by Sarah Noffke
“I think that about does it,” Al said, then stopped suddenly. “My boat.”
Liv spun to face him, an unsure grin on her face. “Is that okay? I hope I didn’t overstep.”
He shook his head in disbelief. “She looks better than brand new. I’ll get a ton more swamp tours now, and I don’t have to pay for those repairs she’s been needing.”
“So you like it?” Liv asked, gratefully.
“Liv, I absolutely love it,” Al said. “But there’s one thing I still don’t get.”
Liv regarded the mortal, the nearby streetlamp providing most of the light to see him by.
“Magic is really real, isn’t it?” he asked.
Liv nodded. “Yes. It always has been, but you’re seeing it for the first time. Some really bad men had mortals spelled, but they are gone now.”
“Yes, that’s what you said,” Al stated, pulling off his cap and tousling his hair. “But if they are gone, who woke Zeno Dutillet?”
Liv nodded. “Who, indeed?”
“Well, you’re the detective, and I suspect you’ll figure it out,” he said, pointing to his truck. “Can I offer you a ride back to town?”
Liv shook her head. “No, I’ve got other transportation.” Then she created a portal home, desperately wanting a bath.
Al’s mouth opened wide with disbelief. “Holy Mother of God! That’s a real-life magic transport, isn’t it?”
Liv nodded. “It sure is. Good luck, Al Flournoy. I hope we never meet again because that will mean you and Zeno Dutillet are safe.”
Chapter Thirty-Six
As soon as Liv entered the Chamber of the Tree inside the House of Fourteen, she whipped out Bellator.
Each of the council members stirred to attention, their eyes on her. Lorenzo coughed uncomfortably. Kayla narrowed her dark eyes.
Haro leaned forward. “Warrior Beaufont, is everything okay?”
“No, everything isn’t all right,” she said, pointing her sword at the figure of Spencer Sinclair. “That’s why I’m holding a freaking sword inside this chamber.”
Stefan, seeing the look in her eyes, pulled his own sword, ready to join the fight even though he didn’t know what it was about. Beside him, Trudy tensed, uncertainty on her face.
Spencer held up his hands, shaking his head. “I don’t know what this is about.”
“I killed you,” Liv stated firmly.
“You what?” Lorenzo questioned.
“Well, it wasn’t Spencer,” Liv explained, holding Bellator firm. “It was an illusion.”
“Warrior Beaufont, will you please lower the sword while we get to the bottom of this?” Haro asked.
Liv glanced at Akio beside her, who gave her an encouraging look. Because she trusted him, she brought Bellator down. Stefan followed suit.
“Now, will you please explain why you would kill a fellow warrior?” Hester asked.
Liv’s eyes darted to the white tiger and the black crow that approached from opposite sides of the room. They settled down in front of the council, blinking with interest at her. “Because he came after me while I was on a case for Father Time. He had a machete and attacked me.”
Spencer laughed, pulling back his cloak to reveal a long sword. “Why would I carry a machete when I have this?”
Liv narrowed her eyes at the guy with the mohawk and disingenuous smile. “I don’t know, nor do I know why you came after me. I also don’t know if you’re real. You could be another illusion.”
“Are you quite certain the Spencer you killed was an illusion?” Clark asked.
Liv rolled her eyes at her brother. “Yes. When he turned to ash and floated away, I was pretty certain he wasn’t a real man.”
“Now she’s insulting my brother, after nearly attacking him,” Kayla complained.
More than anything, Liv wanted to attack Spencer to see if he was real. However, she restrained herself.
“Warrior DeVries,” Clark said, turning his attention to Trudy. “You were about to give us a report. Was Spencer with you during your last case?”
Trudy nodded. “Yes, the entire time.”
“Is it possible that someone created an illusion of Spencer to come after Warrior Beaufont?” Raina asked, running her finger over her lips as she thought.
“Yes, but why would they do that, and why use Spencer?” Haro questioned.
