by Sarah Noffke
Liv shook her head at Sophia. “Isn’t it cute? He is being serious. This isn’t a strange dream, and our day jobs aren’t jokes.”
“Yeah, which reminds me,” Sophia said to her sister. “There’s a woman who works at Crying Cat Bakery here on Roya Lane I think you need to look into. She is an assassin of sorts.”
Liv nodded. “Oh, Lee. Yeah, I have been over there for a few domestic disputes. They make a great cup of coffee. Just don’t eat the cupcakes.”
“Too late for that advice,” Subner remarked, finally joining the conversation. He held out a hand to Sophia. “I’ll take the peanut butter cookie.”
Sophia narrowed her eyes at the all-knowing hippie. “How do you know I got peanut butter?”
“Because I wanted it,” he answered. “You can have the chocolate chip. Throw the oatmeal raisin in the trash since Wilder won’t be eating anything for a while.”
“Also because it has raisins in it,” Papa Creola added. “I thought Mama Jamba was trying to get rid of those.”
“She’s having issues with health nuts who insist on keeping the dried fruits around even though they ruin everything they are in,” Sophia said, having had an entirely too long conversation with Mother Nature on this particular subject.
“You intended for us to go to the Crying Cat Bakery, didn’t you?” Wilder asked, conviction in his tone. “That’s why you told us to get here early and then had the shop closed.”
“I can’t leave here to get cookies.” Subner took the cookie Sophia offered him.
“No, why do that when he has minions like us to do his errands,” she complained.
Liv nodded, pointing at Father Time. “This one makes me pick up his dry cleaning.”
“You dry clean your T-shirts?” Sophia asked the elf.
“Only my bamboo pants and linen jackets,” he explained and then shivered. “Being a hippie still doesn’t feel right.”
Subner agreed with a nod, pointing at his own shirt. “I think it should be illegal for me to wear this, and yet, it’s what I woke up in this morning.”
“Yeah, the protector of weapons, being against killing seems ironic,” Sophia said.
“And the assistant to Papa Creola, killing time, makes it even better,” Liv added.
“Well, now that we have fetched your breakfast, as you intended,” Wilder began, “do you want to tell us about this mission?”
Subner lifted a bushy eyebrow at him. “That wasn’t the only reason the shop was closed and I wanted you to go to the Crying Cat Bakery.”
Sophia couldn’t help but roll her eyes. “Told you, Wild. It was all orchestrated for some devilish agenda.”
“But what, I wonder,” he questioned, eyeing the protector of weapons. “It seemed like a waste.”
Subner pressed his hands together as if in prayer. “The time you wasted is not wasted time.” He shook his head. “Sorry, what I meant to say was, make a wish, take a chance, and make a change.”
Sophia and Wilder exchanged confused expressions. “Say what?”
Subner sighed. “See, that’s why I need your help. I can’t stop talking in hippie phrases. Maybe it’s because I want to be wild, beautiful, and free, just like the sea.” He shook his head. “That isn’t what I meant to say.” He bit down on his knuckle, seeming to try and restrain himself.
“What is going on?” Sophia asked.
“It’s Cupid,” Subner said through gritted teeth. “There’s a problem with his bow and arrow, which is causing resonating effects worldwide.”
“Resonating effects?” Sophia questioned.
“Yes, the calibration is off,” Subner explained.
“And people like us,” Father Time indicated Subner and him, “are particularly attuned to it.”
“You mean hippies?” Liv questioned.
He nodded. “Yes, but that isn’t the biggest concern. Cupid’s arrows are having unintended consequences, causing mortals to become lustful. Those who shouldn’t fall in love are. And vice versa.”
“Oh,” Sophia said, drawing out the word.
“You aren’t affected by this,” Subner explained, reading her thoughts. “Magicians are notorious for their cold hearts. The resonating effects of Cupid’s bow don’t affect your type unless you are struck directly. Which is why I want you to go together. If Wilder went alone, I don’t think he’d have much luck getting the bow from Cupid. He won’t want to part with it easily, afraid I’m decommissioning him, as I tried to all those years ago.”
