by Sarah Noffke
“Hiker is leading from the Gullington,” she argued, carefully watching Jude and Diabolos and hoping they didn’t flag the omission regarding the fact that what Bianca said was true. “I was referring to his boss.”
Sophia was partially bluffing. Mama Jamba almost never intervened in such things, but the House of Fourteen didn’t need to know that about Mother Nature. Hopefully, her insinuating the information would be enough to keep the regulators from signaling her bluff. They remained stoic as she held her breath.
“Mother Nature?” Hester said with a gasp. “I don’t think the House of Fourteen can take any more bad press. If we have her breathing down our necks, enforcing the Dragon Elite’s rules, it’s only going to further degrade the world’s perception of us.”
Clark nodded. “I think in light of the new information and the Dragon Elite’s role in this matter, we should strategize how we’re going to publicize the information. It needs to look like we’re working in partnership with the Dragon Elite. Making the decree to our community is overdue.”
Sophia sighed, grateful to have her brother’s support.
Many of the Councilors nodded reluctantly.
“Very well,” Raina stated, looking at Trudy. “You’ll be reassigned to police areas where magician population is most dense, enforcing curfew and lockdown measures.”
The Warrior nodded.
“Then we need to work on a press release regarding the new strategy, while not disclosing the information on Saverus Corporation,” Hester said. “We wouldn’t want Mika Lenna to know we’re onto him.”
“We will expect regular updates from you,” Haro told Sophia.
Liv stepped up next to her sister and elbowed her in the side playfully. “I think what they meant to say was ‘thanks for saving our butts.’”
Chapter Seventy-Eight
Chasing cars like they were flies, Lunis zipped overhead as Sophia neared John’s electronics repair shop, where she had an important meeting.
Are you having fun messing with mortals? Sophia asked her dragon. He was glamoured to look like a crop-duster and was zipping around, diving after cars and pulling up at the last moment. He was probably giving the drivers near heart attacks.
Of course, he responded. Messing with mortals gives my life meaning.
You really need a hobby, she said with a laugh.
I’m thinking of starting a YouTube channel, he told her seriously.
Oh?
Yeah, I can give tutorials on how to do makeup on dragons, he explained.
I feel like the audience for that is really limited, she replied, striding down the sidewalk in West Hollywood.
Well, I can always fall back on doing comedy, he mused. Now more than ever, magicians need someone to make them laugh, especially if they are going to be locked up, thanks to you exerting your rule and all.
She smiled proudly. She had enjoyed that moment way too much.
You’re not going to be using those knock-knock jokes you’ve been testing on me, are you? she asked, hopeful.
Oh, no, he disagreed. I’m working on all-new material for the YouTube channel. You’ll hear it when you do the recording.
She shook her head. No, I’m super busy for the undetermined future. You can have Evan record you when his new phone comes in that I ordered him.
Fine. Lunis spiraled in the air, coming close to the freeway. In that case, I’ll give you a sneak peek of some of the gut-busting jokes I’ve got lined up.
I can’t wait, Sophia said, already laughing.
Why did the monkey fall out of the tree? he asked.
Why?
Because he was dead.
Oh, dear. She groaned, shaking her head. A dead monkey joke? Really? I’m not sure that will go over well.
Then I maybe should throw out the skeleton joke, he mused.
How does it go?
Lunis snickered. A skeleton walks into a bar and says, “I’d like some rotmeth and a mop.”
Wow, your jokes have really taken a dark turn, she told him.
I’ve never had rotmeth, but I hear it’s bone-melting good, Lunis joked.
Sophia was about to demand he stop when a package dropped at her feet. It fell from the sky and landed in front of her boots.
Unflinching, she paused and regarded the small brown box. She recognized the packaging. Anyone on the globe would. It was from River Company, the biggest distributor of retail goods in the world. One could order pretty much anything from River, and Sophia had a self-proclaimed addiction to buying things from the company. It was hard not to with one-day shipping and so many buying options.
She glanced up, wondering if the package had fallen off a rooftop, but there weren’t any close buildings on this part of the street, just parking lots.
“That’s weird,” she muttered to herself.
What’s weirder is that it’s addressed to you, Lunis said, his hawk-like eyes reading the label from overhead.
Sophia jerked her head down, looking at the front of the box. He was right. In the To line it said:
To Sophia Beaufont
Melrose Avenue, West Hollywood, CA
She scratched her head. How did River know I’d be here right now?
They know everything, he teased.
That was probably true just by dissecting her buying habits. Cautiously, she picked up the box and noticed it was heavy for its size.
Should I open it? she asked her dragon.
Absolutely, he responded. Then ask me if I’m a tree.
Sophia shook her head and began to open the box. Are you a tree?
No, he answered. That’s just ridiculous. I’m a freaking dragon.
Wow, the jokes just keep getting worse. She pulled out a mini Tardis from the show Doctor Who.
Oh, I call dibs, Lunis squealed. I’ve wanted one of those for the Nest. I have a poster of the eleventh Doctor on the wall and a sonic screwdriver but definitely need the time machine.
