by Sarah Noffke
Each time a dragon shot fire, it slowed them down slightly. The last time Sulfur attempted to attack, Lunis dove for her, his claws aiming for one of her wings.
The ripping sound and the scream of the dragon echoed in Sophia’s head as they darted to the side. She stood on the back of her dragon, bringing her sword around as Gordon reached for her. The dragons were flying side by side, snapping at each other, their claws trying to find a place to attack, their wings flapping and tangling with one another.
The riders were jostled around until the dragons leveled out, Sulfur suffering from her damaged wing and burns.
Gordon stood with his chin down and eyes evilly pinned on Sophia. She faced him, her gaze unrelenting.
With her sword in both hands, she let out a long breath, knowing exactly what was coming next. It was a risky move, but battles were about doing the unexpected to hopefully take the advantage.
Chapter Ninety-Nine
Lunis threw his weight to the side, getting Sophia close to Gordon. The other rider hadn’t expected that, and he faltered backward as Sophia swung Inexorabilis. His chest collapsed to avoid the assault.
He recovered quickly and jabbed his knife at her gut. Sophia’s connection with her sword seemed to take over and she lifted it at precisely the right moment, knocking her elbow down on Gordon’s forearm and making him drop the knife. It passed Lunis and fell to the ground below.
The blue dragon then grabbed Sulfur with his claws, pinning her legs to her body, making it hard for her to fly, especially with her injuries. The motion sent Gordon stumbling back. He probably would have caught himself if Sophia hadn’t spun and launched a kick at his chest. When her boot was almost there, she added a magical boost to the combat move, sending him flying off his dragon and fifteen yards through the air, at which point he fell toward the ground.
Sulfur jerked, realizing what had happened, and tried to dive for her rider. However, Lunis still had one of her legs pinned. She snapped at him, trying to free herself, but he didn’t release her until Gordon had reached the ground. Only then did Lunis push her away, flying in the opposite direction.
The yellow dragon wasn’t coming after them for retaliation. She could have, but her only focus was on her rider, who had fallen to his death. That meant that Sulfur would soon die too.
When Sophia and Lunis were a safe distance away, she opened a portal.
It’s time to go home, she said to her dragon.
I’ve been wanting to return to the Gullington, he replied.
Me too, she said, settling back down and resting her face against his neck.
True love felt like home, and for the rest of her life, Sophia would always have that, as long as she and Lunis had one another.
Chapter One Hundred
Sophia trudged up to Hiker’s office, storming straight in and interrupting a meeting he appeared to be having with Mama Jamba. The rider dropped the magical tech on his desk, making a clattering sound.
Mother Nature sat back in her armchair, giving Sophia a pleased smile. “Good to see you made it back.”
“Barely,” Sophia stated.
Hiker shot the device a repugnant expression, pushing it away with the tip of his pen. “What’s that?”
“It’s magical tech,” she explained, taking a seat, exhaustion starting to overwhelm her. Lunis had gone directly to the Cave upon returning since his wounds needed to be looked after. Sophia had come straight to Hiker’s office, ignoring Ainsley, who’d asked if she’d order from UberEATS since she was too tired to cook.
“I get that it’s magical tech,” Hiker said, pushing away from his desk. “It reeks of the stuff. Why did you bring it back here? You know how I feel about it.”
“Because knowledge resides in investigation,” Sophia stated. “We need to know what we’re up against, and the only way we can do that is by dissecting what’s out there, meant to destroy dragons and riders.”
Mama Jamba arched a manicured eyebrow at her, looking impressed.
“How do you know this is aimed at destroying us?” Hiker asked.
“Because,” Sophia began, “that device severs the connection between a rider and a dragon.”
“Oh, dear me,” Mama Jamba said, cupping her hand over her mouth.
“Seriously?” Hiker exclaimed, backing even further from his desk. “How dare you bring this in here! What were you thinking?”