“You want me to go and help distract him, is that right?” Sophia asked.
Subner nodded, taking a bite of the cookie. “Yes, and then Wilder can get the bow and arrow, recalibrate it and give it back to the little runt.”
“You are starting to sound like your old self again,” Sophia observed.
The elf nodded. “The cookie helps. It’s why fairy godmothers live on a diet entirely made up of sweets. It balances them out so they can be objective when it comes to love.”
“Great,” Wilder said, not sounding amused. “Where do we find this Cupid?”
Subner shrugged, taking another bite. “I haven’t got a clue.”
“That seems about right,” Sophia muttered.
“But your partner here has an inside resource who will know where to find him since they are in the same business of matchmaking,” Subner explained, finishing the cookie.
“Do you mean…” Sophia trailed away, knowing Subner was referring to Mae Ling at Happily Ever After College, the place where fairy godmothers were trained.
He nodded. “Your resource is in class for another hour, so you’ll have to find a way to kill time until then.”
Papa Creola put his hands to his ears. “Please, Sub, can you rephrase that?”
“Yeah, sorry, Papa,” he amended, glancing back at Wilder and Sophia. “May every sunrise hold more promise and every sunset hold more peace.” He shook his head.
“You are getting worse again,” Liv observed.
“Yes, the cookie didn’t help as much as I would have liked,” Subner stated, rubbing his belly as if it was suddenly bothering him.
“Actually, Liv,” Sophia started, looking at her sister. “Maybe you can help me track down a lead? I need to find some information on Trin Currante, the pirate who stole our dragon eggs.”
Liv nodded. “I might have someone who can help.” She gave Papa Creola a tentative expression.
The hippie gave her a reassuring look. “It’s fine. You can’t track down any tooth fairies until nightfall. That’s the only time they are visible. During the day, I can’t even find them.”
“Sunshine is my favorite accessory,” Subner said, all dreamy-eyed.
“Okay, we have got to fix this one,” Sophia told Wilder, pointing in Subner’s direction.
“Whatever makes your soul happy, do that,” Subner related.
Wilder agreed with a nod. “First, let’s go check up on this lead for Trin. Then we’ll find out where Cupid is hiding.”
Liv strode over and put her arm around her sister’s shoulder. “Who would have thought you’d make me feel like I had a normal job?”
Sophia smiled back. “If I make you feel normal, you have a lot of problems.”
“Let your smile change the world,” Subner called to the three of them as they left the shop. “Not the world change your smile.”
Chapter Thirteen
“So, where are we headed?” Wilder asked when the three of them were outside the Fantastical Armory.
Liv spun around, halting him. “We aren’t going anywhere. Sorry, but my inside source can’t be risked.”
“But I’m a Dragon Elite,” Wilder argued. “You can trust me.”
The warrior for the House of Fourteen huffed. “Sorry, Blue Eyes. I don’t trust anyone except my sister and brother. Oh, and Rory Laurens. On occasion, King Rudolf. Oh, and my boyfriend, Stefan Ludwig. Most of the other Warriors for the House, and some of the Councilors. Other than that, I don’t trust anyone.”
Wilder offered her a friendly smile. “Well, maybe one day I’ll earn your trust.”
Liv pursed her lips and gave Sophia and then Wilder scrutinizing expressions. “Maybe. Answer me this question. You can only have three toppings on your nachos. What are they?”
Wilder grimaced. “I actually don’t like cheese.”
Liv threw up her hands, striding off. “You are dead to me, Blue Eyes. Simply dead to me.”
Sophia spun to face him, walking backward after her sister. “Wrong answer. She probably won’t ever talk to you again.”
“Is it really that serious?” he asked. “It’s only nachos.”
“For the love of all that’s magical!” Liv roared. “Where did you find this one? Next he’s going to say he’s vegan.”
“Nah,” Wilder retorted. “If I was vegan, you’d have already heard about it.”
“Ha!” Liv fired back. “My heart really goes out for those who are vegan and do CrossFit. I bet they struggle with what to tell people first.”
