by Sarah Noffke
When Stefan leaned in and kissed Liv upon the lips, all guests of the wedding were silent. Sometimes things that don’t use spells hold the most magic and are incredibly mesmerizing.
Chapter Seventy-Three
“I’m only me when I’m with you,” Evan said, patting NO10JO’s head.
“Don’t let Coral hear you say that,” Sophia warned.
Evan pressed his face into the dog’s, letting him lick his face. “She gets it, or she will. I mean, I love Coral like no other, but she’s also very disapproving of me. A dog accepts you no matter what, and there’s something beautiful about that.”
“There’s something about a dragon pushing us to be better, too,” Sophia reasoned. “I mean, they don’t put up with our shit, whereas a dog would let us coast if we wanted to.”
Evan thought this over, a ball in his hand he was about to throw for NO10JO. “I guess we need both. Someone to accept us unconditionally and someone to push us.”
Sophia realized he was right and was grateful that between the mix of her friends and family, she had that. They’d had more good news since she’d returned from the wedding. One of the dragon eggs had hatched, and although it was hard to tell, it appeared this one wasn’t evil.
Sophia reasoned that since it was avoiding the evil dragon babies and not gnawing on Bell’s tail, it was probably good, but she would continue to monitor. Still, it seemed they were closer to helping the cyborgs, which was important to her.
Mika Lenna had robbed the cyborgs of their lives, and she was bent on giving them back. She had to put a stop to the evil corporation that was abducting magicians. Sophia was hopeful it would happen as long as she stayed focused, remembered her purpose, and enlisted the help of her friends. She had the best friends in the world.
“Watch this,” Evan boasted, pulling his arm back as NO10JO took off running across the Expanse.
When he threw the ball, the dog disappeared and then reappeared a few feet from where the ball was going to land, catching it in his mouth.
“That’s very impressive.” Sophia admired the cyborg dog as he ran back in their direction, excitement in both his blue and brown eyes.
“Yeah, but he can only teleport a few feet at a time,” Evan said before the dog was close.
“Still, I don’t know of any dogs that can do that,” she pointed out.
“Or this.” He took the ball from the dog and launched it across the Expanse again. The dog took off, then disappeared and reappeared, this time as a metal trashcan that caught the ball like it was a hoop. Then NO10JO shapeshifted into his normal form, the ball in his mouth as he bounded in their direction.
Sophia laughed, happy her friend had a new companion. Evan needed it. She had Wilder. Liv had Stefan. Rory had Maddy. Papa Creola had Mama Jamba. Rudolf had Serena. Mahkah had his solitude, which he seemed to love. Quiet had the Gullington. Ainsley and Hiker would hopefully one day find something.
At least the people she loved were starting to find love. That’s what it was all about. It reminded her why when she awoke in the morning, her first mission would be to help the cyborgs. They, who had been through so much, deserved to have love.
Really, Sophia pondered as Evan continued to throw the ball for his new dog, everyone deserved to find love. That was the ultimate mission of the Dragon Elite. Justice was about fighting for love, after all.
Chapter Seventy-Four
Life on Earth was about to change drastically.
It always started with small things that later became huge events. It was how life worked, like the planting of a seed that would grow into a towering tree with far-reaching roots, and branches casting many shadows below.
In this case, the events about to unfold were started by an unsuspecting dragonrider who had no idea of the events she was putting into motion.
The ground where the seeds created by Mother Nature had been planted began to bubble like a potion in a cauldron. The residents of New York City bustling down Cornelia Street had no idea the landscape around them was about to change radically.
The once-bare scrap of earth vibrated as something tried to break through the surface of the rocky dirt. A tiny seedling broke through the topsoil as taxis sped down the road and a dog on a leash barked at a police horse.
“Frenchy!” a woman holding the leash of a full-sized poodle yelled. “Stop barking at the horses!” She turned to her companion. “I swear, after shelling out big bucks on training, this dog still doesn’t do a thing I say.”