Sophia wanted to laugh at Hiker’s reaction, but that might also be due to the exhaustion. “It won’t work unless Bell is with you. Lunis and I were hit at the same time, which is why I suppose it worked. However, I want to do more research. I think my sister can help.”
“You and Lunis were hit?” Mama Jamba asked, looking Sophia over. “Are you okay?”
Hiker gestured at Sophia. “Obviously she is, or she wouldn’t be here right now, putting poison on my desk.”
“I’m fine, thank you,” Sophia said to Mama Jamba before returning her attention to Hiker. “Thanks for the sympathy. We are fine now, but we almost didn’t make it. Gordon Burgress hit us with this device, and it instantly severed our connection. I couldn’t communicate with Lunis or scry or do anything that we hold so dear as dragonriders. I was completely cut off. However, by the grace of the angels, he found me, and our bond came back. I won’t ever take that for granted, and I will never chance losing it again.”
“That’s because what you and Lunis have is special,” Mama Jamba said proudly.
“What every dragon and rider has is special,” Hiker stated, still sounding pissed off. “How did Gordon Burgress get hold of this? I thought he was living off the grid.”
“I believe Thad Reinhart found him somehow,” Sophia stated. “You said he’d been taking out dragonriders. Well, what if he killed all the lone riders but left one, knowing we’d try to recruit?”
Hiker seemed to be considering this. “Go on, then.”
“Gordon Burgress was really confused,” Sophia explained. “He seemed himself at one moment and then disoriented, like he was suffering from some sort of brainwashing. He said he and his dragon Sulfur lost memories and were told to use that device on anyone they came in contact with.” She pointed to the magical tech still sitting menacingly on the desk. “He said things that didn’t seem in line with his character.”
“Like implanted ideas?” Hiker asked.
“Yeah, he said something about being severed from the one thing you love,” Sophia imparted. “Then he left me when he could have easily killed me. His dragon did the same to Lunis.”
“Because the one thing Thad would want more than anything is to rob a dragon and their rider of their connection,” Hiker said almost to himself. “That makes sense. He’s always felt that if he couldn’t have his dragon, then others shouldn’t have theirs. Well, ever since what happened to Ember, anyway.”
“This actually puts recent events into focus,” Mama Jamba said, crossing her legs and bouncing her foot casually.
“What?” Sophia asked, looking at Hiker and Mama Jamba. “What do you mean?”
Hiker let out a breath. “We still don’t know what happened to Mahkah and Tala. They are fine, but they both describe being hit by something that seemed to try to separate them mentally. They resisted, and I think the only reason it didn’t work was because of the longevity of the connection they have with one another.”
“The technology could have also been untested,” Sophia offered, indicating the magical tech. “This one worked, but not entirely, although I’m not sure what effect it would have on other dragons and riders.”
“This is why I keep stressing her training,” Mama Jamba sang. “That’s the key here.”
“Are you sure?” Hiker asked her.
She shrugged, her lips pursed. “There’s no way to know for sure, but Mahkah and Tala were able to resist the attack, whereas it severed Sophia’s and Lunis’ connection. It makes sense that Thad hasn’t perfected it, and therefore, it only works on riders who haven’t earned their wings yet.”
Hiker nodded, chewing on his lip. “Go on, Sophia. What else happened?”
“Well,” she said, not particularly excited to relate the next bit, “you were right about Gordon Burgress.”
Hiker leaned over and pushed a piece of parchment in her direction. “Go ahead and write that down. Those words about me being right. I want proof you said that.”
She sighed. “My point is that he wasn’t a team player. He wasn’t Dragon Elite material. Even before whatever it was infected him and Sulfur, they appeared to be only about themselves, not caring about the world’s problems.”
“That’s right,” Hiker stated proudly. “Not every dragonrider is born for us. Who knows why? Oh wait, that woman does.” He pointed decisively at Mama Jamba.
She smiled. “I do, in fact, but no one wants a spoiler. Some seeds become trees that shade the forest, while others become weeds. You never know what you’re going to get.”
