The Creative Strategist

by Sarah Noffke

  “Oh, is it?” Maddie has asked, instantly curious.

  It had taken Liv twice as long to make the short walk to John’s electronics repair shop as usual. She not only didn’t have the heart to tell Maddie that the homeless problem couldn’t be solved with food, but she also didn’t want to rush her on her first excursion through the urban West Coast.

  “Of course I can see the chimera,” Maddie stated, ruffling the hair on the top of Pickles’ head.

  “Because it is a glamour that’s covering it, right?” Liv asked. “And that doesn’t work on giants?”

  Maddie nodded.

  Of course, neither Rory nor Bermuda had relayed this information to Liv. They liked their little secrets. It made sense now that giants could see past the glamour. However, when the chimera had been locked, no one could see what it truly was.

  Pickles began yelping, then jumped off Sophia’s lap and threw his paws on Maddie’s legs. He transformed into his chimera form, his high-pitched barks becoming loud roars. The giant lion with a serpent’s tail and goat’s head on his back didn’t even knock the giantess over as he jumped on her excitedly.

  “She sure is…” John said from the corner of his mouth, giving Liv a meaningful look.

  “Animated?” she supplied.

  He nodded. “Where did you get her from?”

  “Texas,” she answered. “Not like the giants we grow here, huh?”

  He snorted with laughter. “The Laurenses are just a bit more serious, but yes, Maddie seems great.”

  The giantess was now holding her chest and nearly buzzing with excitement.

  “Maddie, I’m sorry to interrupt, but I want to introduce you to John Carraway. He’s one of the Mortal Seven, and this is his chimera,” Liv stated, presenting John.

  He held his hand out to her, but she didn’t take it. Instead, she bowed slightly. “A pleasure to meet you. I suppose you requested my help with the chimera or a House related project?”

  Liv shook her head, putting her arm around Sophia as her little sister slipped around her arm, lying her head on her side. She was so much bigger than even the day before. She and the egg were growing at an exponential rate. Sophia already looked eleven, or maybe even twelve. It was too much for Liv, but then she reminded herself that was only a thought and a thought can be changed.

  “This is my sister Sophia Beaufont, and she’s the reason I requested your help.”

  Maddie beamed as she looked down at the little girl. “I remember you saying that now. You need help with something for your sister. Pleased to meet you, Sophia Beaufont. And I like your dress.”

  Sophia curtsied, pulling the skirt of her dress to the side. She was wearing a navy-blue sailor dress that made her appear distinguished and completely adorable at the same time. It was hard for Liv to believe this girl would one day be one of the Dragon Elite. She’d been reading up on the secretive organization, although the only information available on them was considered rumors. According to those, though, the Elite ate raw meat for breakfast, could spear a minotaur with their eyes closed while half-drunk, and were composed entirely of men. Liv wasn’t sure how beautiful little Sophia was going to fit in with a group like that, but honestly, she feared more for the Elite than she did for Sophia.

  “Thank you,” Sophia said to Maddie.

  “I asked for your help because we have something very secretive and somewhat delicate we need moved,” Liv explained.

  The smile dropped from the giantess’ face.

  “You see, my sister, she—”

  “Has magnetized to a dragon egg,” Maddie said, cutting Liv off.

  “That’s right!” Liv exclaimed. “How did you know?”

  “I can sense it about her,” she explained.

  Liv sighed. Giants seemed to know everything. It made her wonder how much Rory didn’t tell her, although she’d already guessed it was a great deal.

  “Yes, I have a dragon’s egg, and we need it transported to someplace safe,” Sophia stated. “He doesn’t like Liv’s place because of all the glamour, and he’s gotten too big for us to move easily.”

  “And you say I’ll have help?” Maddie questioned.

  “Yes, Rory will be with you. Bermuda and he are at my place going over the plans,” Liv stated.

  “I’ll take you down there,” Sophia said, grabbing Maddie’s hand and tugging her toward the door.