Wilder followed after the two sisters, a hopeful smile on his face. “What do you say? Can I come on this fact-finding mission? Soph will attest I can be trusted.”
Liv didn’t even give Sophia a chance to say anything. “It isn’t her call. I don’t trust anyone with this source.”
Wilder’s hopeful expression dropped. “Okay, well, then I’ll meet up with you, Soph, when you are done.”
She halted, making the other two pause. “Sorry, but you can’t go with me when I meet with my source either.”
“But it’s to find information on Cupid, which is our case,” Wilder argued.
Sophia shrugged. “Sorry, but my source has strictly forbidden me from bringing others with me.” Sophia wasn’t sure if men could even enter Happily Ever After College where Mae Ling was. She was fairly certain the school for fairy godmothers was full of only women.
“Then I’ll be at the Castle,” Wilder said, disappointment on his face.
Sophia nodded, wishing she could say something to make him feel better. It appeared all she could do was let him down with everything she did.
Chapter Fourteen
“Are we talking about how you are ruining his life?” Liv asked Sophia as they started down Roya Lane.
Sophia was used to getting looks when she went down the magical street in London, but not like this. As she walked beside her sister, Warrior for the House, Sophia noticed the people gave them a wide berth. Gnomes headed their direction suddenly turned and ran off in the opposite direction as fast as their short legs would take them at the sight of Liv Beaufont.
“I think I’d rather talk about how you have ruined all these magical creature’s lives,” Sophia joked, deflecting.
Liv reached out and grabbed what Sophia thought was a mop. Not until the warrior shook it did Sophia realize it was an old magician with long hair that looked like a mop head. He was so boney she’d have mistaken his arm for the handle. He apparently had been glamoured to look just like the cleaning instrument. As Liv shook him continuously, his actual appearance came into view, although it really wasn’t much different than that of a beat-up old mop.
“Hey, Gary,” Liv said, looking the magician straight in his beady eyes. “What are you doing here?”
“H-Hey, Warrior Beaufont,” the man stuttered. “Just volunteering my time to help disadvantaged pixies.”
“You mean, take advantage of naïve fairies,” Liv corrected, holding the man’s arm tight, her expression fierce.
“You say potatoes and I say—”
“All lies,” Liv interrupted. She reached into the man’s coat pocket and felt around.
“Hey, there, Missy,” Gary complained with a sneer. “Although I’m flattered, I’m not attracted to you like that and would kindly ask you to stop with your advances.”
“I just can’t help myself,” Liv said, continuing to feel around in the man’s pocket, although it appeared much deeper than a usual garment.
“It appears I might have to make a harassment complaint to the House of Fourteen regarding you,” Gary threatened and then added, “Yet again.”
“Oh, no. Please don’t,” Liv protested, feigning fear, then grabbing his arm and twisting it behind his back, making his face pinch with pain. “Please don’t tell them I used unnecessary force on you.” She threw him back into the brick wall, making his head hit hard. “And please don’t tell them I assaulted you. I’ll do whatever it takes.”
Gary laughed through the pain. “This time you are leaving bruises. How can I not tell your bosses you aren’t following protocol?”
Liv pinned Gary to the wall with her elbow as she continued to feel around in his pockets. “First of all, I don’t have a boss. Second of all, if I find any more pixies on you.” Liv pulled a restrained and gagged fairy from the man’s pocket and held it up in front of his face. “Then you are going to be turning yourself in and hoping the House of Fourteen locks you up before I can get my hands on you. I swear their punishment will be far more kind than mine.”
“Oh, how did she get in my pocket?” Gary asked with a nervous giggle.
Liv handed the pixie back to Sophia, who went straight to work untying its bindings. The warrior continued to check Gary over. When she’d determined he didn’t have any more pixies on him, she shoved him harder into the wall.
“Let’s get one thing straight,” Liv said, her mouth inches from his dirty face. “I have my eye on you. If I so much as imagine you are trafficking pixies again, I’m going to take you down to Merlin’s on all you can eat Tuesdays.”
“You wouldn’t,” he gasped, his voice suddenly a hoarse whisper.
