Author: Sarah Noffke; Michael Anderle
Date: 2022-03-24 07:00:00+00:00
Description: Und wenn es aufgedeckt wird, wird die wahre Geschichte der Drachenreiter alles verändern. Die mächtigsten magischen Kreaturen der Welt wurden lange Zeit von den meisten gehasst. Mit großer Autorität kommen viele, die sie herausfordern werden. Die neue Generation der Drachenreiter steht vor denselben Problemen wie ihre Vorfahren. Und es ist schwierig, die Welt zu beherrschen, wenn sie sich untereinander bekämpfen. Die Halunkenreiter sind nicht verschwunden. Sie lassen sich nur Zeit und werden immer mächtiger. Kann die Drachenelite ihren rechtmäßigen Platz als oberste Autorität einnehmen, oder w
Rights: Copyright 2022 Sarah Noffke. All rights reserved.

INTEGRITY ASCENDS

EXCEPTIONAL SOPHIA BEAUFONT™ BOOK 21

SARAH NOFFKE

MICHAEL ANDERLE

This book is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Sometimes both.

Copyright © 2020 LMBPN Publishing

Cover copyright © LMBPN Publishing

A Michael Anderle Production

LMBPN Publishing supports the right to free expression and the value of copyright. The purpose of copyright is to encourage writers and artists to produce the creative works that enrich our culture.

The distribution of this book without permission is a theft of the author’s intellectual property. If you would like permission to use material from the book (other than for review purposes), please contact support@lmbpn.com. Thank you for your support of the author’s rights.

LMBPN Publishing

PMB 196, 2540 South Maryland Pkwy

Las Vegas, NV 89109

Version 1.00, March 2022

(Previously published as a part of the megabook Reconciliation Of Hate)

eBook ISBN: 979-8-88541-380-0

Print ISBN: 979-8-88541-381-7

THE INTEGRITY ASCENDS TEAM

Thanks to the JIT Readers

Debi Sateren

Veronica Stephan-Miller

Diane L. Smith

Deb Mader

Allen Collins

Angel LaVey

Peter Manis

Jackey Hankard-Brodie

Larry Omans

If we’ve missed anyone, please let us know!

Editor

The Skyhunter Editing Team

For Bep, for all your thoughtfulness and support.

— Sarah

To Family, Friends and

Those Who Love
to Read.

May We All Enjoy Grace
to Live the Life We Are

Called.

— Michael

CONTENTS

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

Chapter 37

Chapter 38

Chapter 39

Chapter 40

Chapter 41

Chapter 42

Chapter 43

Chapter 44

Chapter 45

Chapter 46

Chapter 47

Chapter 48

Chapter 49

Chapter 50

Chapter 51

Chapter 52

Chapter 53

Chapter 54

Chapter 55

Sarah’s Author Notes

Michael’s Author Notes

Books By Michael Anderle

Connect with The Authors

CHAPTER ONE

Roughly three hundred and some-odd years in the past…

Slain dragons lined the battlefield, most of them not moving. Some tried to make a last-ditch effort to survive, but this war was over, and everyone present knew it. Smoke and the smell of burning flesh wafted through the thick air—a would-be sign to those in the distance that a battle had been fought on these grounds. However, no one was near enough to know the events that had come to pass on that day.

No one would know until it didn’t matter anymore.

The moans of the riders sprawled beside their dying dragons was an insufferable sound to Talon Sinclair, a Councilor for the House of Seven. He yanked a handkerchief from his robe pocket and covered his nose and mouth, unable to stomach the smell much longer. He’d stepped through a portal moments after a deadly blow assaulted the final demon dragonrider.

The five Warriors for the House of Seven that he’d enlisted stood on the battlefield nearby, wounded from the fight, but none of them close to death. That had been because the demon dragonriders hadn’t seen this battle coming and walked right into the ambush. To make the fight even more decisive, Talon Sinclair had all of their magic locked at the House of Seven without them knowing it—a magical governing device that he’d invented and would use to control all in the magical world one day. It made it so that an unsuspecting magician’s magic suddenly was gone, rendering them defenseless in most situations.

Everything was going to plan.