  Liv wouldn’t normally allow Sophia to stroll down the block on her own between the shop and the apartment, but she was with a giant. However, Maddie was new to the city.

  “Soph,” Liv began, a warning in her voice.

  “We won’t talk to strangers,” her sister replied, prompted by her tone.

  “And?”

  “And we will go straight there and not dawdle,” Sophia continued.

  “And?” Liv asked again.

  “And if any baddies try to stop us, I’ll turn them into snails and make us invisible, just in case there are any more of them out there waiting to attack.”

  Liv smiled. “Good girl.”

  Chapter Eight

  The pair left the shop, giving Liv a chance to finally look around at the cluttered shelves. A lot of projects had come in recently and were stacking up, but with the egg and the Mortal Seven and everything else, Liv had little time for repairs.

  John was just as busy as she was, spying on the Renegades and attending council meetings at the House.

  “So, how about I tackle everything on the bottom shelves and you take the stuff I can’t reach?” Liv suggested to John, pointing to the shelves up high.

  He grinned. “I love your spirit, but I came up with another, better idea.”

  “Oh?” she questioned as Plato materialized. The lynx gave the chimera a studious glare.

  “Well, it was really your idea, but I decided to finally go along with it.”

  “Yay, you’re going to get the council to approve my idea to add an extra hour to every day!” Liv exclaimed.

  John shook his head. “No, it appears Father Time has turned that plan down a few dozen times already. It’s out of the council’s hands.”

  Liv thought for a moment. “Oh, then I guess the whole portaling into the past to when the electronics worked isn’t going to fly either.”

  In John’s typical easy-going style, he chuckled. “I’m not sure the logistics of that plan add up for me.”

  “Yeah,” Liv stated, searching the shelves.

  John picked up a stainless-steel toaster. She thought he was going to inspect it for repair, but instead, he held it, staring at his reflection and fixing his hair—something he never, ever did.

  “John, does this plan have anything to do with someone who could actually portal into the past?”

  He lowered the toaster. “You mean, Father Time? You’re the one who works for him, not me.”

  “No, I mean—”

  The door chimed, and as if cued by the conversation, Alicia De Luca strode into the shop, looking bright and cheerful. She didn’t much look like a scientist in her flowing blue sundress and flats, but Liv knew how deceiving appearances could be. This magician was probably one of the most skilled with magical tech of anyone on the planet.

  “I knew it! Alicia!” Liv exclaimed, running over and hugging the girl who she’d known as a chicken for the first few weeks they’d been together.

  The Italian set down her work bag and gave Liv a tight hug, smiling at her when she pulled away. Her long brown hair was piled on her head in a French twist, and around her neck was a small charm of a chicken.

  Liv pointed at the jewelry. “I like it.”

  Alicia touched her hand softly to her chest. “I think some might want to forget being stuck as a chicken, but I try to think of it in terms of the positives. If that hadn’t happened, I would never have met you. My shop is prospering more than ever. The House has me working on special contracts for them.” Her eyes flickered to John. “And of course, I met Mr. Carraway.”

  As if Liv didn’t exi
st anymore, the scientist strode past her, marching in John’s direction. She threw her arms around him, squealing slightly when he picked her up and twirled her.

  Pickles, still in chimera form, pressed in close to the pair as if hoping to join in the embrace.

  Alicia glanced over her shoulder at the chimera, finally pulling away from John. “Oh, and you, Pickles. I’ve heard all about how amazing you are, and now I get to see for myself.” Not like petting a dog on the head, but as if greeting a majestic being, Alicia offered her hand for the chimera to inspect. He sniffed it once, pressing his nose affectionately into it. Realizing she’d been given permission, Alicia ran her fingers over the top of the chimera’s head.

  “Aw, isn’t that the sweetest thing you’ve ever seen?” Liv asked Plato, who had jumped up on the workstation beside her.

  He shook his head, not appearing impressed.

  “If you don’t think so, all you have to do is say so,” Liv urged.

  Plato remained silent.