The man nodded and pointed to the sad patch of earth where a twig-like tree used to grow. “Just have Frenchy do her business. I’ve got a meeting soon.”
The couple paused next to the place the poodle preferred most days. The dog sniffed the ground as a tiny green leaf wiggled through the dirt.
Frenchy jumped back in alarm and began barking at the seemingly harmless seedling.
The woman sighed. “Seriously, Frenchy? Would you be quiet?”
The dog declined the request and continued to bark at the patch of earth, her long tail wagging madly.
“Did you feel that?” the man asked, putting a hand on the woman’s shoulder.
“Feel what?” she questioned, pulling her attention off the disobedient dog as she yanked on the leash.
“I think we’re having an earthquake,” he responded and looked down at the ground, which was shaking under their feet.
Many passersby on the sidewalk took notice of the vibrating pavement, not realizing the epicenter was the patch of dirt. They began to flee when the pavement around the dirt buckled.
The policeman on the horse tried to corral people into safer places, although the horse was showing signs of stress and whinnying.
The ground continued to tremble as the little leaf sprouted up from the dirt, wriggling as it tried to unfold.
“Let’s get out of here,” the man called to the woman, who was struggling to get the poodle away from the square of dirt.
“Come on, you bad dog,” the woman exclaimed. She yanked hard on the leash, fear showing in her every movement.
“Here.” The man grabbed the leash and pulled hard, encouraging Frenchy to leave as the ground began to split in front of them.
They ran in the opposite direction, having to drag the dog away. They fled just in time because a moment later, the innocent little leaf spread out and was immediately followed by a huge beanstalk. It shot into the air, tearing through the pavement as it soared into the sky. It rose past the multi-story buildings and continued to grow.
As the beanstalk rose towards the clouds, its base grew until it was as big around as a sedan. The asphalt around it exploded, causing Cornelia Street to split and buckle and throwing taxis upside down or on their sides.
Pandemonium broke out as underground water mains burst, sending huge streams of water into the air. Sparks flew as powerlines were severed by the huge root system snaking under the ground.
Sirens blared as first responders sped in the direction of the beanstalk, which stopped growing once it rose up past the clouds. Having quickly cleared the area, the police officer on the horse looked up when the street was suddenly cast in darkness as a huge canopy unfolded from the top of the beanstalk. Cornelia Street was instantly cooler.
Fire, water, and destruction were the result of the plant soaring up between the buildings on the street. What was uncertain was where the strange beanstalk had come from or what was at the top.
Having regained control of his horse, the police officer squinted up at the massive plant. A chill ran down his back as he shook his head. “God save us all.”
Chapter Seventy-Five
“Just say yes, Ainsley,” Evan begged, throwing his arm in the direction of his cyborg dog whimpering just outside the dining hall in the Castle at the Gullington.
“No!” she exclaimed, her arms crossed defiantly.
“He won’t hurt anything,” Evan argued, looking to Sophia for help.
She was staying out of this. From experience
, Sophia knew to argue with the housekeeper only resulted in trouble. She’d wake up to find her bedsheets soaked as the shapeshifter sped out of her room in the form of a hunchback carrying an empty bucket.
“I refuse to have that mutt in the dining hall,” Ainsley insisted. “I might have lost the battle about him being in the Castle, but this and the kitchen are my domain, and I’m putting my foot down. No dogs in the eating area.”
“Look at him,” Evan whined, indicating the dog who had his head low, his blue and brown eyes begging.
“No. This isn’t even a discussion.” Ainsley shook her head. “I won’t have a mangy dog begging at the table for scraps.”
“He isn’t mangy,” Evan said, sounding hurt. “He doesn’t even shed since he’s mostly metal. NO10JO is probably cleaner than me.”
“He’s no doubt cleaner than you,” Sophia remarked dryly, wondering where the usual breakfast fare was.
Evan cut his eyes at her before looking back at the housekeeper. “He doesn’t beg. I promise. He’s the most well-behaved dog, and he saved my life and is all around awesome.”