One of the oldest magicians to ever live, Talon Sinclair had worked hard to take over the magical worlds slowly. That had involved making it so pesky mortals couldn’t see magic and erasing them from the House of Seven, which had once comprised them and made it the House of Fourteen. No one would remember that though, because he’d erased that history and written a new one.

Taking control over the other magical races hadn’t been hard. The elves, giants, and gnomes didn’t care, keeping to themselves and minding their affairs. The fae were too much in a drunken stupor most of the time to realize that the world had pretty much changed overnight after the conclusion of the Great War. Magicians would do what the House of Seven wanted, which Talon Sinclair now controlled.

But dragonriders… They’d always been a thorn in Talon Sinclair’s side, upholding justice and putting mortal affairs at the top of the priority list. At first, it had been easy to dwindle the dragonriders’ numbers, pitting the Dragon Elite and Rogue Riders against each other, encouraging both sides to fight one another. Brother against brother. Few fights had more vengeance and personal gain behind them than between Hiker Wallace and Thad Reinhart.

Then it appeared that Hiker Wallace had won, sending Thad Reinhart to the depths of defeat. However, the leader of the Dragon Elite hadn’t seen what was coming next.

Overnight, mortals weren’t able to see magic anymore, and suddenly the precious moral adjudicators for the mortals were utterly useless. Talon Sinclair had felt no better victory than when the Dragon Elite sulked away to their headquarters, not to be seen again.

However, the Dragon Elite was composed of angel riders—those who wanted to do right by the world. The biggest nuisances for Talon Sinclair because they poked their noses where they didn’t belong.

Once they were gone, there was only one group to take care of—the demon dragonriders. They kept to themselves without Thad Reinhart’s leadership. However, they were still individually powerful, and if left unchecked, they might reform a group, one that could take over the magical world. Talon Sinclair couldn’t allow that to happen.

Expertly, he’d called all the demon dragonriders to that spot, inviting them on false grounds, using personal reasons that appealed to the rider’s particular interests. It wasn’t hard since they were selfish-minded. Once there, the demon dragonriders’ magic was disabled at the House of Seven, and the ambush commenced.

Talon Sinclair looked out over the battlefield littered with dead bodies and smirked. Dragon and rider must have been so perplexed without magic that they didn’t see the first or second blows coming. By then, their swords and fire were useless against the five Warriors for the House of Seven that Talon had enlisted for the tasks, led by his very own relative—Cassius Sinclair.

The Councilor strode over to where the Warriors all stood at attention, their focus on him. Many gave Talon looks of fear. He’d told them that the demon dragonriders were threats and convinced them that they needed to exterminate them. These Warriors wouldn’t question Talon, which was why he picked them: Cassius Sinclair, Solope Chienne, Lucille Mantovani, Jazebella Acker, and Enzo Bernardi.

Talon left the Beaufonts and Takahashis out of the lineup, knowing that they’d ask too many questions. They’d argue that there were other methods besides murder. They’d ruin everything. But they hadn’t, and now he’d done it.

There might be a few demon dragonriders left in the world, but like the Dragon Elite, they were powerless in this world that Talon Sinclair was quickly taking over.

Talon halted beside Cassius, the Warrior he trusted the most. Like Talon, his hair and beard were all white, having shared the same albino genetics. Their light-colored eyes briefly met as Talon leaned close and whispered in Cassius’ ear.

“Wipe their memories,” he ordered while cutting his gaze to the other Warriors.

It was better if there was no way the others could talk about this incident. Having a memory of it would pose too many risks.

Cassius nodded, a determined expression on his pale white face.

“If you have a problem with anyone, you know what to do,” Talon finally finished before marching forward and opening a portal back to the House of Seven.

He didn’t wait for Cassius’ reply. The Warrior would know that he should murder those who potentially could be trouble, the same as the demon dragonriders. That might be for the best anyway since it was high time there were new families in the House of Seven. Ones that Talon Sinclair could more easily control as he poised to take over the magical world further.

CHAPTER TWO

Present day…

“What’s a breakfast burrito?” Evan stared at his plate of food like it might jump back and bite him instead of the other way around.

Trin, the housekeeper for the Gullington, gave Sophia a confused expression. “They don’t know what breakfast burritos are?” She swept her metal cyborg hand at the others at the table: Wilder, Mahkah, Hiker, Ainsley, and Quiet, excluding Mama Jamba for obvious reasons.