  Alicia pulled her hand away from Pickles and glanced at John. “Mortal Seven. It’s simply wonderful.” Her Italian accent made every word sound like music.

  “He’s even more handsome than before, huh?” Liv said, making John blush furiously.

  “I didn’t think it possible,” Alicia agreed, all unabashed affection for the man before her. She glanced around the shop. “You’re weren’t kidding, John. Your projects really are piling up.”

  “You called Alicia to help? I knew it! It was a great idea I had,” Liv exclaimed.

  He nodded proudly. “And even though she’s got her own shop and contracts with the House, she agreed.”

  Alicia picked up her bag and began rummaging through it. “Oh, don’t be silly. My shop can pretty much run itself since I’ve got my assistants to help.”

  “You mean Laidback Lion and Plotting Panda?” Liv asked, referring to the robots Alicia had built, which were enhanced with amazing magical tech, making them intuitive and creative.

  “Yes, and I gave them both upgrades,” Alicia stated. “Now they are big enough to handle the day-to-day operations of the shop. I’ll just pop over every other day to see if there’s anything they need, which means I can help out here with repairs while also working on House contracts.”

  “Wow, you’re a lifesaver,” Liv said, letting out a breath of relief.

  Alicia laughed. “Says the girl who actually saved my life.”

  “I can help with a few projects before tonight’s Council meeting, but Liv needs to be off,” John said, and Liv could have sworn she was being dismissed.

  “Yes, that’s right. I have to go now. There’s a giant, a tiny magician, and an ungrateful houseguest I need to meet up with.” Liv started for the front door, noticing someone approaching quickly from the other side. She titled her head, trying to make out the figure through the blurry glass.

  Chloe threw open the door just as Liv stepped back, her hand automatically going to Bellator.

  “Jonathon Carraway!” Chloe yelled, not even seeming to notice Liv as she marched through the door and straight over to John. “You are dead meat!”

  Chapter Nine

  “Who’s Jonathon?” Liv asked, looking down at Plato. He shrugged as if he had no clue.

  “Chloe?” John asked. “What are you doing here?”

  “What am I doing here?” Chloe glanced at Alicia, giving her a cold stare before returning her gaze to John, who seemed unflustered. “I have urgent business to discuss with you.”

  “Go on, then,” John urged.

  The magician’s hair was windswept, and her cheeks were red like she’d run a mile in her knee-high boots to get there. Liv paused by the door, not in a hurry to leave there now. John had been leading Chloe on, secretly funneling information she told him about the Renegades to Liv and the council while giving the wicked magician wrong information about the House of Fourteen.

  “I need to speak to you alone!” Chloe yelled, her eyes bulging.

  Pickles, still in chimera form, sunk down, growling at the woman.

  “I’m afraid I’m in the middle of something, Chloe,” John stated, his tone even. “Can you just give me a minute? This is my new—”

  “I don’t care who this hussy is,” Chloe stated, cutting him off.

  “Actually, she’s not a—”

  “John, that thing I told you about? Well, I have reason to believe you’ve leaked the information,” Chloe said, stabbing a finger into his chest and pressing him back an inch.

  Pickles growled deeper, about to lunge for the magician.

  To Liv’s surprise, John actually held up a hand, stopping his chimera from defending him. “It’s okay, boy. I’ve got this.” He turned his attention to Chloe, who was trying to bear down on him with intimidation. “I assure you I didn’t tell anyone about Sid and his…establishment.”

  “Then why was he raided by the House and shut down?” Chloe asked, narrowing her eyes at him.

  John scratched his head, seemingly thoroughly perplexed. “Well, I haven’t got a clue, darling. I really wish I did.”

  Chloe threw her hands in the air before turning and marching around the shop. Alicia watched, not at all put off by the angry woman’s display. “And none of the information you’ve given me about the House has panned out.” She stopped and tilted her head to the side, giving John a scrutinizing glare. “It’s almost as if…”

  “John doesn’t know a thing about the House,” Liv supplied.

