by Sarah Noffke
“Lag?” Clark didn’t follow her casual jargon. Sophia almost laughed while thinking of Lunis trying to use his hip lingo on her brother.
“Yeah, the history of what happened to the rest of the demon dragonriders after Thad Reinhart hasn’t been recorded, not in its entirety,” Sophia explained. “I’m not sure why I’m looking for the information, but I thought it could be helpful. I have this sick feeling that we, the Dragon Elite and Rogue Riders nearly killed each other to extinction. If that’s the case, then we’re quickly heading back down that same path, and I have to turn us around before it’s too late.”
Clark’s gaze slid to the side with an uncertain expression on his face. “You don’t know that part of history?”
Sophia blinked at him, not expecting the question. “No. Not even Hiker knows because the Dragon Elite were stuck inside the Gullington after the Great War when mortals couldn’t see magic anymore. We know that some demon dragonriders left after Thad Reinhart went into hiding too, but when things went back to normal, almost all of them had disappeared. I want to figure out what happened.” A thought occurred to her that made her mouth pop open with shock. “Oh, could the demon dragonriders have gone after each other? I know that Thad used some for experiments when trying to fix his dragon, Ember. That doesn’t account for all the rest. There would have been a lot—at least a dozen or so.”
“Thad Reinhart didn’t have much respect for his own,” Clark said through a long, heavy breath. “However, he’s not what nearly brought the demon dragonriders and dragonriders in general to extinction.” He gave her a grave expression, reluctance heavy on his face. “It was the House of Seven.”
Chapter Eight
Speechless. Sophia felt like he’d punched her in the throat. She’d expected to learn the many horrible things her own had done to each other, nearly sending the dragonriders into extinction. What she hadn’t expected was for the betrayal to come from the House—also one of her own.
Sophia found a chair nearby, suddenly feeling lightheaded, and sat in the sturdy straight-back. She hadn’t remembered seeing the chair there a moment before but was grateful for its sudden appearance and the fact that it supported her when she felt sick to her stomach from the spinning library and news from Clark.
“Tell me what happened,” Sophia urged when she’d collected herself.
Clark nodded, taking a seat opposite of Sophia’s that also wasn’t there moments prior. He was still pale and appeared as uneasy as her. “It’s a dark part of history. Well, darker. We as magicians don’t have a lot of positives in the last few hundred years. Not until Liv came to the House did things start to turn around, and now we’re not writing such a bleak history anymore.”
Sophia smiled, swallowed, and enjoyed the first piece of good news so far. “I’m grateful for that. It only takes one to change things.”
“Unfortunately, that’s true on both sides,” Clark stated darkly. “It was the one known as the God Magician who was responsible for slaughtering many of the remaining demon dragonriders.”
“Talon Sinclair,” Sophia gasped, remembering when Liv and the others had to battle the oldest remaining magician who had done so much to take over the House and tried to extinguish mortals. Apparently, he’d tried to get rid of the dragonriders too.
“That’s right,” Clark affirmed. “From what I learned from the Forgotten Archives, which aren’t complete but rather pockets of our history, the dragonriders were divided. It’s good to note that when a race is separated like that, either by choice or force or by views, it’s easy to break them up further and get rid of them.”
The revulsion rose higher in Sophia’s throat. She knew her brother was right. Worse, the dragonriders were headed back in that direction, having been divided by interests. The Dragon Elite wanted peace and justice, and the Rogue Riders wanted to capitalize off crime and gain by taking that which didn’t belong to them. It seemed like such a distant possibility that the two organizations could come together, but would they end each other if they didn’t?
Maybe sensing that Sophia was struggling with this new information, Clark paused. After a moment he continued, his tone careful, “With the dragonriders divided, the Dragon Elite hiding away, and the Rogue Riders pretty much ineffective without a leader, the remaining demon dragonriders were scattered. Talon Sinclair lured them to an empty field and had the Warriors for the House take them out. I don’t think the dragonriders saw it coming, and with their magic disabled, they were at several disadvantages.”
