed entry into this peasant village of yours to offer you an opportunity for a civilized accord.”
“But what if no one knows that you entered our village?” the giant in front of her asked, threat in his tone.
Liv stepped up as if she were at eye-level with the huge man, snarling as she’d seen Decar do many times. “Do not forget what I’ve done to many of your brothers.” With a flick of her chin, she sent out another blast, sending the giants behind him back down to the ground like dominos that had been kicked over.
The giant spun, crouching as he checked on his brethren.
Still calm, Liv said, “They aren’t dead, but the next time they will be, and you’ll join them.”
The giant spun back around, his cheeks flushed with anger.
Even though Liv didn’t presently have the strength to do that again, at least not for a few moments, she held up Decar’s staff intimidatingly.
The giant seemed to consider Decar, maybe deciding whether to believe the threat.
“Take me to your chief,” Liv ordered. “I don’t have all day to waste away in this place.”
For a moment, Liv worried that she’d gone too far. Insulting the giants pained her, but she knew that was exactly how Decar would treat them. And Rory had been right—they would have roasted her from the beginning. However, Decar’s intimidation won out. The giant held up a huge hand, directing Decar to the large gate in front of the village.
“Go on then, Warrior Sinclair,” the giant said. “I will lead you to Chief Dag.”
Liv couldn’t believe it had worked. If allowed, she would have entered the village as herself, with respect and consideration for who the giants were. She would have offered to protect them, forging a path to a better life among the magical creatures. She would have explained the life that she and Rory had talked about, full of respect for others.
However, this was still a world run by men with giant egos. And for now, it was better that they believed her to be one of them: Decar Sinclair.
Chapter Twenty-Three
The gate rolled back, pulled by thick ropes. As it opened, Liv found many giants staring at her from the other side. They created a long procession, none of them wearing welcoming faces.
She strode behind the giant who had acted like the leader, her chin high and a snooty expression on her face. Twice she nearly tripped on Decar’s long robes, the exhaustion from her magical efforts making each movement difficult.
Reaching into the pocket of her robes, Liv found the Reese’s Pieces that Sophia had snuck in there for her. She grabbed a handful and nonchalantly slipped them into her mouth.
Chewing with Decar’s mouth was probably the worst part of being him. His teeth didn’t fit together right, and he had a loose crown in the back. Dude should really take better care of his teeth, she thought, nearly laughing at the image of Decar wearing clunky braces. She wondered if the giants would be as intimidated by him if he spoke with a lisp and wore headgear. Sadly, she suspected that they’d still take him more seriously looking like that than they would her.
If they only knew that the magician who had flattened them twice was a young woman. Liv shook off her frustration and reminded herself of why she was there, risking her life for this mission. It was to ultimately protect the giants, who had reasons for reacting the way they did to magicians.
The crowd parted as the giant in front of Liv charged forward. Although Liv was eager to study the thatch-roofed houses, creative buildings that blended into the hillsides, and the giants gawking at her, she kept her f
ocus forward. Showing curiosity or appreciation for their village was not something Decar would do. He wouldn’t be the least bit curious about how the giants modestly lived.
She caught sight of a few women. They were dressed similarly to the men, in thick animal pelts and leather pieces sewn together with rope. Like the men, they wore their light-colored hair in braids, making it somewhat difficult to tell the difference between the genders. The only thing that made it slightly easier was that the men were a bit taller than the women.
When they had reached the middle of the village, they came to an arch covered in lush flowers. Liv hadn’t expected to enter a garden, or find it absolutely breathtaking if she had. Now more than ever, it was hard not to look around as they entered an area that was sectioned off from the rest of the village by stone walls.
Rory’s garden was impressive, overflowing with many varieties of vegetables and foliage, but it paled in comparison to this one. The scents of sweet nectar and rich soil wafted through the air, reminding Liv of running through the garden at the House of Seven when she was a child, sprinting away or after Clark.
The giant in front of Liv stopped abruptly, nearly causing her to run into him. That was mostly because she’d allowed her eyes to wander over the many interesting plants growing robustly from the earth. Most of them she’d never seen before. Everywhere were strange plants with intricate patterns on their leaves or large bulbs of various neon colors, looking ready to burst. Not only that, but birds with yellow beaks and blue underbellies flew around the flowers, making sounds like children chatting. Liv wouldn’t have believed that this place was real if she wasn’t seeing it with her own eyes. Well, Decar’s.
Another giant stepped onto the cobbled path, and Liv found herself standing in front of the largest one she’d yet to meet. Chief Dag was dressed in a cape that reached the ground. It would have taken many animal skins to make; a single buffalo would not have that much hide. Unlike most in the village, this giant had reddish-brown hair and bushy eyebrows which were scrunched together as he regarded the magician before him.
Behind the chief were more arbors that led to different paths. The garden seemed to go on and on, each trail leading to a different adventure that Liv longed to explore. She shook off her curiosity, arranging her face into an expression of pure disdain. It instantly made her feel bitter. No wonder her parents had told her never to scowl. Putting on the expression brought on the emotions associated with it.
Behind the chief crouched a giant who was digging in the dirt. Unlike everyone else she’d encountered on the island, this giant was wearing a floral print shirt and a bonnet on her head. Liv couldn’t make out the giant’s face, but she guessed it was a woman based on the soft curls spilling around the collar of her shirt.
Chief Dag opened his mouth to speak, but Liv cut him off at once with a tired sigh—the same one Adler often released in her presence. “It has come to the House of Seven’s attention that the one-hundred-year mark is upon us again,” she said, withdrawing the treaty the council had given her from her robes. “As we so thoughtfully promised, we’re giving the giants a chance to join the elves and gnomes in an alliance with the magicians.”