  Chloe spun, seeming to notice Liv for the first time. “Why is your assistant always butting her nose in where it doesn’t belong?”

  “I was never taught any better,” Liv stated. “And I don’t know much about this House stuff, but John is fairly new to it. It’s pretty naïve to think he’d offer you anything of use.”

  Chloe didn’t think Liv was a threat. That had been clear since the beginning. She merely thought she was a simple magician who worked in his shop. It appeared she’d made the same assumption about Alicia. The thing about people who were driven by ego was they usually inflated their own self-worth so much that they discounted that of others, which was a huge mistake. One Liv hoped to capitalize upon.

  “Keep your mouth shut, apprentice,” Chloe fired at Liv. “Grownups are having a conversation.”

  “Sorry, I’ll just go back to doing my finger paints and eating my animal crackers,” Liv said, catching a weird glint in Alicia’s eyes. The scientist had something in her hands that she was hiding.

  Chloe rounded on John, coming at him again. “If I find out you have been holding out on me, I’ll have every hair on your head. Do you understand?”

  Pickles appeared to be about to pounce on the bold magician. However, Alicia held her hand out to the chimera, pausing him. She reached out, lightly touching Chloe on the shoulder. “Mi scusi, ma sei una vera stronza.”

  Chloe spun to face Alicia. “What? What did you say to me? And who are you?”

  Liv kept her laugh locked in her mouth. “This is Alic—”

  “Stop talking to me, apprentice!” Chloe yelled, shaking her head at Alicia. “And you as well, foreigner. I’m here to speak to John.”

  “Molto bene si strega ripugnante,” Alicia said, backing up and throwing her hands in the air.

  Chloe shook her head. “Whatever. John, you should really have people who speak English working for you.”

  John, who also knew, even with his limited understanding of the Italian language, that Alicia had insulted Chloe, simply shrugged.

  Chloe backed away, shaking her head at him. “I thought you and I could actually help each other, but now I see you’re as useless as you were before. Nothing has changed. Good riddance, John.”

  With that, Chloe stormed out of the electronics repair shop.

  The air seemed to change as soon as the vixen was gone. John sighed with relief, putting his hand on Pickles’ head as if for support.

  “Sorry, Liv, I think I just blew my chance of helping the House with the Rene
gades,” he said somberly.

  She shook her head. “Hey, we brought down Sid Encore and his horrid amusement park. Oh, and freed a few dozen unicorns. I’d call that a win.”

  Alicia smiled, her brown eyes lighting up. “I wouldn’t despair just yet, John.” She held up a small remote she’d pulled from her bag.

  “Because you’ve got a remote control car you’re going to allow us to play with?” Liv asked, strangely excited about the prospect.

  Alicia laughed. “No, because I’ve placed a tracker on that awful woman’s jacket. It will bury itself in the fabric, going completely unnoticed, and it’s impervious to the elements. Even if she won’t give John any more information, she’s sure to lead us to a place of importance sooner or later.”

  Liv rejoiced, jumping up and down. “Like the headquarters of the Renegades!”

  John’s mouth fell open. “A place she wouldn’t even mention to me before. She only mentioned Sid in passing. This is real progress, Alicia.”

  The scientist beamed. “I’d say it was a team effort. And now you don’t have to endure any more time with that—”

  “’Bitch’ is the name I think you called her,” Liv said, finishing her sentence.

  “And also something about a horrid witch,” John said with a laugh. “I’m not sure if that’s a criticism of magicians or not.”

  “It’s not,” Liv assured him. “Witches don’t exist. But if they did, Chloe would definitely be a horrid one.”

  “And one you don’t have to risk being around anymore,” Alicia stated with relief. Yes, she was probably worried about John’s safety around a loose cannon like Chloe, but she also seemed relieved that John wouldn’t have to spend any more time with his ex-wife.

  If at all possible, Liv liked Alicia De Luca even more now.

  Chapter Ten

  Rory paused outside the open door of Liv’s apartment like he all of a sudden needed an invitation to come in.