by Sarah Noffke
Why would you want to cause insecurity? Sophia wondered.
Lunis flapped his wings, gracefully making it to the other side of the Barrier, where the sun never seemed to shine as brightly. Because she’s mean to me and tells me I’m a mistake because I like to play Pokémon Go and aspire to be an Instagram influencer.
She said that to you? Sophia asked, horror-struck and fiercely protective all of a sudden.
Yeah, and she doesn’t think you’re as good a rider because you’re a girl, he said, fanning the flames of Sophia's anger.
How dare she! Sophia exclaimed, vengeance in her tone. Tell her she’s being retired and put out to pasture. Sent to the glue factory.
Damn, you’re cold, Lunis told her, sounding impressed.
Well, no one messes with my dragon, Sophia declared with conviction. Damn it, why is it another female is going to keep the other down. Why can’t we support each other?
You preach it, sister, Lunis cheered.
Sophia shook her head at her dragon but smiled all the same. The three will sort it out. I think NO10JO could be good for Evan. Coral will figure things out. A little change is all anyone needs, especially after three hundred years.
Chapter Fifty-One
Change wasn’t easy for dragons, magicians, or cyborgs. Sophia knew confronting Trin Currante wasn’t going to be easy.
She suspected the cyborg pirate would try to fight her. Getting to her without a fight was going to be tough, but the only way to earn her trust was to not harm her or her men. It was usually easier to go into these things with all guns blazing, which was why Sophia was going to have to rely on her greatest weapon: strategy.
Even though Sophia had grown up only hours away from San Diego, she’d never been to the port city. She’d never been to many places, having been a very sheltered child. Clark had been so worried about anything happening to her after their parent’s death and then their siblings’. Because Sophia was a unique magician with powers from an early age, he had protected her fiercely, not allowing her to leave the House of Fourteen.
Her life now was a stark contrast to her childhood, with adventure after adventure. It suited Sophia, and she never wanted to be confined again, even though she always looked forward to returning home at the end of a mission.
Waiting until they were over the harbor in San Diego, Sophia began the spell for finding the concentration of magitech. She hoped this worked because she didn’t really have a plan B. She had gotten the idea for the spell from Mama Jamba, who seemingly knew the answers to all problems, but preferred for her children to figure it out on their own most of the time.
Sophia had once heard that having a backup plan was a sure way to failure. When taking a big risk, if there was a safety net, then sometimes people didn’t put their all into the initial effort, knowing they had a plan B if things didn’t work. But if you were all in with the only option you had, then you’d push to make that one work. That was the idea anyway, and Sophia hoped in this instance, it worked in her favor. Otherwise, she didn’t know how they would find Trin Currante.
Flying over the area of the harbor with private yachts and boats that took tourists out on cruises, Sophia continued on to the port area of the bay, where the larger ships and freighters were located. That made the most sense for Trin Currante’s boat, but there would be only one way to know for sure.
Finishing the spell, Sophia sat back on Lunis, studying the boats on the water to determine if it worked. At first, nothing happened, and she feared plan A was a waste of time, which would mean they’d need to quickly create a plan B. A few seconds later, small lights started to flicker around the port area. Not a lot, but enough to catch Sophia’s attention.
There was one that lit up an area of a jet boat. It must have magitech on board. In the distance, there was a house with a couple of lights shimmering around it. Maybe it was inhabited by magicians with magitech. On the far side of the port next to the shipping yard, a large ship was ablaze with lights.
“Bingo!” Sophia exclaimed. “Looks like we found Trin Currante’s pirate ship.”
Chapter Fifty-Two
State of Grace.
That was the name of Trin Currante’s ship. Sophia laughed as they circled the large vessel, realizing she might have been able to locate the ship even if plan A didn’t work.
Alongside the freighters and other neighboring cruise liners, the State of Grace probably would have gotten her attention. It stood out from the other ships. One might have mistaken it for a themed boat that took tourists on adventures because it looked unmistakably like a pirate’s ship.