“And someone who can create those kinds of illusions is rare,” Kayla reasoned. “They would have to be very powerful.”
There was something in the way Kayla said this that rubbed Liv the wrong way. She shook it off, strode past the other warrior, and took her spot. “I was actually coming to the council today to give a report. Father Time and I believe that our enemies aren’t gone.”
Again the council stirred, many of them whispering. However, Kayla continued to stare at Liv. “We will always have enemies. That goes with the territory of policing the magical world.”
“Yeah,” Liv said, her tone agreeable. “But whoever this is seems to still have a vendetta against mortals, very much the same as Adler Sinclair’s.”
Kayla sat back with a look of annoyance on her face.
“What evidence do you have?” Bianca asked, her nostrils flaring.
“Well, for starters, someone woke the SandMan,” Liv explained.
Again, collective muttering. The council was like a bunch of excited schoolchildren about to go on a field trip, Liv thought.
“The SandMan?” Hester asked. “That’s why mortals have been falling asleep randomly, isn’t it? We thought it might have something to do with their brains being overloaded by the sudden appearance of magic, but the SandMan! That makes much more sense.”
“How do you know the SandMan was actually awakened?” Kayla asked.
“Because I put him back to sleep,” Liv stated.
“And where is he?” Kayla asked, studying her tablet. “I don’t see anything in your report about it.”
“Yes, because it was a case for Father Time,” Liv stated. “I’m not at liberty to say.”
Kayla lowered her tablet, a ruthless glare in her eyes. Oh, there was the family resemblance to Adler Sinclair, Liv thought. Now I see it.
“If the SandMan has been moved, that is of interest to the council,” Kayla argued.
“He’s safe and asleep, and that’s all anyone needs to know,” Liv said definitively.
“Actually,” Hester began, “I think it’s best if few know the SandMan’s whereabouts. It’s better if you keep that information to yourself.”
“Well, and not to mention that your cases with Father Time are off the record,” Raina stated.
“I really must object,” Kayla said. “Where are the checks and balances if we can’t review your work?”
Clark laughed. It was strange for him to do that, so everyone turned in his direction. “Really, who wants to have Father Time as a boss? I don’t think we have to worry about micromanaging Liv. I’m certain the little guy is doing that on his own.”
Liv flashed him a punishing look. Only a few knew the current form Papa Creola had taken. It was best if not many knew since he was fearful that others were hunting him, both to make requests and for other selfish gains. Clark’s laughter ended abruptly as he read the murderous expression on Liv’s face.
“I am only guessing, though,” Clark quickly covered. “I’m not sure if he’s little or not.”
Right on cue, Diabolos squawked, throwing doubt on Clark’s words. Liv rubbed her hand over her forehead, trying to decide exactly when she was going to put her brother into a headlock.
Hester glared at the crow before bringing her attention back to Liv. “It’s good to hear that mortals are safe once more, and you bring up a good point. If someone woke the SandMan, they definitely are going after mortals.”
“Are we sure it couldn’t have been something Adler did before he was stopped?” Haro asked.
“I don’t know how we can be sure of anything,” Liv stated. “However, I think it’s i
mportant that we keep up our guard in case there are others out there who want to undermine the House of Fourteen’s agenda.” Her eyes flicked to Spencer, who, as before, appeared to be in a strange daze.
“And what about your task of finding the Mortal Seven?” Bianca asked. “Have you made any progress with that, or have you only been supposedly hunting down the SandMan?”
Her message was so riddled with insinuations. Liv had to stop herself from saying something that would only bring further heat onto her. However, she had to get in at least one jab. “Well, tracking down the SandMan wasn’t as easy as picking out shoes to go with my funeral costume,” Liv said, flicking her hand in Bianca’s direction.
The Councilor narrowed her eyes, looking down at her black dress, which was buttoned all the way up to the neck. “Insulting my clothes? Have you really sunk so low?”
