Adapt Or Be Crushed (The Exceptional S. Beaufont Book 9)

by Sarah Noffke

  “I did,” he replied absentmindedly.

  She pointed at the small metal box. “Is that the way to remove the mark on my soul?”

  “War is over, if you want it,” Subner stated in the words of John Lennon.

  She ignored him. “Papa?”

  He glanced up as if realizing she was there, or maybe had forgotten. “This? Oh, no. This is… Well, I can’t tell you.”

  “That’s typical. Secrets.”

  “Not a secret,” he countered. “I simply haven’t figured it out yet.”

  Subner began to sway. “Your mind is like a parachute, it doesn’t work unless it’s open.”

  “Is there a way to turn him off?” Sophia pointed at the owner of the Fantastical Armory.

  Papa Creola shook his head. “No, but this pains him. He’s worse than usual today. Probably all the drugs.”

  “He could try not doing them,” she offered.

  “He can’t,” Papa Creola amended. “It’s part of who he is in this form.”

  “If I’m free, it’s because I’m always running,” Subner stated.

  “I think you should run,” Sophia quipped. “So you have a solution for me for this curse?”

  Papa Creola shook his head. “No, unfortunately, I don’t.”

  Sophia sighed. “That’s cute, because your message implied that you did.”

  “I know where you can look to find a solution though.” Papa Creola continued to regard the metal box with speculation.

  “It all depends on how we look at things, and not how they are in themselves,” Subner told them, his eyes closed.

  Sophia ignored him. “Oh great. So not even a direct answer. Instead, a place to look for the answer. I love a good scavenger hunt.”

  Papa Creola nodded as if she was serious. “Then you’ll love this.”

  “Love is a friend set to music,” Subner quoted.

  “How has Liv not murdered him yet?” Sophia pointed at the hippie sitting with the hookah.

  Papa Creola blew out a breath. “I don’t know. It’s only a matter of time for us both. But then we’re hopeful we’ll be back as magicians or gnomes or something more tolerable.”

  “Or fae,” she teased.

  He shot her a repulsed expression. “Don’t joke like that. I’d throw myself in front of a bus. I have…”

  “Not weird at all,” she stated.

  Father Time shrugged. “Some things are worse than death. Fae, for one.”

  Sophia nodded. “So where’s this place I get to look for my next clue?”

  “Well, I do know that you need to find the original Door of Reflection to lift the mark from your soul,” Papa Creola advised.

  “You mean the entrance to the Chamber of the Tree in the House of Fourteen?” she asked.

  “Yes. It was created from a source, but I can’t tell you where.”

  She lowered her chin. “Can’t?”

  “Life is a journey, not a destination,” Subner sang, still swaying.

  Papa Creola nodded in his assistant’s direction. “What he said.”

  “Okay, so where’s the source?” Sophia asked.

  Papa Creola simply gave her a look that said, “What do you think?”

  “So you’re not going to tell me, are you?”

  “I will tell you that while you currently can’t go to the Great Library, since it’s under construction—”

  Sophia’s laughter cut him off. “You mean moved.”

  “Whatever.” Papa Creola waved his hand dismissively at her. “There’s another place to find the source location of the Door of Reflection, and it’s one that you’re acquainted with.”

  Sophia’s eyes widened with a sudden realization. “Of course! Another source for the Door of Reflection’s location would be the library in the House of Fourteen.”

  She didn’t wait for confirmation from the elf known as Father Time before bounding for the door.

  Of course, Subner had to have the last word and called at her back, “May every sunrise hold more promise and every sunset hold more peace.”

  Chapter Ten

  When she stepped through the portal into the House of Fourteen, Sophia felt the familiar sentiment of nostalgia wash over her as she entered her childhood home.

  Most didn’t grow up in a hidden magical house disguised as a rundown palm reading shop off the Santa Monica pier, so most probably didn’t have the same ambivalent feelings as Sophia. It wasn’t that she didn’t value the place that she’d called home for the first part of her life, but rather that it was constantly changing, so how could she miss it?

  The House of Fourteen wasn’t like a little cottage that one could return to and skip through memories as they strolled through the familiar rooms. The House was constantly changing depending on who was there and many other conditions, similar to the Gullington. It was a massive seven-story building with rooms that disappeared and reappeared and a magical chamber where only councilors and warriors could enter through the Door of Reflection. And the Dragon Elite, of course.

  But in truth, Sophia mostly didn’t have too many sad feelings when returning to her home because it hadn’t ever felt like that to her. She’d lived in one place with her parents until they died. Then she, Ian, Reese, and Clark moved to another apartment inside the House of Fourteen.

  Then her older sister and brother died, and she and Clark lived alone in a smaller place. If anything, it had been nice to move to Liv’s where there was no association with death and loss. When Sophia finally moved to the Gullington, it had been about growth and rebirth and starting a new life. So returning to the House of Fourteen was like stepping into an old life—one she outgrew long ago.

  “What’s with the weird look in your eyes?” Liv asked as soon as Sophia crossed the hallway from the portal connected to the Castle.