Sophia realized the top opened. It was a cookie jar. When she pulled it back, the strange noise the Tardis made when it disappeared and transported through space and time rang out. Inside was a typed note that read:
Just calling for help.
Chapter Seventy-Nine
As soon as she could, Sophia was going to investigate the mysterious package sent by River. She didn’t need another mission, but someone wanted her help, and she would do everything she could to see what they needed and why.
However, they would have to wait. Currently, she had an appointment at the electronics repair shop.
When she entered, Trin Currante was standing beside Alicia, the magitech scientist.
She had a hesitant expression on her mostly mechanical face when she recognized Sophia.
“Did you bring it?” Trin asked her, looking her over like she might be carrying dragon’s blood in her hand.
Sophia gave her a polite smile. “Hello. Thanks for joining us.”
Trin’s mouth twitched to the side. “Sorry, my personal skills are sort of limited after having my human parts removed and replaced with magitech.”
“Perfectly understandable,” Alicia said in a comforting voice, unrolling a set of tools from a leather satchel.
“Yes,” Sophia affirmed and pulled two vials from her cloak. “I’ve got the dragon’s blood from both a good and an evil dragon, although getting it from the latter nearly cost me a finger.” She held up her hand, which was still bandaged where Blackie had bitten her. She’d left straight after, preventing the Castle from healing her.
“That should be enough.” Alicia took the vials of dragon’s blood. “I’m thinking only a drop will be necessary for making the individual antidotes.”
“Will it work?” Trin asked, her tone urgent.
“That I can’t confirm yet,” Alicia answered reluctantly. She held up a tool that sort of resembled a stethoscope. “Is it okay if I examine you?”
Trin’s electronic eye glowed brightly for a moment before she nodded, seeming to res
ign herself to the idea.
“It won’t hurt, I promise,” Alicia consoled.
Trin pursed her mouth. “I’ve had half my body cut away and replaced with magitech. I think I can handle being poked and prodded a bit.”
The scientist smiled sweetly. “Of course you can. I want to determine what was done to you. I’ll probably need to run further tests, but I don’t know what those will be yet.”
“If it gets us closer to an antidote, you can do whatever you need to,” Trin said, tension in her voice.
Sophia couldn’t even imagine going through what she had. Being abducted and changed into a cyborg. All without her consent. She didn’t know much about Mika Lenna, but he was a terrible person, and she wasn’t going to rest until he was stopped.
Alicia went to work assessing Trin. The cyborg remained stone still, unblinking.
“Very interesting,” Alicia remarked after listening to Trin’s heart or whatever she had inside of her. “Unfortunately, I’m fairly certain I will be limited in creating the antidote until I see the research on how you were made…err remade.”
Trin swallowed. “I’m working to track down the new location to the Saverus Corporation. I’ve got a few leads I need to follow.”
Sophia nodded, grateful for that bit of good news. “Okay, what do you need from me?”
“Nothing right now,” Trin answered. “When I do track down that man and his evil headquarters, I’m going to need you ready. He won’t get away this time, and he definitely won’t erase the research we need.”
“Which means we’ll have to be quick and hit him hard before he knows what happened,” Sophia replied with confidence.
Trin flashed a strange smile. “Last time, I was alone and had no idea about his exit strategy. This time, with the Dragon Elite’s help, I’m certain he won’t get away.”
Chapter Eighty
Empress, your chariot has arrived, Lunis said, pulling up along the curb outside the electronic repair shop.
Sophia laughed at her dragon. She was holding the mini Tardis. “Can I get a lift to the River Corporation?”
He nodded. To everyone on the street, it looks like you’re talking to a beat-up Volkswagen.
Sophia stepped up on the wing that Lunis offered. “Come on, you old piece of junk. Don’t let me down.”
Vroom, vroom, Lunis growled and took off as Sophia slid into the saddle on his back.
Question, Lunis said in Sophia’s head after they had slipped through a portal to Seattle, the city where the River Corporation was located.
Sophia narrowed her eyes at the cityscape, searching for the building. It supposedly took up a city block and was an architectural marvel. I’m listening, she replied, waiting for the joke she was certain was coming.
Which side of the raven has the most feathers? he asked, a snicker in his voice.
Which side?
The outside, he answered with a booming laugh, thoroughly enjoying his own joke.
Oh wow, I didn’t think they could get any worse, she said. Her focus was mostly on the city below them. The cool breeze drifting across Puget Sound carried a hint of salt.
It’s really sad that after all this time you have such a poor grasp of the English language, Lunis corrected. Worse means bad. You meant to say my jokes are getting better.
Sophia shook her head. Yeah, no. I meant worse.
Okay, well, the pristine waters of the Puget Sound inspired this one, Lunis began. Imagine your boat is sinking in water filled with hungry flesh-eating fish. How do you survive?
Sighing as she spotted the River headquarters, Sophia steered her dragon in that direction. How?
Stop imagining, he told her with another booming laugh.
I’m speechless, Sophia said dryly, holding back a laugh. She was the George Burns in this act, and her dragon was, ironically, Gracie Allen. That was perfect because Sophia had mastered her deadpan expression, which she gave Lunis as he went in for a landing on the road next to the strange headquarters.