It wasn’t like the McAfee, Quiet’s ship he once sailed through the North Sea. That one had appeared like an ancient ship that sailed the unforgiving oceans. This one looked like the Black Pearl that cut through choppy waters, taking names, stealing and pillaging and creating destruction in its wake.
Almost stereotypically, the ship was entirely black. The sails, which were rolled up tightly, were black. On the front of the ship was a statue of a woman leaning out of the bow. She was beautiful, with her flowing black hair and a wicked smile. Unlike Trin Currante, she appeared a hundred percent human.
The deck of the ship was clear except for a few cyborgs, which Sophia could recognize as such from the air as they neared. The dragons had glamoured themselves to look like aircraft, which in San Diego wouldn’t be questioned, and were flying overhead in the harbor.
The ship was massive, and Sophia assumed there would be a few dozen cyborgs on it. Getting onto a tight space and not causing fights with people who had battled them many times was going to be a challenge.
She glanced at Evan riding beside her. Gesturing, she communicated to him the ship below was their target.
From Coral’s back, Sophia noticed NO10JO getting more anxious, rising to a standing position next to Evan. He seemed to be having trouble controlling the dog all of a sudden.
“We’ve got to get down there,” Sophia communicated to Evan, using an amplifying spell so he could hear while in the air.
From surveying the area, it looked like trying to get onto the ship from the dock would be difficult. There was a security gate that appeared to be heavily guarded. There were also a couple of cyborgs patrolling the walkway areas leading the ship.
“The best option is to drop onto the deck from up high,” Sophia informed him.
He nodded and then shook his head. “How do you suggest we do that? I’ve got a dog, remember?”
“I remember,” she replied. “I guess we’re going to have to use one of my favorite strategies.”
He sighed. “Oh, I can’t wait to hear this. Lay it on me, Pink Princess.”
Chapter Fifty-Three
“Jump, then fall,” Sophia instructed Evan.
“That’s your crafty plan?” he questioned. “You just want us to jump onto the deck from the dragons? You said it was strategic.”
“Right,” she affirmed. “Just because it’s strategic, it doesn’t mean it has to be complicated.”
He sighed, appearing defeated. “I just thought it could involve a dramatic entrance, maybe some spy devices and some other super-cool elements.”
She shrugged. “That’s the plan. We jump off the dragons, and then we fall onto the deck.”
“Fine, but what about NO10JO?” Evan asked.
As if in answer to his question, the dog lifted its paw and combed it over the rider’s arm.
Sophia smiled. “I think it’s down with the plan. Something tells me the dog has great jumping skills.” She remembered how fast he was on the grounds for Medford Research and was looking forward to seeing the dog in action.
“Let’s go in just a minute,” Sophia called to him, studying the deck of the State of Grace. There were three or four cyborgs doing various chores in the main area. Hopefully they could disband them without much commotion. Her eyes trailed to a set of doors that were intricately decorated. That had to be the area that led to the captain’s quarters. She susp
ected that’s where Trin Currante was located.
Hope filled Sophia’s chest. This seemed like a pretty straightforward mission for once.
Jump and fall onto the deck. Subdue a few pirates. Crash into the captain’s quarters and make friends with Trin Currante, who the last time Sophia saw her had tried to kill her. Easy-peasy.
What could go wrong?
Chapter Fifty-Four
Last kiss before you go? Lunis asked in Sophia’s head.
“No, thanks,” she said. “I hear kissing dragons will give me an awful rash.”
As well as a lot of other awesome stuff, Lunis argued.
Sophia laughed, pulling her leg around and preparing to slide down Lunis’ back and jump onto the ship. He was almost into position about a dozen feet from the surface of the ship.
“You’ll be close by?” she asked, already knowing the answer.
Yeah, I’m just going to pop over to the zoo, he teased. I hear they have lemurs, and I’ve always wanted to see those in person.
“The dragon wants to be up close with a lemur,” she mused, shaking her head.