“Try me, Gary,” Liv threatened, shoving him into the wall again as she stood back.
He shook out his arms, visibly shaking now. “Fine, Liv. I’ll be good. You’ll not catch me with any more pixies.”
“Just remember that if you slip up, I’ll catch you,” Liv warned as the wooden looking man hurried off through the crowd, nearly tripping on his feet to get away from her.
“You think it was safe to let that jerk go?” Sophia asked, looking the blue-haired pixie over before determining she was uninjured. She bowed as she rose into the air, her wings working double-time to make her fly.
Sophia smiled and waved her off before turning her attention to her sister.
“Gary won’t slip up again,” Liv stated with confidence. “But if he does, I’ll know about it since I just implanted a tracking device on him. If he goes near a pixie, I’m going to get a notification of his whereabouts.”
“And this Merlin place?” Sophia asked. “He appeared legitimately scared about an all you can eat buffet.”
Liv laughed. “As he should. Merlin is a man-eating serpent, and on Tuesdays, he fills up on the low-lifes I decide aren’t worthy of clogging up our dungeons in the House of Fourteen.”
“Wow, I never took you to be one for corporal punishment,” Sophia said, surprised by her sister.
Liv winked and leaned forward. “I’m not. But what I’m good at is spreading rumors about man-eating serpents that don’t really exist.”
“Oh…” Sophia was thoroughly impressed.
Liv wrapped her arm around her sister’s shoulders, steering her in the opposite direction. “The key to justice is giving people the right motivators not to break the law. Oh, and technology. It’s our friend and keeps tabs on the offenders.”
The area of the street where they were walking was mostly empty now. Many had taken the altercation with Gary as their chance to get away before Liv could rough them up. She gave a few gnomes dirty looks before turning her attention back to Sophia. “What were we talking about? Oh, you broke that boy’s heart. Want to tell me about it?”
“He’s not a boy,” Sophia corrected. “Wilder is two-hundred years old.”
Liv whistled. “Oh, breed with that one. He’s got great genes.”
“Hold up, there,” Sophia said, pulling away from her sister. “As you so approp
riately noticed, I have broken his heart, and there’s nothing going on between us anymore.”
“Right,” Liv agreed, pausing in the Lane. “But you were able to break his heart because he cares, which is telling in itself.”
“There’s nothing to tell,” Sophia insisted. “We can’t be together. Hiker would kill us.”
“I’m certain he wouldn’t,” Liv argued.
“No, he had,” Sophia explained. “He has an awful temper and would rather kill off half his riders than have two of them going against his rule.”
“Remember, when I started dating Stefan, warriors and councilors for the House of Fourteen were forbidden from being together,” Liv explained.
Sophia nodded. She remembered this recent history. “Yeah, but you changed the law because you are Liv.”
Her sister smiled. “I changed the law because it was dumb, and I do what I want when I think it’s good and true and within reason.”
“Yeah, well, I can’t change Hiker’s mind on this, and also, there are a lot of other reasons Wilder and I don’t make sense together,” Sophia told her sister. “Remember when I said he was over two hundred years old?”
Liv nodded. “Yeah, it’s sounding a bit like a Bella and Edward scenario.”
Sophia shuddered. “Did you just make a Twilight reference?”
“Hey, don’t knock it until you’ve tried it,” Liv argued. “It’s no Great Gatsby, but to each their own. I get what you are trying to say, but you aren’t any normal girl, Soph. You are wise beyond your years. I dare say someone a hundred years older than you’d probably be too immature.”
She laughed, thinking of Evan. “That’s accurate.”
“Just don’t close your mind off to possibilities,” her sister encouraged. “You never know how this part of your story will go. Maybe an angry Viking will dictate your personal future, but I sort of hope I raised you better than that. Maybe you’ll run from love because it doesn’t make practical sense in your already complicated world. I, for one, have been there, done that, and would fault you none. Just don’t tell yourself the story has already been written before the ink has dried because in this day and age, there are so many ways to erase and tell things differently. Just be open to a different ending, is all I’m saying.”