“Well, you do,” Hiker fired back. “So, what happened to Gordon and his dragon?’
Sophia’s gaze dropped. “Lunis and I did what we had to do. He was infected. We were certain that if we didn’t stop them, they would do something to society or to us. They were working for Thad Reinhart.”
Hiker put both his hands in his hair, disbelief heavy in his eyes. “You killed a dragonrider and his dragon who were easily several hundred years older than you?”
Sophia threw up her hands. “When is this stuff going to stop surprising you?”
“You haven’t finished your training,” Hiker argued. “Actually, you’re quite new to life.”
“Age and gender should have nothing to do with this.” Sophia stuck her hands on her hips.
“I don’t believe I said anything about you being female,” Hiker stated.
“But you were thinking it,” Mama Jamba chimed in.
He cast her a frustrated expression. “Not really appreciated at this point.”
“But yes, we ended Gordon Burgress.” Sophia pointed to the Elite Globe. “I’d like you to confirm that, though.”
Hiker strode over, rotating the globe around until it was centered on the Rocky Mountains. A moment later, he turned back to them, a heavy expression on his face. “You did. Well done.”
Sophia shook her head. “My first kill was one of our own. I don’t feel good about that.”
Hiker nodded, appreciation in his eyes for her statement. “I get that, but you did what you had to. And I agree, it was the right thing to do. Gordon and his dragon were poisoned. They might have tried to come after more of us. Who knows?”
“But he was the last lone rider,” Sophia said, realization welling up in her being. “And he was ruined.”
Mama Jamba waved this off. “Well, I sort of figured it was a long shot, recruiting the other dragonriders.”
Hiker’s eyes appeared ready to bulge out of his face. “What? Why did you insist we go after them, then?”
Again, she shrugged innocently. “Just thought it would be good to cross that one off the list. Now you know that who you’ve got is all you have.”
“There are those eggs in the Cave,” Hiker argued.
“Yes, but your efforts should be focused on what you have rather than what you might get.” Mama Jamba held her hand out to Sophia. “I mean, you’ve got the first female dragonrider in history and the first one in over a hundred years. There’s great magic in that.”
“Are you telling me there’s a chance to save the Dragon Elite?” Hiker asked, his face deadly serious.
“Hiker,” Mama Jamba said, standing, the Southern accent making her sound very smooth. “You’re never done until the last candle has been blown out.” She leaned in and whispered loudly in the direction of his ear, although she was still a couple of feet away. “Make Sophia your last candle. She’s your chance.”
Hiker seemed more than perplexed when the robust woman turned and strode for the door.
“Mama?” he said, a question in his voice.
“It’s time for my bath, dear Hiker. I’ll see you later for your bedtime story,” Mama Jamba called over her shoulder.
“Mama,” he said again, this time threateningly.
She laughed. “I’m only kidding.” Then the woman who was the best of all of them looked at Sophia and winked. “Get that training, dear, would you? I don’t like putting pressure on you, but you completing your training is pivotal.”
“You’ve said that before,” Sophia stated.
“That’s because it’s true,” Mama Jamba replied. “You completing it isn’t guaranteed in any future I’ve seen, nor anything Papa Creola has, but I know one thing for certain. If and when you finish your training, you might be able to save us all.”
“How?” Sophia had to ask.
Mama Jamba smiled. “Oh, no. Like I said before, no spoilers, dear. Just keep that head down and that body moving. Completing your training is crucial. You did well to bond to your sword, but that’s only the beginning.”
“Mama, we both know that completing training takes time,” Hiker stated, annoyance in his voice. “Time I don’t believe we have. It’s wrong to put so much pressure on her.”
Mama Jamba bounced her curls with her hand like a young girl flirting with a boy on the playground. “Oh, I know, but we’re talking about Sophia Beaufont. You underestimate her, and that will only make her do better. I encourage you to do so. Tell her she can’t. Tell her she won’t. Better yet, remind her that she’s a girl, and young.”