You won’t let me have a dog, he argued. What else am I supposed to do?
“You and I both know you’d get bored with a dog after a few months, and then I’d have to take care of it,” she said in a punishing tone.
Yes, Mom, I get it, he muttered. I’ll be here. I’m going to go mess with the drunk tourist over there on that booze cruise. I’ll remove my glamour when Cindy is looking off romantically at the horizon. Then when she tells her boyfriend Paul she just saw a dragon, I’ll change back, making it appear like Cindy is losing her mind.
Sophia nodded. “Seems like a good use of your magical powers.”
The best use of them is to make mortals think they are going crazy, he said with a laugh.
“Yeah, who would want to use them to make the world a better place?” she questioned sarcastically.
Boring people, he answered.
“That’s me, Miss Boring,” she said, sucking in a breath and preparing for the fall.
You said it, not me, he said, his tone serious. Okay, be safe, dear Soph. Holler if you need anything. I’ll be straight above, ready to dive in and scorch some pirates if it gets to that.
“Let’s hope it doesn’t,” she said, then kissed her hand and laid it affectionately on her dragon. “See you soon.”
With that, Sophia slid down Lunis’ wing, which dipped perfectly and created a gentle slide that sent her to the deck below.
Chapter Fifty-Five
Breathe, Sophia thought when she landed in a crouch on the deck of the State of Grace. However, her landing on the ship hadn’t gone unnoticed by the cyborgs close by.
Two of them spun, one holding a mop and the other a sword. The first narrowed his good eye while the other flashed a murderous glare at her. They both appeared ready to spring into action and get rid of the stowaway who had just dropped out of thin air.
Before they could charge at her, Evan landed beside Sophia, not as gracefully as she’d arrived.
“Dude, really?” he asked her, not seeming to notice the menacing figures about to charge them. “Jump and fall? That was your plan? I think I have a shin splint now.”
“Evan…” she said, her eyes nervously on the two cyborgs.
“Don’t ‘Evan’ me,” he complained, his attention on Sophia, no regard for the potential enemies about to pounce. He rolled his shoulders. “You owe me a massage for this. Where’s my dog?” He glanced up, holding out his arms for NO10JO. “Come on, boy. I’ll catch you because the landing is a bitch. I’m sorry. Sophia has the worst ideas.”
NO10JO seemed to be preparing himself for the jump. He made a few false starts, then the dog disappeared from Coral’s back and appeared on the deck next to them.
“Oh, the dog can teleport,” Evan exclaimed with a laugh.
Although that was impressive, Sophia kept her eyes trained on the two cyborgs, who seemed to be looking for their chance to attack.
“Yeah, that’s cool, but the thing is—”
“Cool?” Evan questioned, sounding offended, and facing off with Sophia. “Cool? My dog can teleport. That’s a bit more than cool, methinks, Phia!”
“You’re right,” Sophia said tersely, still regarding the pirates. “Thing is—”
“Oh, are you going to make this about you, now?” Evan demanded, seemingly looking for a fight. He was about to get it, but not with Sophia.
“Hey, Ev, really quickly, do you remember where we are?” she asked.
He nodded, throwing his hands in the air. “Of course I do. You made me jump twelve feet onto the deck of a pirate’s ship.”
“What do all pirate ships have?” she challenged, her hand flexing next to her sword, although she was hoping not to pull it.
“I don’t know,” he said dismissively. “Booty?”
“And?” Sophia urged.
“I’m guessing there’s some rum, a Jolly Roger’s flag, and a hempen halter,” he mused, seeming to be thinking about his list.
“One important thing you’re forgetting,” she ground out through clenched teeth.
Evan scratched his head. “I don’t know. Since you’re a goody-goody know-it-all, why don’t you tell me?”
She pointed at the two cyborgs, who surprisingly hadn’t attacked, as if they were mildly interested in the exchange of the two trespassers. Or maybe it was Evan’s ridiculous obliviousness to danger.