Ainsley pivoted and narrowed her eyes at the cyborg animal. “I’m still bitter about the whole saving-your-life part.” She wagged a finger at NO10JO. “You should keep that metal nose to yourself and not butt in when fate is trying to take this one out.”
Evan laughed. “You know you’d miss me if I was gone.”
“Sure I would, Ethan,” she said over her shoulder as she hurried toward the kitchen.
Sophia gave him a commiserating expression. Evan and NO10JO had bonded immediately, and their friendship was sweet to see. Coral didn’t seem to think so, but Sophia was sure the dragon would warm to the idea once she got over her jealousy. Dragons, as much as they pretended to be unemotional beings, were quite sensitive. Lunis had proven that when she’d left him behind for a few missions he couldn’t attend or spent her free time with Wilder instead of him.
“I’m sorry, Buddy,” Evan said, waving at the dog lying on the other side of the threshold to the dining room. He whimpered again and lay his head down on his paws.
Mama Jamba, who was doing a crossword puzzle as she walked, didn’t look up as she stepped over the cyborg animal into the dining hall. She lifted her chin when she was almost to the table and sniffed. “Oh, no.”
“Oh, what?” Evan tilted his head to the side.
“Ainsley is up to something,” she declared and took her usual seat.
“When is she not?” Evan asked, sitting back and slouching in his chair.
“Sit up straight,” Mama Jamba ordered. “You look like a gnome when you slouch.”
Quiet entered on the heels of that statement. He glanced up at the old woman with too much hairspray on her curls. His eyes narrowed, and he muttered something Sophia couldn’t make out.
Ainsley burst through the swinging door to the kitchen, carrying a covered dish. “I agree, Quiet. He’d make an awful gnome.”
Evan gasped. “I would not. I’d make a fine short guy, not that I know what that would be like.” He sat up straighter.
Ainsley laid the dish on the table with her usual mischievous expression.
“I hope you also made pancakes?” Mama Jamba inquired, laying her crossword puzzle down on the table.
“Just enough for you, Mama Jamba,” she answered.
“Good,” Mother Nature stated with relief.
Evan sat forward and sniffed. “Wait, what do the rest of us have to look forward to? I was really hoping for eggs and bacon.”
Ainsley shook her head. “Not today.”
“Tatties and ham, then?” Evan asked, a hopeful expression on his face.
“Oh, no,” Ainsley said proudly. “No breakfast foods today.”
“But it’s breakfast,” Evan complained, sulking.
“Well, you know how you can have breakfast for dinner?” Ainsley reached out and grabbed the lid to the covered dish.
“Yes…” Evan said, drawing out the word.
“Well, I thought we should have dinner for breakfast,” Ainsley declared and yanked the lid up and off, revealing a huge mound of spaghetti and meatballs swimming in marinara.
Evan groaned. Even Sophia slumped with defeat.
“It isn’t really something you reverse, dear,” Mama Jamba told her and pointed to the kitchen. “I’ll take those pancakes now, though.”
Ainsley, undeterred by the criticism, buzzed in the direction of the kitchen.
“I’ll take pancakes too,” Evan called behind her.
The elf shook her head. “There are only enough for Mama Jamba.”
Evan sighed. “I can’t eat pasta and red sauce for breakfast. That’s too rich.”
Sophia pursed her lips. “Yet, you can eat your weight in buttery croissants?”
“That’s different,” he argued. “Those are light and flakey and meant to be served in the morning. Meatballs are for dinner, to be enjoyed with a glass or two of wine.”
“If we’re talking about you, then you mean whisky,” Ainsley corrected, returning with Mama Jamba’s short stack of pancakes. “It’s never a glass or two, either.”
He shook his head at her. “I have a stressful job.”
“Doing what?” she asked. “Riding around on an oversized lizard and showing off for mortal girls who think that big ax of yours means you have—”
“Big brains,” Mama Jamba interrupted, pouring syrup on the pancakes. “All my riders are intelligent, as well as having strict moral constitutions.”