“They didn’t know what tacos were when I first got here.” Sophia laughed at Evan continuing to regard the tortilla stuffed with eggs and bacon and veggies.

“How is that possible?” Trin rested her hands on her hips while shaking her head at the group.

“Because we’re not Americans,” Evan stated, then pointed at Mahkah. “Well, he is but that doesn’t count because I don’t think his tribe spent much time at taco joints before he came to the Gullington.”

Everyone looked at Mahkah as though expecting the stoic Native American to answer. He swallowed his bite of hash browns, unhurried. “Not much. No.”

“Anyway,” Trin indicated the burritos she’d made for breakfast. “I thought I’d switch it up. That’s what you’d expect from a burrito, but it has eggs and bacon in it.”

“Weird.” Wilder grimaced at the platter of burritos.

“Says the vegan.” Evan laughed.

“I made you a tofu scramble one,” Trin offered. “I’ll go and fetch it.”

Ainsley shook her head while picking out the center of the burrito, obviously against the idea of lifting it to take a giant bite out of the thing the size of her head. She took a dainty portion. “Remember when you used to tell me to fetch things for you? Almost like I was NO10JO.” She batted her eyelashes at Hiker, a smile hiding below her expression.

“I never treated you like a dog,” Hiker grumbled while indicating the cyborg dog stationed on the other side of the threshold to the Castle’s dining hall.

“Oh, no,” Ainsley teased. “Dogs get treats and told how good they are.”

Hiker set his coffee mug down on the table with a little more force than he probably intended. “Are we truly doing this? I thought we were past all that.”

Ainsley coyly held her cup of steaming tea up to her chin, hiding her grin. “Oh, where would the fun be in letting go of centuries of being your housekeeper because I’d lost my memory saving your life?”

Hiker shook his head. “Obviously nowhere.”

Trin returned, carrying a plate with a single burrito on it, and laid it in front of Wilder.

“Thanks.” He looked at the rolled-up tortilla with uncertainty.

Sophia laughed and picked up her mammoth burrito. “You simply lift it and stick it in your pie hole.”

He watched her and copied the movement, cramming a bite into his mouth.

“Why is it that Mama Jamba and Wilder get custom orders every morning?” Evan pointed at Mother Nature, who was polishing off what would probably be her first of many plates of banana nut pancakes.

“Well,” Trin began, “I think it’s obvious why Mama Jamba gets whatever she wants.”

“Because of my southern charm,” Mama Jamba remarked, then handed the empty plate to Trin and pulled the next short stack toward her.

“Because she made everything on this planet,” Wilder corrected. “Including the planet.”

Evan, who still hadn’t touched his burrito, folded his arms over his chest. “I once made a table out of old wood.”

Mama Jamba patted Evan on the arm. “It was very nice. Not sturdy or well-made, but nice nevertheless.”

“Thanks.” Evan cheered up slightly.

Trin continued, “Wilder has special dietary needs.”

“Wilder,” Evan held up a single finger and corrected, “has special dietary preferences because he’s a special pain in the ass due to the way he was born.”

“It’s true,” Wilder affirmed and ate a bite of his burrito. “What’s your excuse?”

Trin ignored their banter, pursing her lips. “I made the breakfast burritos because I thought you’d like them. If you don’t, then fine. I won’t try anything new.”

“Sounds good to me.” Hiker eyed his burrito, which was also untouched.

Trin stormed back to the kitchen, her black boots making noise as she stomped.

When the kitchen door swung shut, Wilder shook his head at Evan. “Smooth move, mate. Please teach me your ways, Casanova.”

Evan kept looking over his shoulder, back at the kitchen—worry on his face. “Man, I didn’t mean to offend her.”

“Still, it’s who you are, and there’s no way of avoiding it,” Wilder stated.

“It would seem,” Evan grumbled, turned back, and glared down at the burrito.

“Don’t worry.” Ainsley sounded sympathetic. “You guys will find your way. It’s hard when you serve someone and also are in a more complex relationship.”

Evan nodded and picked up the burrito, not at all looking sure about the food.

“Does anyone want to know what I think about Evan fancying the housekeeper?” Hiker speared a roasted potato with his fork.

“Not really, son.” Mama Jamba snapped her fingers, and a skiing magazine appeared beside her half-eaten short stack of pancakes.