He rotated his chin and nodded at the cyborgs like he’d expected to see them there. “Hey, fellas. We’re having a discussion, but we’ll be with you soon.”
Turning his attention back to Sophia, he pursed his lips. “My dog can teleport.”
“Amazing,” she replied, stunned he had seen the pirates but was just dismissing them. They edged in closer, the one with the dripping mop turning it to hold it like a weapon. The one with the sword pointed the tip in their direction. “I think we can discuss that later. We need to deal with those two gentlemen first.”
Evan resigned. “Fine, fine. You take the one with the sword. I’ve never fought a cyborg with a mop, and it feels like I’m overdue.”
Sophia began, glancing at the two cyborg pirates, “We aren’t here to hurt you. We just came to have a civil conversation with—”
Apparently, they didn’t believe her. Both pirates charged. Sophia chose not to pull her sword, hoping she could deflect the attacks. She spun to the side, out of the one pirate’s attack. He swung the sword in her direction, but she moved fast, pivoting away.
Holding the heavy weapon made it slower for him to move. She was at his back an instant later and lifted her boot.
Pairing the next movement with a combat spell, she said, “Sorry about this. I really didn’t want to hurt you.”
She then shoved the heel of her boot into his back and launched him several feet. The assault sent him to the rails, where he nearly fell over the side, but then caught himself. Sophia flicked her fingers slightly, and that was enough momentum to send him over the side to crash into the water below.
Spinning to check on Evan, she found him with his fists up as he bounced on his toes. NO10JO was on guard beside him.
The pirate with the mop threw one end at Evan’s face, but he deflected it and threw a punch into the side of the guy’s jaw.
“Evan!” Sophia admonished.
He grimaced. “Sorry, mate. Didn’t mean to hurt you. If you put down the mop, then we can—”
The pirate swung the mop end at Evan like it was a bat. He held up his hands and jumped to the side.
“Really, Sophia?” he questioned, hopping in the opposite direction. “Just jump onto a pirate ship and don’t hurt any of the pirates. What a piece of cake.”
“Hey, I took care of the one with the sword,” she bragged, looking for a way to help Evan. Watching him bounce around, avoiding the attacks while not fighting back, was super-entertaining, though.
“Like, the worst piece of cake in the worl
d,” Evan complained, ducking as the mop flew overhead. “Like, carrot cake. Like who the hell thought ‘Let’s put carrots in cake?’ when chocolate is an option?”
The pirate seemed to be tiring. He cracked the handle of the mop over his metal knee and threw down one side, using the sharp, jagged end like a sword. With menace in his eyes, he jabbed it at Evan, who feinted in two different directions, confusing the pirate. The pirate growled and launched himself at Evan and would have got him if NO10JO hadn’t run under his legs, tripping him and sending him to the deck.
“Thanks, pup,” Evan said, proudly, brushing himself off. “You’re the best.”
He twirled his finger, and a nearby rope wrapped around the pirate and tied him up, unscathed for the most part.
Chapter Fifty-Six
“Out of the woods, we are not,” Evan commented as they heard a rush of footsteps at their back. Four more cyborg pirates appeared, all of them brandishing weapons. “Not even by a little bit.”
“Remember not to hurt them,” Sophia warned as one of the pirates held up his forearm, which had a gun attached to it. “Badly, anyway,” she added, tensing.
“What are you doing with Scallywag?” one of the pirates asked, indicating NO10JO.
“Scallywag?” Evan questioned. “That’s no name for an awesome dog.”
The pirates laughed. “That good for nothing. All he does is steal scraps and play tricks on us.”
Evan nodded proudly. “Sounds like my kind of dog. Too bad for you that you don’t appreciate him.”
The one with the gun fired a shot of green. Sophia threw up her hand, creating a shield between her, Evan, NO10JO, and the four pirates.
She gave Evan a sideways expression. “Ideas?”
“For dinner?” he asked, scratching his head. “Maybe steak? I bet the Mexican food here is pretty good.”