Sophia gasped, thinking of how disoriented those dragonriders would have been. “As dragonriders, we think we’re the strongest out there. But it’s that assumption that can put us in real danger. No one should ever convince themselves they’re invincible because that’s when someone can strike a lethal blow.”
Clark nodded. “That’s very true. I’m glad you recognize it. Usually, the strongest are taken down by a sideways blow they never saw coming. Remember that you’re only as strong as your perception is clear. If it gets muddied, then you’ll be vulnerable to all sorts of attacks.”
“So Talon Sinclair murdered the remaining demon dragonriders,” Sophia stated, her eyes looking without seeing.
“Most of them,” Clark answered. “Not all came when he called, but yes, I think we can credit him with taking out a vast majority of them.”
“Why?” Sophia asked. “Besides the obvious that he was after power and control, and the dragonriders outrank everyone else.”
“There’s that. It will continue to be an uphill battle for you, as you already know from dealing with the Council. However, the problems long ago are still part of the current ones. Chiefly, I think Talon Sinclair firmly believed that erasing mortals from seeing magic and taking out dragonriders created a better world. Like many presently, he didn’t think anything good could come from demon dragonriders. That’s the hardest perception you’ll have to change. The Rogue Riders aren’t doing the Dragon Elite any favors.”
Sophia nodded. “I agree they’re out of control. Under their current leadership, there are many problems. I can’t believe that all demon dragonriders are bad. Thad Reinhart did a lot of amazing things. They’re talented. I think they have to be controlled.”
“Who is going to do that?” Clark asked, an edge to his voice. He was in Councilor mode all of a sudden. Still, he only echoed the tone she’d soon face from the Council for the House of Fourteen and Sophia was grateful for the chance to practice.
“The Dragon Elite,” Sophia stated with confidence. “We’re going to control the new dragonriders, and we’re going to keep history from repeating itself.”
“I hope you’re right, Soph, because there are a lot of magicians who don’t want you all ruling this planet.” Clark shook his head, regret on his face. “The dragonriders have more enemies than ever before. I dare say, there are many who don’t want the dragonriders on this planet at all.”
Chapter Nine
Sophia knew that Clark was only trying to help, preparing her for what she’d meet when she faced the Council. However, after learning that it was the House of Fourteen, then the House of Seven, that had taken out many of the old generation of dragonriders, it was difficult not to be overly sensitive about all the matters.
She knew she couldn’t blame anyone on the current Council for what happened to the demon dragonriders, but that didn’t make the news any easier to digest. It felt like such a personal betrayal, her magicians’ race taking out her society—the dragonriders.
Acutely, Sophia felt the raw emotion and vengeance Liv had expressed when she learned that the House of Seven was responsible for mortals not seeing magic and going to great lengths to bury the secrets. One of those was murdering Guinevere and Theodore Beaufont and their children, Ian and Reese.
That had been personal, no doubt, but the Sinclairs who were responsible for that were gone, and with it, mortals could see magic once more. However, Sophia wasn’t convinced that the same Council that had murdered d
ragonriders all those centuries ago was much different than the current one. Something told her that if the majority had their way, they’d dispose of dragonriders again.
There were too many variables with the dragonriders that people didn’t understand and therefore feared. She had to change all that. The Dragon Elite was already working on it. Still, it wasn’t only about perception, and she instinctively knew that. Something had to change with dragonriders in general, or history would repeat itself. Sophia didn’t know what though.
The vibe in the Chamber of the Tree did little to relieve her tension when she stepped through the Door of Reflection. Anger flared in her chest at the sight of the Council, although again she knew these weren’t the people responsible for slaughtering the demon dragonriders.
It’s the institution you despise, Lunis offered in her head, having learned everything that she had.
Did you know about what happened to the demon dragonriders? Sophia asked, realizing that the events could have been locked away in the dragons’ shared consciousness.