“You also could be a little nicer to Trin,” Ainsley said to Hiker and nodded at the burrito. “She’s trying and putting her spin on the job.”

“You seem to have loved the change to the menu,” Hiker teased and eyed the burrito she dissected with a fork and knife but didn’t eat much of.

“I thought it was an interesting adventure,” Ainsley said smugly.

“I like eggs for breakfast, not adventures,” Hiker argued.

“This is delicious!” Evan exclaimed, having taken a bite finally. “What’s wrong with you old sticks in the muds? Breakfast burritos are the best thing ever!”

Wilder leaned forward in the other dragonrider’s direction. “I think she heard you in the kitchen,” he whispered. “I think the chickens who laid those eggs far outside the Gullington heard you.”

Evan took another bite and chewed with a delighted smile. “You miss eggs, don’t you?”

Wilder shook his head. “The only thing I miss is stealing your bacon.”

Both guys’ eyes darted to the tray in front of them where there was one hash brown left. They seemed to both have the same idea, rushing to pick up their fork to snag the potato. Sophia had less decorum. She reached out and grabbed it with her fingers, stuck it in her mouth, and winked at Wilder and Evan, who both regarded her with offended expressions.

“While you two battle, the real culprit will steal your treasure,” she said through a mouthful of hash brown. “So be careful what you spend your time doing.”

Hiker cleared his throat and pushed away his plate. “Speaking of which. I want you all in my office straight after breakfast. We have to discuss this Rogue Rider situation. Something tells me that it’s going to get worse before it gets better.”

“Sir, your optimism is always so inspiring,” Evan commented and continued to eat his burrito.

Hiker stood, his presence commanding. “I’ll see you all momentarily. We have much to discuss.”

CHAPTER THREE

“What company makes the best snow gear?” Mama Jamba asked no one in particular from her place on the Chesterfield in Hiker’s office. She was thumbing through a magazine and eyeing a pair of skis.

Hiker scowled at her from behind his desk. “How am I supposed to know?”

“How do you not know that?” Evan asked Mother Nature from where he perched against the far wall next to the bank of windows overlooking the Pond. “Don’t you pretty much know everything?”

She shrugged. “Who has time to keep up with all that stuff?”

“Papa Creola,” Sophia answered from her seat beside the old woman.

“Where do you plan to go?” Wilder asked Mama Jamba, hanging over the back of the sofa, draped between the two women.

She shrugged again. “Maybe the Alps or the Rockies, or I’ll make a new mountain range.”

“Or you can help us with our latest enemies, the newest set of Rogue Riders,” Hiker urged, irritation in his voice.

“I could.” Mama Jamba hummed while turning the magazine’s page. “I’ve never skied. I wonder if it’s hard.”

Anger flared on his face. He was about to voice his complaints, but Evan cut him off.

“Aren’t you good at everything by default?” he asked Mama Jamba.

She shook her head. “Oh, no. We all have our limitations. No one is all-powerful. I create. That’s what I do. I don’t fight or have superpowers. That’s why I have you all.”

“We’d love to do our job if you lot would focus already,” Hiker muttered before glancing at Ainsley, who perched on the corner of his desk. She wore a silver gown with red rose patterns throughout. It was elegant and sophisticated at the same time and made her look like she was professional and also ready for a posh affair. “How are things with the elves after the Rogue Riders invaded their homeland?”

“They’re very grateful for the Dragon Elite,” Ainsley began, her tone neutral. Clinical. “However, even with the protective barrier we put up, they’re still very shaken. It will take a while before those on the island don’t fear that the Rogue Riders will return.”

Hiker nodded. “Understandable. I wish I could reassure them that it won’t happen, but I can’t since I don’t know where the Rogue Riders are. They’ve been quiet since fleeing the island.”

“More like tucking tail and running for their lives.” Evan puffed his chest out.

“What about the tracking device that Mama Jamba made to locate the demon dragons?” Sophia looked around Hiker’s desk where the orb had been the last time she saw it.

The leader of the Dragon Elite shook his head. “It stopped working once we located them. Maybe you can help with that Mama?”

The old woman shook her head of curly bluish-gray hair. “Oh, no. I already did that. I got you acquainted with the demon dragons and their riders so you all could track them down once. I’m not giving you something to keep constant tabs on them. That’s your job, son.”