“Mama…” Hiker said, a warning in his voice.
“Don’t you ‘Mama’ me,” she interrupted, authority in her tone. “Sophia killed a dragonrider four times her age. She’s done a lot you never thought she could do with her lack of experience and whatnot. Keep underestimating her, son. You’re just fueling my fire.”
Mama Jamba’s face turned pleasant once more, her eyes finding Sophia. “Your training, dear. Nothing is more important.”
“Okay,” Sophia stated. “I’ll do my best.”
Mama Jamba shook her head. “Oh, no. That won’t do, my dear. Do it like your life depends on it. Like all of ours do, because that’s absolutely the case.”
Chapter One Hundred One
It was hard to get Mama Jamba’s ominous words out of her head. However, she did her best as she showered off the battle in the Rocky Mountains. Tomorrow she’d do as she was ordered and start training with a vengeance.
If everything centered on her and Lunis completing training, then she’d give it her all. She’d find the Complete History of Dragonriders and learn all the secrets buried somewhere in the Gullington. She’d learn what Quiet was up to, and other secrets that Hiker was keeping. But that would wait for tomorrow when the sun rose and her dragon had recovered.
For now, what Sophia Beaufont needed was very simple. She cast her eyes at the bed against the wall, the covers rolled down and ready for her. But she wasn’t ready for it just yet.
“Just one game, Castle?” Sophia asked aloud to the Castle. She didn’t have to wait for more than a few seconds before her question was answered and the boxed game Cards Against Humanity appeared on the end table next to the sitting area.
It seemed the lynx’s advice had come into play. She wasn’t sure why, but he had orchestrated things once again.
Sophia snatched up the game, smiling. “Thank you. I promise I won’t be long.”
A clock appeared beside the door as Sophia strode for it. She paused, reading the time, which wasn’t the present one. It read midnight.
Sophia nodded. “I’ll be in bed by midnight, Castle. That’s a promise.”
It was no longer strange to Sophia that she talked to an ancient Castle. It was more of a sentient being than even the House of Fourteen where she had grown up. She never thought anyplace could replace that home in her heart, but there was no comparison to the Castle.
It was her home, her friend, and her guardian. Sophia knew little about the structure, which was more magical than anything she’d ever experie
nced, but she hoped to one day find out why it was the way it was and how. More riddles to unlock over time.
With the game in her arms, Sophia hurried down the stairs to the dining hall, where she could hear the men arguing and Ainsley cackling with delight.
She was in her pajamas and her hair still wet when she slid into the dining hall as everyone was finishing up their meal.
“Well,” Ainsley said in a disapproving tone. “It’s about time, S. Beaufont. Because of you, I had to cook.”
“Sorry,” Sophia said unapologetically. “I was sort of beat after that whole death-defying mission where I lost my dragon and killed a man.”
“You’ve always got an excuse,” Ainsley stated, shaking her head of red hair disapprovingly.
“Well, you know I could help you get a phone so you can order your own UberEATS,” Sophia offered. “And then you wouldn’t have to borrow mine to watch YouTube.”
Ainsley lowered her chin. “You know Hiker won’t allow that. He says none of us can have phones and technology, but you’re grandfathered in because you grew up with it.”
“That seems about right,” Sophia muttered.
“Well, now that you’ve shown up late, I bet you want me to go and get you something to eat that isn’t cold, don’t you?” Ainsley put her hands on her hips, looking annoyed.
“Thank you. That would be lovely,” Sophia said, sliding into the chair next to Quiet and smiling at him. “I can’t remember the last time I ate.”
Ainsley sighed dramatically. “Fine.” She held out her hand, and a plate of steaming hot roast beef with roasted vegetables appeared in it. “This really put me out, but I’ll let it slide since you were strolling around the Expanse all day.”
“Recovering magical tech that could wipe us all out, actually,” Sophia corrected, laying the game down between Wilder and Evan.
“Whatever,” Ainsley said, striding toward the kitchen. “Same thing, really.”