“I have,” Liv admitted at once. “And yes, I’ve made progress with the Mortal Seven case. I’m hoping the first one will be found tonight.”
This was a rather hopeful promise on Liv’s part, but she had to believe it was John. If she sang the chimera song to Pickles and he didn’t transform, well, she’d be extremely disappointed. Although she’d tried to prepare herself for this potential reality, she also thought there was great power in believing in her desired outcome.
“Tonight?” Kayla asked. “And which one of the Mortal Seven families are you going after?”
A chill ran down Liv’s spine. She had the urge to erase the names of the Mortal Seven families from the record, but that would be impossible. They were clearly printed on the tree in the chamber behind the council.
“The Luce family,” Liv lied.
Diabolos squawked loudly.
Liv shot him a frustrated scowl. “Did I say tonight? I meant tomorrow.”
Kayla leaned back with a satisfied grin on her face. “Well, I wish you the best of luck with that.”
Liv lowered her chin, wishing that she had the ability to see through illusions. “I don’t need luck.”
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Liv was hoping to swing by John’s shop before her big plans for later. She had an extra half-hour. Her insides were nearly bursting with excitement. She simply had to know if Pickles was a chimera.
However, when she rounded the corner, she noticed a figure pacing in front of the repair shop. Liv stopped suddenly wondering what that person was doing here. He didn’t belong there, and it was obvious by the way many passersby gave him curious stares.
“What are you doing here?” Liv asked Emilio Mantovani as she approached.
Much like his sister, he was wearing all black. However, he didn’t give her the same repulsed stare as Bianca. “I need your help.”
Liv sighed. “Get in line, then.”
She charged past him into the shop, looking around anxiously for John and Pickles. Emilio, who couldn’t take a hint, strode into the shop after her. “I’m serious, Liv. I really need help, and I think you’re the only one who can do it.”
“I have no idea how to get it out,” Liv said, spinning to face him.
His face contorted in confusion. “Get what out?”
“The stick up your sister’s ass,” she answered with a snicker. “I fear it is stuck up there for good.”
To her surprise, he laughed at that. “My sister is really uptight. That’s actually one of the reasons I need your help.”
“This is about the fae girl you like, isn’t it?” Liv asked.
“I love her,” Emilio corrected.
“That’s part of the fae’s deception, you realize?”
He shook his head. “Electra wouldn’t do that to me. What I feel for her is real. What we have is pure.”
“That’s beautiful,” Liv said sarcastically. “There’s a pharmacy down the street. Go down there, buy a sappy greeting card, write that on the inside, and give it to her. Girls love that sort of thing, or so I’ve heard.”
“Liv, you know that I can’t even see her,” Emilio stated. “Bianca has forbidden it.”
“I get that she likes to act like an authoritative school mistress, and dress like one too, but she has no power over you.” Liv absentmindedly glanced around, looking for John in the back or Pickles resting in his bed. There was no sign of them.
“She does, though,” Emilio said, following Liv around the shop. “She’s the Councilor, and therefore can demote me if she chooses.”
Liv halted suddenly. “She wouldn’t.”
He nodded. “She would, and has promised to replace me if I don’t stop seeing Electra. There are other eligible Mantovanis who can take my place.”
Liv shook her head. The council had way too much power if they could simply uproot a Warrior without a good excuse. “Well, that sucks, but I don’t know what you want me to do about it. Bianca won’t do anything I say. Actually, if I argued with her about it, that would only make her more likely to pursue it.”
“Please don’t let this go to your head, but you have a tenacious spirit that can’t be beat.”
Liv rolled her eyes. “You, Mantovani, really don’t know how to talk to people, do you?”
“I think you’re okay and all. I don’t hate you like my sister does.”
“This Electra girl. Is she deaf? Or did she fall for this smooth sweet-talking you do?”