The River Corporation wasn’t what Sophia was expecting. It didn’t look like a stuffy rectangle building like many of the other offices they’d passed. It was a work of art, and she understood why it was considered an architectural marvel.
The main building was three connected spheres, all covered in glass panes. The sunlight reflected off the structure and made it appear like it was glowing. Behind the large balls was a set of warehouses where Sophia guessed the stock was kept and orders were fulfilled.
Okay, last one, Lunis teased, familiar mischief in his tone.
Sophia was planning on just jumping off her dragon and sprinting for the building to escape hearing another bad joke, but there was no escape since he was in her head. Still, playing the joke on him, she pulled her leg off to the side like she was going to make a break for it.
Oh, no, you don’t, he scolded. You wait until this vehicle comes to a complete stop and I have the parking brake on.
Sophia giggled at this. Okay, go ahead. One last bad joke before I go and investigate the mysterious note and package dropped at my feet.
While you’re in there, see if they can hook you up with a dictionary, Lunis offered. Again you don’t know how to use words. My jokes are awesome and totally getting me a ton of followers on YouTube.
You’re dreaming, Sophia disagreed.
Okay, here you go, Lunis began. What has three heads and is ugly and smells?
What? Sophia replied, sliding down the side of her dragon and coming around the front. She glanced up at him with a wry expression.
Oh, shoot, my mistake. You don’t have three heads.
She shook her head. Really? Now you’ve resorted to insults, calling me ugly.
Well, I’m sure Wilder thinks you’re all right to look at, but by dragon standards, you’re a bit puny, Lunis stated. Oh, and you have that weird stuff on your head.
Hair, she provided.
Yeah, that stuff. You don’t have a single scale or a tail. Humans are so boring.
She batted her eyelashes at him. Here I thought you had a tiny crush on me.
He shook his head. Sorry, but you’re not my type. I mean, you can’t even shoot fire out of your mouth. How have humans lasted so long?
She tapped the side of her head. We’ve got the brains, and you’ve got the brawn.
He winked at her. That is a good partnership, I guess.
Sophia waved at her dragon as she headed into the building. I’ll catch you on the flipside.
Remember to get a dictionary, he called after her with a laugh.
Chapter Eighty-One
The gold floor inside the lobby of the River Corporation was nearly blinding when the sun streaked through the glass dome overhead.
The inside of the building was even more spectacular than the outside, which was saying a lot. The prisms created by the sunlight shining through the glass made rainbows everywhere. Sophia found herself momentarily awed as she stared around and took in the large space.
“Welcome to River Corporation,” a robotic voice said, grabbing her attention.
Sophia hadn’t even heard the thing approach and was temporarily speechless as she regarded the robot. It wasn’t like the cyborgs who were still composed of skin, bones, and other things that made them partially human. The figure before her was a robot with an all-metal form and glowing blue eyes. It was obvious the robot was incredibly advanced based on its polished appearance and very human-like mannerisms. Sophia guessed magitech was employed in its creation.
“Hi,” Sophia squeaked.
“How may I help you?” the robot asked.
Sophia cleared her throat. “I’m with the Dragon Elite and would like to see the CEO of River.”
Without question, the robot pivoted and marched in the opposite direction. “Follow me, Dragonrider.”
Although Sophia knew the name Dragon Elite gave her high-level clearance, she was still surprised to have access to the CEO of this major corporation so easily. She followed the rob
ot across the lobby.
The space appeared to be empty, with no reception area or doors to offices. She had no idea where he would lead her. The other two bubble buildings were connected to this one, and they appeared just as empty.
Sophia was surprised when the robot halted suddenly and held up his hand, which suddenly glowed brightly. A wall appeared out of nowhere, flashing blue lights as it materialized. The robot touched the wall, proving it was real. A seam to a door appeared before it slipped into recesses and revealed a room on the other side.
Unlike the open atrium at Sophia’s back, the room ahead looked like a normal office. Well, normal to a degree. It had every detail paid to technology as well as artistic design with digital paintings lining the walls and a stainless-steel floor and walls.
There was only a single desk in the center of the oversized office. To Sophia’s surprise, there wasn’t anything on the desk. Much like a robot, a woman in a smart suit sat behind the desk, her hands casually resting in her lap. She was staring straight ahead as if lost in a daze.
“Miss Jen Hendricks, you have a visitor,” the robot stated matter-of-factly. “A rider with the Dragon Elite requests an audience with you.”
The woman lifted her hand to her face and pulled off something. Only once it was from her face, did Sophia realize it was a pair of virtual reality glasses. They had been invisible before, like the office where they stood.
“Well, hello.” Jen greeted her, smiling politely as she stood from the desk and offered Sophia her hand.
“Hi. Thanks for seeing me on short notice. I’m Sophia Beaufont.”
Jen nodded. “I’m well acquainted with the Dragon Elite and their mission as world adjudicators. I would be ill-advised not to grant you an audience.”
Sophia looked around, wondering what was so strange about the office, besides the fact the walls had been invisible. “I do appreciate it.”
“You’re wondering where the other people are, aren’t you?” Jen asked.