  Her sister was propped up against the wall, next to a painting of a warrior standing in a dark landscape with their hair blowing in the wind and a murderous expression on their face. Liv appeared like she had been casually waiting for Sophia to enter from the portal all along.

  “I love that I keep getting that question,” Sophia muttered with no real joy in her voice.

  “I love that you speak the language of sarcasm,” Liv replied. “But seriously. The look. Looks like your soul has been scarred.”

  “Marked,” Sophia corrected. “And ten points for the guess. Yes. That’s why I’m here. Your boss is sending me on a scavenger hunt.”

  Apparently used to the people she loved getting their souls marked or bit by demons, Liv didn’t act too shocked or concerned. Sophia loved that about her—and much, much more.

  Instead, Liv rubbed her hands together and looked excited as she pushed off the wall. “Oh, a good scavenger hunt. That’s so Papa’s way.”

  “Yes, he and Mama Jamba refuse to give direct answers when they’ve got all the time in the world for us to figure things out on our own.”

  Liv cleared her throat and slipped into her Papa Creola voice. “Why tell you when you can risk your life to find the answers for yourself?”

  “We should murder that man,” Sophia said, earning a look of surprise from Liv. She quickly added, “Sorry, it’s the mark on my soul. It’s making me extra irritable lately.”

  Liv nodded and understood at once. “Same thing happened to me when a talking toad cursed me. Worst two weeks ever. Clark nearly didn’t survive.”

  Sophia laughed. “How is House business?” She nodded in the direction of the downstairs where the Chamber of the Tree was located and the Royals met.

  “Boring. They love to hear themselves talk, especially Bianca. Lorenzo seems humbled since you punched him in the face. However, I’m still keeping an eye on the guy.”

  “Good,” Sophia stated with relief.

  “Plato wants our help with something soon,” Liv began. “You might have noticed that he moved the Great Library.”

  “How could I have missed that?” Sophia joked.

  “Yeah, it cre
ated a huge chasm in the folds of time and space according to Grumpy Pants, also known as Papa Creola,” Liv related. “However, it had to be done and we’re patching things up. Anyway, once the renovation is complete, Plato wants us to fetch the new librarian. You game?”

  “Fetch?” Sophia asked dryly.

  “Well, it will involve getting our hands dirty,” Liv confessed. “We’ll probably get a little sweaty.”

  Sophia groaned. “I don’t like to sweat.”

  “Me either.”

  Still, Sophia grinned. “Yeah, as soon as I remove this mark on my soul, I’ll have time. When do you think?”

  Liv shrugged. “When the paint dries. I’ll let you know. Sounds like you’ve got more pressing issues.”

  “I have to find the source that the Door of Reflection was created from. Any ideas on that one?”

  “Unlike Papa, I’d tell you if I knew,” Liv answered. “Alas, I do not and can’t help.”

  Sophia nodded. “Well, I figure the information is in the library so I’m off to research.”

  “Don’t get lost.” Liv strode in the opposite direction after offering her sister a smile.

  It was good advice, since the potential of getting lost in the House of Fourteen’s library was an actual concern and had happened to many a wise magician—never to be seen again.

  Chapter Eleven

  The library in the House of Fourteen, although not nearly as big as the Great Library, was still magnificent. It was several stories tall and never the same on any given day. That was because it contained almost exclusively magical books that in many ways were alive. There was no librarian that Sophia was aware of. Instead, the reader was supposed to stay focused on what they were looking for and be “led” to the right section and book.

  If one didn’t focus properly, then they would be lost. And if the browser didn’t know the right clues to look for, then they might never find the right book. That was because magic was inherently tricky in both a complex and mischievous way.

  Reese, Sophia’s oldest sister, used to say that magic had a personality all its own. “You have to be clever to understand magic. And you have to have a sense of humor to appreciate it.”

  The books in the House of Fourteen’s library reflected this personality.

  Sophia let out a deep breath and enjoyed the familiar smell of the many volumes sitting on shelves when she entered the large library. This was her favorite place in the House of Fourteen. She’d spent many an occasion playing hide-and-seek with Liv, hiding in strange places that only Liv could find. For instance, Sophia once hid as a book on a shelf and another time she was inside a painting. Her magic when she was young was very creative. Now she had to reserve it for more practical things—like staying alive.

  Knowing that the library picked up on her thoughts the moment she entered, Sophia directed them intently, thinking of the book she needed.

  I need to find the source of the Door of Reflection, she thought.

  When nothing happened, Sophia deflated. It wasn’t that she expected the library to rearrange itself right in front of her or illuminate a path to the book she needed. Well, that happened on occasion, but she thought something would happen. Usually a sign was presented. It was always different.

  However, for nothing to happen at all was troubling. Sophia suddenly worried if the curse interfered with her ability to focus or work with the library in the House of Fourteen.

  Sophia wondered what her options were as she glanced around, starting to feel desperate. That’s when she noticed a familiar figure who she shouldn’t have been surprised to find with his nose in a book. And he was exactly the right person to help her with her current dilemma. But first she was going to sneak up on her unsuspecting brother and scare him half to death—because that’s how she rolled.

  Chapter Twelve

  Sneaking up on Clark wasn’t difficult since he was completely engrossed in the book he was reading. He had it pressed up close to his face and scanned the words intently as he mouthed them.