If I did, I would have told you, he stated with remorse. Those were my ancestors, and the information hasn’t come easily. Talon Sinclair must have done something to block it.
Sophia strode through the domed room and took her place in front of the Council, intending to make her presence known rather than waiting to be called from the back. There were only a few Warriors present, Liv being one of them. Beside her were Trudy DeVries and Stefan Ludwig, Liv’s husband.
Talon Sinclair was a very powerful magician, Sophia related to Lunis, the chatter between the council and Stefan mostly on mute in her head. If anyone could have blocked the memory from the dragons, it would have been him.
You’re right that the dragonriders have to change, Lunis observed, having followed her thoughts. I don’t know what has to happen there either, but the current structure isn’t working, and we’re heading for more doom and extinction at this point.
You think the institution of the House of Fourteen is a problem too? Sophia asked curiously. They’ve adapted the structure. Now mortals sit on the Council and vote on issues, as well as other magical races.
It’s more balanced than it used to be, but I think there’s still corruption at its core, Lunis stated.
Can that ever be fixed entirely? Sophia wondered.
I want to believe that it can, Lunis answered. It’s about who’s in power. There are those who lead because they want to make the world better. Because they want to protect justice.
Like Hiker with the Dragon Elite, Sophia offered.
Yes, Lunis affirmed. Then there are those who lead because they want to gain personally and they’re motivated by fear and their selfish desires.
Sounds like a lot of people I know. Sophia glared up at the Council, her eyes on Lorenzo Rosario, who she knew had betrayed the Dragon Elite already when Nevin Gooseman was in power politically. He was motivated by fear and the idea that power could be lost if not hoarded, and threatening entities like the dragonriders cut it down a notch or two.
Then there were Bianca Montavani and Marty Martinez. Sophia didn’t know if they were inherently out for selfish gains or motivated by fear. Bianca had no doubt been a pawn in the Sinclairs’ vie for power. Maybe she wasn’t totally evil, but those on the Council were supposed to be individual thinkers who voted based on their knowledge and expertise. If anyone voted based on pressure, then Lunis was right, and the institution was corrupt.
It appeared that Sophia had more to figure out than how the dragonriders needed to change to create balance. It sounded like the other very powerful organization of the House of Fourteen had to change.
“I don’t see why you can’t assign the case to me!” Stefan’s voice flared, pulling Sophia from her thoughts on how to fix the broken world and all its broken parts. She shoved it all to the side for the moment, deciding it wouldn’t be an easy fix or one that she could discover right then when about to meet with the Council.
Lorenzo Rosario leaned forward, looking down his crooked nose at the Warrior in all black. Stefan wore a long traveling cloak that matched his jet black hair and the mud that splattered his boots could also be found under his fingertips when he wasn’t gripping his fists.
“I don’t believe your opinion on how the Council assigns cases is relevant,” Lorenzo stated, authority in his tone. “You have your cases hunting demons. Ms. Beaufont has hers.”
“Mrs. Beaufont,” Stefan corrected through clenched teeth.
“I prefer to go by Mrs. Warrior Beaufont-Ludwig because it’s a real mouthful,” Liv joked, obviously trying to break up the tension building between the Councilor and her husband.
“She returned from a mission this morning,” Stefan argued. “Neither Trudy nor I have had a case in days.”
“That’s the nature of how the cases came in,” Haro stated matter-of-factly. “We’ve had some demon cases come to our attention.”
“Fine, I’ll take that one,” Stefan said at once, determination in his voice. “Give the squabble between the giants and the gnomes to Trudy.”
Lorenzo narrowed his eyes at Stefan. “Liv is better at negotiating with the giants, and we all know that. Whereas Ms. DeVries has her strengths, they aren’t in the area of dispute resolution.”
“The only way to resolve this ongoing quarrel will be with bloodshed, and we all know that!” Stefan exclaimed as his face flushed red.
Sophia had never seen him like this. Based on the annoyed expression on Liv’s face, she had and wasn’t in the mood to put up with it.