Emilio shook his head. “Liv, I’m trying to say that you’re the only one I can think of who can change things. For too long, the laws of the House have stated that there could be no interracial relations between Royals and other magical creatures.”
Liv sighed. “Yes, I’m aware of how outdated and conservative the laws are.”
“That’s exactly why we have to change them,” Emilio said with enthusiasm. “The House is different now. We are the House of Fourteen. Soon the Mortal Seven will join us. We should update our laws. We need to innovate ourselves for the twenty-first century.”
“Great. That’s a lovely speech,” Liv said. “Please give it to the council.”
He sighed loudly. “I can’t. Bianca would kill me. However, you have nothing to lose.”
She lowered her chin, ready to spell the uncouth magician. “I have plenty to lose.”
“Yes, but you don’t seem to care,” he argued. “You went up against Adler. You’re not afraid to speak your mind. You’re the perfect person to change things.”
“I’m sort of busy right now recovering the Mortal Seven,” Liv said, noticing a note on the worktable addressed to her. She plucked it up.
“I get that. I was just thinking that maybe in between doing what you do, you could also help to change the laws,” Emilio said, a begging quality in his voice.
Liv was only giving him a hard time. She had every intention of helping him. And not only that, she had to change the laws for her and Stefan. The question was how. And hopefully, Clark and Raina would have some answers about that.
After leaving Emilio in uncomfortable silence for a long bit, she brought her eyes away from the note John left for her. “Fine. I’ll help you.”
His fist shot in the air. “Thank you. I knew you would. You really aren’t an undisciplined obnoxious heathen.”
“Thanks,” Liv said dryly, pointing to the door and dismissing Emilio. He left without a word, giving Liv a chance to read the note John had left for her since he apparently didn’t believe in text messages.
I’m at the apartment. Join me when you return.
Liv huffed in frustration. Singing to Pickles would have to wait.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
“I think I’m losing all my brain cells,” Rudolf said, pausing after trying to blow up a balloon.
“Now you know how the rest of us feel,” Liv said dryly, holding up a long bit of streamer as Rory hung it on the wall.
“Why, again, can’t we use magic to decorate for Sophia’s party?” Rudolf asked.
“Because,” Bermuda stated, grabbing the balloon he’d failed multiple times to blow up. “It’s more special if we actually pu
t physical effort into decorating. It means more.”
“Also, apparently Leonard doesn’t do well with too much magic performed around him,” Liv said, indicating the first bathroom.
“Leonard?” Rudolf questioned, sticking his finger into the cheese dip and tasting it.
“That’s Liv’s way of trying to nickname Sophia’s dragon,” Stefan stated.
“It’s cute, and he totally loves it,” Liv said, slapping Rudolf’s hand away as he tried to sample the dip again.
“I’m certain he doesn’t,” Bermuda countered. “Dragons are refined, and usually don’t like humor.”
“But those are dragons raised by other dragons,” Rory countered, taping the streamer in place. He gave Liv an impatient look since she’d abandoned her post, helping him.
“I don’t see why it would be any different for Sophia’s dragon,” Bermuda stated in a nasal voice.
“Because sometimes when we aren’t raised around our kind, we behave a bit differently,” Rory said in a low voice.
“Are you insinuating something, son?” Bermuda questioned, her voice rising.
“When did you say, John, that Sophia had left to take Pickles on his walk?” Liv asked loudly, trying to interrupt the feud about to ensue.
John pulled his head out the mess of wires around the entertainment center. He’d been trying to get the music going, but there were some technical difficulties. “I think—”
“I don’t see why dogs can’t walk themselves,” Serena said, practicing the Charleston in the middle of the floor.
“And I’m astonished that you don’t need to be walked,” Liv said.
“Now, are you sure that if I keep this up, it will enhance my fertility?” Serena asked Bermuda.
The giant nodded. Then she leaned over and whispered to Liv, “No, actually. I just needed to get that annoying girl out of my hair. She doesn’t stop.”