Hiker’s eyes fluttered with annoyance. “Yes, and I’ve devoted that job to looking for disturbances worldwide. Something tells me that the Rogue Riders won’t remain quiet long. Under Versalee’s leadership, I suspect they’ll create trouble somewhere else very soon.”

“Yeah, there’s evil, and there’s really evil.” Evan whistled. “There’s no reasoning with a demon dragonrider like her.”

“I’m afraid you’re right,” Hiker stated with an edge to his voice. “I’ve met many a demon dragonrider in my day. Some are selfish. Some will abuse their powers to get what they want. Then there are ones like Versalee who are crazed with evil and diabolical.”

“She remind you of anyone?” Ainsley asked him.

Hiker nodded bitterly. “All too well of my brother, Thad Reinhart.”

“By definition, shouldn’t all leaders of the evil demon dragonriders be corrupt?” Evan asked.

“Maybe,” Hiker allowed. “In the past, demon dragonriders either laid low or created tyranny depending on who their leader was. Everything always depends on leadership.”

“Which is why we’re in such good hands,” Evan gushed.

Wilder coughed, and it sounded very much like, “Suck up.”

“Yeah, I want to believe that under the right leadership,” Sophia began while ignoring the guys’ banter, “the Rogue Riders could contribute to the world order by governing mortal criminals, rather than by exploiting and benefiting from them.”

“Do you also want to believe that the Earth is flat, Pink Princess?” Evan asked in a teasing tone. “Because there’s reality, and there’s fiction.”

“You’re fiction,” Wilder quipped before returning his focus to Sophia. “I think you’re right. The demon dragonriders were created for a reason. They have to have a purpose.”

“Regardless, they’re ruining our good name.” Hiker strode around his desk looking individually at each of the riders. “The world simply sees dragonriders creating problems and doesn’t know that it’s not us, the Dragon Elite.”

“Was this a problem in the past?” Sophia asked. “When there were Rogue Riders under Thad Reinhart?”

Hiker shook his head. “No, because the world knew there were two groups. We’d been around for a long time, and things were established. In these times, we’ve simply popped up and have battled with reputation from the beginning thanks to stigma and the mortal world easing back into seeing magic after so long.”

“So it seems there’s an opportunity for education,” Sophia offered.

“I agree,” Hiker stated. “Evan and Wilder, I want you to continue on one of the goodwill campaigns you worked on in the past. We need to make ourselves known as the Dragon Elite. I’ll send out a press release stating that we have nothing to do with the Rogue Riders and don’t condone their behavior and crimes.”

“I can help you to craft it and get it out to the other magical races,” Ainsley offered.

Hiker nodded without looking at her at his back. “Thank you. That would be helpful.” He turned his attention to Mahkah, who was beside the door, standing straight, his chin high. “I want you back on adjudication missions.” Hiker pointed at a stack of files on his desk. “I have a few cases that have come in recently, and that way our actions will follow my words. We will try to bring justice and peace to the world, whereas I suspect the Rogue Riders are doing the exact opposite.”

Sophia drummed her fingers on her knee while thinking. “So the Rogue Riders aren’t a new society of dragonriders?”

Hiker shook his head. “I’d guess the shared consciousness of the dragons informed them of the organization that was started centuries before, and they took the name.”

“What did they do in the past?” Sophia asked.

“It depended but it was usually self-serving,” Hiker answered.

“Was it always composed of demon dragonriders?” Sophia continued to question.

Hiker thought for a moment. “Yes, as far as I’m aware.”

“What happened to all of them?” Sophia drummed her fingers on her knee, feeling like she was on the brink of understanding something if she drilled down a little more.

“Well, under Thad’s leadership, unfortunately we had to kill many of them,” Hiker stated, regret in his voice. He shook his head, his blond hair knocking him in the eye. “He didn’t leave me any choice in the matter. Thad couldn’t be reasoned with and had to be stopped. Killing our own has never been my first option.”

Evan drew in a loud breath. “I agree with that sentiment as despicable as those guys on the island were. I tried not to kill any, but they left me no choice.”

The other dragonriders agreed with nods.