Chief Dag narrowed his eyes. “From what I understand, the elves are presently questioning their alliance with you.”
Liv hadn’t expected this. Was this what the council had been busy with when she and Stefan had delivered the report from demon hunting? She recovered quickly, “How would you know what the elves are doing?”
The crouched figure stood and spun around. “I told him,” Bermuda Laurens said.
Liv didn’t know why she hadn’t recognized Rory’s mother. The last time she’d seen Bermuda, she’d been wearing a similar getup and a large hat. Liv had thought that Bermuda was only wearing regular clothes because she was visiting Los Angeles. She hadn’t expected her to be dressed like a cheery grandmother among her own people.
Hiding her surprise, Liv said, “And how would you know?”
Sticking her meaty hands on her hips—and smearing dirt on her floral print shirt—Bermuda pursed her lips. “I know better than most, Decar Sinclair.”
“Our negotiations with the elves are none of your business, Bermuda,” Liv replied, putting an inflection on the giant’s name.
Bermuda regarded Decar for a long moment, and something flickered behind her eyes. “Old age is treating you well, magician. Why your magic has increased since the last time you cursed us with your presence?”
Liv tensed at the question. Bermuda could feel her magic? Would she figure out that Decar wasn’t here? Damn Rory’s mother for being so smart and observant.
“Unlike you giants,” Liv said, thinking fast, “living in a proper place provides us with numerous benefits. But I wouldn’t expect you to understand that.”
Bermuda laughed and wiped the back of her hand over her forehead. “I see that your old age has done nothing to increase your diplomacy or tact.”
“Nor has it made you any more attractive,” Liv quipped.
Bermuda pursed her lips, turning her attention to Chief Dag.
“I think I’ve fixed your infestation problem with the snorbs,” she said. “The gideons should make a full recovery.”
Chief Dag nodded. “Thank you, Bermuda.”
She picked up her gardening tools before offering Liv one more look of disdain.
When she’d stomped off, Liv shook the treaty at the chief. “Do you want to be included in the alliance or not? I don’t have all day.”
Actually, Liv was more concerned about shifting back into her normal form. It had been over an hour since Sophia had done the spell on her, and it was unclear how long it would last. Liv had been told that stress was a factor, and she couldn’t deny that her level of tension was higher than usual. How could it not be, when she was surrounded by brooding giants who would like nothing better than to stomp out an evil magician?
“Under the present circumstances, the giants have no interest in working with you magicians,” Chief Dag said, twirling his large finger in the air. “I suspect that in the future, you’ll have no alliances, especially if you keep strong-arming all the others.”
Liv unrolled the parchment to find that the Chief had magically given up their option for the next one hundred years, so she was almost done. All she had to do was make her exit.
“I don’t know what you mean,” Liv said. “We simply offer the others the protection you’ve declined.”
“Were you protecting those elves in the north that you slaughtered for disagreeing with you, Decar Sinclair?” Chief Dag asked, his voice booming.
Liv was knocked off-guard momentarily, not expecting this misdirection. “That’s not what happened.”
The chief nodded. “What you mean to say is that there isn’t any proof, but the rumors are clear about what happened. How can you expect anyone to negotiate with you when you exert your power, striking down anyone who would disagree with you?”
“That’s not what happened,” Liv repeated.
Decar had killed a bunch of elves? No wonder the council needed an extra advantage working with the elves.
“In one hundred years, don’t return to this island,” the Chief stated. “We will send our refusal to associate with magicians well in advance.” He lifted his hand, pointing at the exit. “Leave the village of the giants now.”
Liv knew better than to say a word, even using Decar’s voice. A bully could only get away with so much for so long. She feared she might not make it out of the village before the giants decided to pool their strength, striking down the evil magician, who even she thought deserved to be punished. What would have caused him to murder elves? For disagreeing? That couldn’t be the whole story. She needed to find out more.
When Liv turned around, the crowd at her back parted. She picked up her pace, pretending she was leaving of her own accord. Decar wouldn’t tuck tail and run. Instead, he’d hold his head unnecessarily high and sweep through the village like it was he
who couldn’t stand to be there one moment longer.
When Liv stepped to the other side of the large gate, they almost shut it on her heels. She hurried over the hills, knowing that the portal couldn’t be created until she was close to the water. The giants had certain wards around their village, and water was a powerful conduit for portals that increased their power, making them easier to use. That would be necessary for Liv since she currently lacked much of her strength.
She popped another handful of Reese’s Pieces into her mouth, chewing rapidly before swallowing quickly.
When she was over the last ridge and the ocean was only a few yards away, Plato appeared. Relief filled her stomach, making her smile. The expression probably appeared strange on the old man’s face, and Liv wondered if that was why Plato was giving her a strange look. A moment later he disappeared without saying a word.
“I get that he’s an ugly mudder, but you can handle looking at him a little longer,” Liv said, noticing that her hands were now her own. She was starting to turn back. The timing couldn’t have been any better.
With her legs changing back to normal, she nearly tumbled down the embankment leading to the beach. It was harder than before to negotiate the path to the cave.
When Liv had finally made it into the shelter of the cave, she realized that the hair on her shoulders was shorter, healthier, and blonde. She was nearly back to normal. Drawing in a breath, she prepared to create a portal home.
“I knew it was you,” a voice behind her said, making her freeze.
Chapter Twenty-Four