“It’s fine, Stef,” Liv encouraged, her tone full of irritation. Sophia couldn’t decide if she was annoyed at her husband or the case she was being assigned. Something told her it was a little bit of everything. Liv didn’t seem like her usually chipper self, but if she had returned from a case that morning, she could be exhausted on many levels.
“It’s not fine, Liv,” Stefan said urgently, not taking his eyes off Lorenzo. “She only returned this morning from dealing with those goblins that had taken over that mall in Alabama.”
“It wasn’t as much a mall as it was a series of stores that looked like they’d been thrown up on by an Abercrombie and Fitch and Cinnabon,” Liv joked.
“She nearly lost a finger from a goblin trying to bite her,” Clark stated to Lorenzo, obviously in favor that Liv deserved a break.
Liv held up her middle finger and flexed it at Lorenzo, essentially flipping him off. “But I didn’t. Still works. See?”
Lorenzo rolled his eyes.
The Councilors beside him scoffed.
“Oh, really, do you have no dignity?” Bianca asked rhetorically. “A Warrior should never show such disrespect to the Council.”
Liv directed her middle finger at Bianca. “I’m simply showing you all that the little goblin didn’t get the best of me. Don’t you care, B?”
She scowled at Liv, her expression hot with anger.
“As I was saying,” Stefan cut in, “you don’t have a case for Trudy, but you’re already sending Liv out again.”
“That is not your concern,” Lorenzo stated. “Ms. Beaufont showed up for this meeting. She shouldn’t have done that unless she was prepared to be assigned a case.”
“In truth,” Hester DeVries began. “It was so she could give her report on the goblin incident.”
“Clark and I carpool, and today was his turn to buy donuts,” Liv added playfully. “I didn’t want to miss that. He made us go to this organic donut shop that serves only vegan fare. We spent his hard-earned money on an eight dollar donut. I’m going to tell you, watching him shell out the money for a donut I nibbled on and refused to eat was worth coming in today to see all your chipper faces. Especially when I could have used the morning to sleep in after having to peel a goblin from the ceiling of a Macy’s department store.”
“Oh, really, the Council doesn’t need you derailing this with breakfast stories,” Bianca complained and shook her head, her hair tightly pulled back
into a bun that slanted her eyes.
Sophia realized she probably should have taken this opportunity to exert authority and interrupt, demanding the Council give her audience, but the things going on were too interesting to her, and it seemed many others in the Chamber of the Tree. Hester and Raina appeared entertained by Liv’s breakfast story. Clark was irritated, as usual. The rest of the council seemed ambivalent, everyone but Lorenzo.
“The point remains that we need a Warrior to intervene in the giant and gnome situation,” Lorenzo stated. “Liv is the best option. The Council has made its decision.”
Based on the sour expressions on Hester’s, Raina’s, and Clark’s faces, Sophia guessed they hadn’t voted for Liv to take the case.
“Ms. DeVries will remain on call for the next available case that comes up,” Haro added, sorting through his files.
“This is ridiculous,” Stefan nearly shouted again. “We all know that the giants and gnomes are on the verge of war.”
“Not if a Warrior for the House of Fourteen does something about it,” Marty Martinez said in a shrewish voice.
Lorenzo nodded. “That’s right. These clans can find peace if offered a solution.”
“They will battle first,” Stefan argued.
“Stef,” Liv said from the corner of her mouth. “I’ve got this. Don’t worry.”
“Fat chance of that,” he fired back, still not taking his eyes off the Council.
“You two have been assigned cases,” Bianca stated smugly from the bench. “You are dismissed.”
Neither Warrior moved as Lorenzo directed his attention to Sophia. “Now it’s time that we discuss the dragonriders and the global crisis that they’ve single-handedly created.”
Chapter Ten
“I’m not sure that expression works there,” Liv interjected. “You see, dragonriders would have two hands. Then I think their dragons have, like, four. So, I don’t see how the plural of dragonriders can singlehandedly do something. Maybe solely is a better word.”