“So, what went wrong with this one?” Ainsley pointed at Evan.
He scoffed at the housekeeper. “Mama Jamba says I’m smart.”
“All mothers think their children are little geniuses,” Ainsley argued.
Mother Nature took a bite of the pancakes, taking a moment to relish the goodness. “Oh, I don’t know. I’ve got some pretty big dummies out there. I mean, the fae aren’t the brightest bulbs, but they are pretty, and that counts for something. The Dragon Elite, though…you all are the cream of the crop.”
Evan flashed Ainsley a wide grin. “See there? I’m the cream of the crop, and I need eggs and bacon to keep up my strength.”
She stuck her nose in the air. “Then come back for dinner. Guess what we’re having?”
“Breakfast.” He groaned and watched as Quiet dug into the spaghetti and meatballs, not at all put off by the menu item offered for breakfast.
“You aren’t as dumb as I previously thought,” Ainsley said, surprised.
Evan rolled his eyes as Hiker stormed into the dining hall, giving NO10JO no notice as he passed. “Sir! Will you tell Ainsley to stop being…well, her typical self?”
Hiker dismissed the request at once and threw a newspaper down beside Mama Jamba, fury written on his face. “You’re behind this, aren’t you?”
The headline on the front of the newspaper read, Giant Bean Stalk Destroys Part of New York City.
Mama Jamba calmly wiped the corners of her mouth and eyed the newspaper. “You know I can’t read that without my glasses.”
He pointed to the crossword puzzle she’d been working on. “I suppose you don’t need your nonexistent reading glasses to do that?”
“I suppose,” she agreed, returning to her pancakes.
“I now have the city of New York bickering with the Rain Forest Health Federation, saying they are behind the stunt,” Hiker told her angrily. “Resolving this adjudication mission won’t be easy since I suspect you were the one behind it.”
“That’s a mighty big assumption, son,” Mama Jamba said, unflustered as the Viking towered over her, vibrating with anger.
“This has your name written all over it, Mama,” Hiker stated. “The question I have is, what are you up to?”
Sophia picked up the newspaper and scanned the article. Her eyes widened when she read about the location.
The beanstalk sprouted up from a bare patch of dirt on much-loved Cornelia Street.
Her eyes flickered to Mam
a Jamba, who smiled at her. “Why, yes, it is the result of the magic beans I had you plant, Sophia.”
“You what?” Hiker boomed. “You had…” He looked at Sophia and then Mama Jamba. “What’s going on here?”
Mama Jamba pushed away from the table, sighing softly. “I simply asked our little Sophia to plant the magic beans in New York City. As I suspected, she found the right plot of land, and they’ve taken off.”
“They’ve taken out an entire city block!” Hiker exclaimed. “What are you up to, woman?”
She shrugged. “I thought it would spruce up the city a bit.”
He shook his head and then looked at the spaghetti and meatballs. Anger grew on his face, probably at the realization he’d have to deal with the housekeeper in a moment. “What’s at the top of the beanstalk, Mama?”
She smiled sweetly and watched Quiet finish his first plate of food before returning her gaze to Hiker. “Why does something have to be at the top of it, son?”
“Because I know you’re up to something,” he answered hotly.
Mama Jamba glanced at her wrist like there was a watch on it. There wasn’t. “Actually, nothing is up there yet. The beanstalk has just now risen. Soon the right…or rather, the wrong person will find it.”
Hiker huffed. “I’ll have it chopped down before then.”
She shook her head. “You’ll do no such thing. It’s part of my beautification project for the city of New York.”
“Just tell me what you’re up to,” Hiker demanded.
Sophia decided this was the perfect time to sneak out of the dining hall, especially since breakfast was a lost cause. Also, she had an appointment at the House of Fourteen she needed to get to. She slipped out of her seat and headed for the exit. NO10JO looked up hopefully as she approached.
“You know I can’t do that, son,” Mama Jamba answered.