“At one point,” Hiker stated, “most of the demon dragonriders fled from Thad’s Rogue Riders, knowing they were fighting his war and weren’t going to win it. Demon dragonriders have always scattered, preferring to be drifters and loners on their own if not led by someone like Thad.”

“I know that Thad went after some for their dragons,” Sophia began slowly, as though trying to work out her question, “but there had to be a lot. More than he could have wiped out. What happened to all of them?”

Hiker blinked at the question as if he hadn’t expected it and was broadsided. “I honestly thought they did their own thing, keeping to themselves. I was shocked when I learned there were no more out there once we returned to the waking world when mortals could see magic once more.”

Sophia let out a long breath. “That doesn’t make any sense though. Like, Thad went after some, but according to the Complete History of Dragonriders, there were quite a few demon dragonriders after the Great War.”

“It doesn’t say what happened to them?” Mahkah questioned.

“No. It cuts off after then.”

“Doesn’t sound very complete,” Evan observed.

Sophia laughed. “I think because the House of Fourteen—or rather the House of Seven then—rewrote history, that the Complete History of Dragonriders paused, not knowing how it should tell the events. I suspect that it’s sorting out the details now and will write those chapters soon, once things settle down on the timeline.”

Wilder shook his head. “A book that writes itself. That’s impressive.”

“It records events,” Hiker imparted. “I suspect you’re right, Sophia, and the book was confused. To your point, it is curious that demon dragonriders disappeared seemingly overnight, but we were locked here, and it seemed that they probably got themselves killed off.”

“I think it would be worth looking into what happened to them,” Sophia stated. “We know that Thad was the last one from the old generation. Maybe if we find out what killed off the rest…”

“We can find that and use it again?” Evan jokingly supplied.

Sophia smirked but shook her head. “No, we can figure out what went wrong the first time.”

“Why?” Hiker arched an eyebrow at her, a deep curiosity in his gaze.

“Because we were almost extinct,” Sophia began, trying to piece everything together in her head as she spoke. “It started with us warring with each other, the angel and demon dragonriders. It feels like that’s where we’re heading once more. Magicians loathe us right now. Tensions are high. Mortals don’t trust us. We’re fighting to stay alive against our own. What if history repeats itself? There are only so many of us left and no more dragon eggs to replace us.”

“Are you offering to dig into this matter?” Hiker asked. “Can you figure out the missing part of history?”

Sophia nodded with determination. This felt right—the most logical next thread to pull. “Yes, and I know exactly where to look. It’s through understanding what went wrong in the past that we correct the future. We have to figure out what went wrong and fix it this time.”

CHAPTER FOUR

In Los Angeles, Sophia was used to steady warm temperatures. If constant was what she wanted, Scotland offered that, reminding Sophia of her childhood hometown. However, it wasn't nonstop sunny weather in Scotland, but rather the persistent rains. At least Sophia knew what to expect day in and day out—rain.

Sophia didn't have a predictable job, so having predictable weather was nice, even constant showers. She didn't mind it so much. It was humbling, and Lunis had explained the weather in Scotland was chosen by the first generation of dragons as their home because they believed it made them hardy, but more importantly, it strengthened their riders. Only the tough could ride on the cutting winds with their heads held high, and their shoulders braced against the cold.

The rain had let up for the time being when Sophia stepped out onto the Expanse of the Gullington after the meeting in Hiker's office. However, she didn't delude herself into thinking that meant the sun would break free from the blanket of thick clouds and bask the grounds in rays of golden light. It merely meant that she wouldn't get drenched during her meeting with Lunis.

The blue dragon flew down from his new place, a cave opening beside the Nest known as the Pad. It wasn’t cold and damp like the Cave with the elder dragons. Nor was it filled with dragonettes like the Nest. It was all Lunis’ and pimped out to his taste with surround-sound speakers, tons of electronics, snacks, and a cozy bed for him to sprawl out on.

Lunis landed on the soft ground beside Sophia with a new serenity on his face. They were quiet for a long moment, not even greeting each other but rather soaking in each other’s presence without words.

Finally, Sophia said, “So, the new place—”

“It’s incredible!” Lunis exclaimed, cutting her off, his tone vibrating with excitement. “I couldn’t sleep. There were so many fun things to check out. I have a Nintendo Switch now and don’t need your stupid phone or to rely on my cracked iPad that you got me secondhand from Liv—”

“You’re welcome,” Sophia said dryly.