  Sophia reached out from behind him and grabbed his shoulders. “Boo.”

  He jumped forward, then whipped around and held the book like it was a makeshift weapon.

  Unable to control herself, she doubled over laughing at the frightened expression on Clark’s red face.

  He relaxed at the sight of her, and his eyes went from scared to annoyed. “Soph, that was a trick that Liv would have pulled on me. I didn’t expect something like that from you.”

  She continued to giggle. “I know. I just saw Liv, so I guess she inspired me.”

  His chest rose and fell as he sought to catch his breath. Then he tilted his head with a sudden worried expression. “What’s wrong? Are you okay?”

  She nodded at once, wanting to put his fears at ease. Those who knew her best could obviously see the mark on her soul. “I’m fine, but that’s why I’m here. I’m looking for something that could help me. Maybe you can assist.”

  His brow wrinkled more. “What is it?”

  Sophia didn’t want to tell Clark that she’d been cursed. He was a worrier and wouldn’t take it as easily as Liv. “I’m looking for a book that tells me where to find the source that the Door of Reflection was taken from. You don’t happen to know the answer offhand, do you?”

  Clark was probably the most well-read person she knew. For a moment, hope filled her chest that she could bypass the research aspect and get the answer from him.

  However, his frown deepened as he shook his head. “I don’t, but why do you need to find the source of the Door of Reflections? You don’t look like yourself. What is it?”

  “It’s something I can fix,” she said with conviction. “I just need your help. Can you help me find the book that has the information?”

  He blinked at her in confusion. “I don’t understand. Why can’t you search? I taught you how the library works a long time ago.”

  She shrugged. “I don’t know. For some reason it’s not working for me. Maybe it’s because I’m a dragonrider now or something.” What Sophia didn’t say was what she thought was the actual cause. The mark on her soul made it so that the library wouldn’t respond to her. Maybe it didn’t trust her, or that was part of the curse.

  “Why do I get the impression you’re intentionally avoiding telling me what’s wrong with you?”

  Sophia sighed. “It’s not worth going into. What’s important is finding that book with the information on the Door of Reflection. Will you please help me, Clark?” She batted her eyes at her brother, giving him the look that she knew would always work on him.

  Instantly, he softened, nodded and let out a breath. “Yes, you know I’ll help you, Soph. Let me put this away so it doesn’t interfere.” He slid the book he was holding onto the nearest shelf. It didn’t matter where he put it because the library would reshelf it to wherever it belonged.

  “Now, it could be possible that the book isn’t here and that’s why you can’t find it,” Clark offered and turned to look down the row.

  “I considered that. But Papa Creola sent me here.”

  Her brother nodded in understanding. “So then it’s here.”

  “I think so.”

  He closed his eyes, obviously focusing on what they wanted to find. He walked forward without opening them, seemingly pulled by an invisible string. Blind but walking perfectly straight, Clark made a sudden turn at the end of the row and continued forward. Sophia followed him at a distance, not wanting to distract him as he navigated his way through the library.

  After Clark had walked a great distance, he stopped abruptly and swung around to face a row of books. With his eyes still closed, he reached out and pulled a book of maps from the shelf. His eyes popped open and surprise hit his face. When he held up the book, Sophia knew why.

  The book was entitled, Hidden Places.

  Chapter Thirteen

  “Have you ever seen this before?” Sophia took the book from Clark. It was thick, and full of dusty maps with faded
colors.

  He shook his head. “I’m certain that no one has in a long time judging by its appearance.”

  She knew what he meant when she opened it to find the pages stuck together. There were maps of the Earth full of blue waters and green lands, but it didn’t look like the globe she was acquainted with.

  Clark gasped as he looked over her shoulder. “This map…”

  “It has lands that are hidden,” Sophia finished his sentence. The map was full of places she’d never heard of like Ramycans and Fatima Islands and Bateman Peninsula.

  “I wonder if the only way you can find these hidden places is if you have this book,” Clark mused and scratched his forehead.

  “That makes sense. Because otherwise they would have been discovered by now.”

  She suspected that Mama Jamba could shine some light on the subject, but doubted that she would offer much help. That woman was about as forthcoming with information as Papa Creola.

  While flipping through the book, she found map after map with places she’d recognize, but with bodies of lands next to them that she didn’t. “Since when is there a small continent next to Mexico?”

  “Probably since forever ago,” Clark answered.

  Although the discovery of all these mysterious places was incredibly cool, it didn’t help Sophia to narrow down where the source of the Door of Reflection was located.

  Similar to how Bermuda Laurens had taught Sophia how to use the books Magical Creatures and a Complete History of Dragonriders to find things, she randomly flipped through the pages, not scanning them, but rather feeling directed. Suddenly, her hand stopped on a page. The map was full of tiny islands and looked to be in the South Pacific.

  At first, Sophia wasn’t sure why her instinct had made her stop on this particular page. Then Clark reached over her shoulder and pointed. “Look. That’s got to be it.”

  Her mouth popped open, and she knew he was right. Nestled between the cluster of islands was a body of water labeled, The Reflective Sea.