“Then I got a stomachache from eating too many spicy Cheetos,” Lunis continued.

“Which is why you have cheese dust under your claws,” Sophia observed after glancing down at the dragon’s feet.

“I took a long soak and finally fell asleep listening to rock music at full volume, without a care in the world for waking the baby dragons who haven’t let me have a good night’s rest since they defiled my world with their repugnant existence.” Lunis finished with a dreamy quality in his green eyes.

“You get that the new generation is supremely important and the world’s future rests on their existence and growth,” Sophia blandly stated.

Lunis gave her a dismissive look. “Whatever. It doesn’t mean I have to like them.”

“Well, I’m glad you like the Pad and that you’re able to have your space and quiet,” Sophia offered.

“By quiet, you mean I blared Metallica until my ears bled.”

“Metallica, eh?” Sophia questioned, surprised. “That’s a bit different than your usual pop music choices.”

“I’m in a particularly angsty mood, displaying my independence from the colony.”

Sophia nodded, enjoying the cool mist laced in the wind that swept across the Expanse. A few dragonettes flying low in the sky followed it, gaining height as they headed for the Barrier.

“They’re leaving.” Sophia indicated the almost full-grown dragons.

Lunis nodded. “That’s the second group today. They’re ready, it seems. Or they’re bored without me around the Nest for them to annoy.”

“See? You forced them to spread their wings by moving out of the Nest.” Sophia laughed.

Lunis gave her an irritated look. “Your puns know no bounds.”

“You’re welcome.”

“No, they really should. Leave the puns to me. I’m better at them. You’re the pretty one. I’m the funny one. Let’s not step on each other’s roles.”

Sophia shook her head. “I won’t be confined. You do you, boo. I’ll do me.”

He rolled his eyes at this. “Leave the hip talk to me too. Otherwise, you’ll get all this shade thrown at you, and it will be big yikes.”

“You’re straight up trippin’. I totes know the current hip slang,” Sophia argued.

Lunis shook his head. “You’re so cringy, you potato.”

“What are you even saying right now?”

“You not understanding the current lingo of the zoomer generation is a ‘you’ problem,” Lunis said smugly but playfully winked at Sophia.

She laughed and pointed at the Barrier where the dragons were about to fly through. “Do you think they’ll return?”

“Yes. I think they’ll return with riders.”

Sophia smiled wide. “So it begins.” She glanced around at the Expanse and the Pond in the distance. “Our once quiet little home is about to get a lot busier.”

Lunis nodded, suddenly turning mildly serious. “Soak it in while you can because I have a feeling that when the new generation of dragonriders come to the Gullington, things will become more complex. More than that, I think our roles will be more demanding.”

CHAPTER FIVE

The founders’ ancient language danced under Sophia’s fingertips as she ran them over the walls in the entryway of the House of Fourteen. The gold lettering swirled and sparkled like it was coming alive from Sophia’s touch. She couldn’t read it since she wasn’t a Warrior or Councilor for the House of Fourteen, but many of those who were didn’t know the language either. It was something that they inherently could understand, but had to work at—like many abilities in life.

What do you say? Sophia wondered to herself, half-expecting Lunis to pop into her head with a sarcastic answer.

She didn’t mind that she’d never become a Warrior for the House of Fourteen, taking the position that Liv at first fulfilled until she was old enough. Liv was the perfect Warrior, and Sophia was destined to be a dragonrider. However, now and again, she longed to know the secrets that only Warriors and Councilors knew, like how to read the founders’ ancient language.

Deciding to push the thoughts out of her head, Sophia shrugged. Oh, well. I guess I’ll never decipher the ancient language, and that’s okay.

“As I once said,” a voice sang at Sophia’s back and startled her. She thought she’d been alone.

She didn’t see anyone when she first spun, but then her eyes found the small unassuming black and white cat sitting at the far end of the long corridor. Plato smirked at her.

“Ignorance, the root and stem of all evil,” the lynx continued.

Sophia narrowed her eyes and tilted her head. “Where did that come from? That bit about ignorance? Were you in my head, hearing me give up about ever understanding the ancient language?”

The cat strode in her direction with his tail high in the air, its white tip flicking from side to side. “I have no idea what you mean.”

Sophia sighed. “Why would I ever need to read the ancient language? Liv can if I ever need information. It’s not like I need it to control the House of Fourteen. What they do is separate from the issues the Dragon Elite faces.”

“If you do not take an interest in the affairs of your government, you are doomed to live under the rule of fools,” Plato imparted, a sneaky grin under his whiskers.

“Why are you quoting the philosopher, Plato?”

His light expression disappeared. “I’m not. That man quoted me.”

Sophia nodded, realizing she should have expected this. “I know that Lorenzo Rosario and Bianca Montavani on the council for the House of Fourteen are corrupt. Probably that newbie Marty Martinez too. I think they’re mostly harmless, trying to benefit personally from their public positions.”

“Don’t you think they’ll be intimidated by anyone or anything that stands to steal that power?”

“Well, of course. It’s been a constant struggle with the council to accept the Dragon Elite. They don’t like what we represent or that it outranks their authority in the world. I’m certain that things are tense with the Rogue Riders out there giving us a bad name.”

“I can assure you that they are.”

Sophia sighed. “Yeah, well, I’ll have to deal with that soon, but I’m not sure how.”

“Good actions give strength to ourselves and inspire good actions in others,” Plato stated sagely.

“So serve through example,” she replied, a doubtful edge in her voice as though she were trying to unravel the threads of wisdom Professor Plato dangled in front of her. How was it that she felt like the feline playing with a string in that scenario?

He nodded.

“I guess,” Sophia replied. “It’s hard to do that and not react in other ways, defending the Dragon Elite. Fighting for our good name.”

“Oh, but we’re twice-armed if we fight with faith.”

Sophia stuck her hands on her hips. “Are you going to keep answering me with lines of Plato, the philosopher, who apparently plagiarized them from you, although the whole timeline of that hurts my head and confounds me?”

“In the words of the great Confucius,” Plato began, “the man who asks a question is a fool for a minute. The man who does not ask is a fool for life.”

Pretending not to be amused by her sister’s familiar, Sophia batted her eyelashes at Plato. “Well, here’s a question you probably won’t answer. How is it that I’m supposed to find the Rogue Riders so that I can stop them from doing whatever they’re doing and therefore protect the Dragon Elite’s reputation?”

Sophia firmly believed she’d hear another Plato quote, or maybe one from another famous philosopher. However, Plato replied, “When I’m looking for a mouse, I don’t search for the rodents. Instead, I seek their cheese. When I find that, it’s not long until I locate my prey.”

A laugh popped out of Sophia’s mouth. “When have you ever eaten a mouse?”

Plato didn’t at all appear impressed. “That’s the takeaway from my advice that I obviously shouldn’t have given you?”

Sophia wiped the laughing expression off her face, becoming suddenly serious. “No, and thank you. I get what you’re saying. I need to go after what the Rogue Riders are interested in—criminals. Still, there are so many in the world. How am I supposed to find them, and how am I supposed to know which ones? Then there’s how am I supposed to—”

“There is no harm in repeating a good thing,” Plato interrupted, quoting once more. “Unless it’s the blasted question of how. I trust you know someone who can help you find criminals and figure out which ones will be best to target.”

Sophia nodded while chewing on her lip. “Yeah, I have a few resources.” Her eyes lifted to meet Plato’s. “Thanks for the tip. It’s a good idea to find the Rogue Riders by going after their own. Now I have to figure out how to get the world to trust us again, which will be difficult since our job as the Dragon Elite always makes enemies for us.”

“When men speak ill of thee,” Plato began, “live so nobody may believe them.”

Sophia thought about this notion. “I think that strategy involves a long game. For the time being, the world isn’t buying everything we have to say, even if it’s the truth.”

Plato nodded with understanding. “No one is more hated than he who speaks the truth.”

“You know,” Sophia mused. “You had some pretty good lines.”

“Had?” he questioned, raising an eyebrow.

Sophia nodded. “Had. Have. You get the point. Anyway, I was looking for information on the history of the old demon dragonriders. You wouldn’t happen to be willing to fill me in on it?” There was a hopeful edge in Sophia’s voice.

“Your first inclination to seek out your brother for the information was right.”

Sophia lowered her chin. “You’re not allowed in my head.”

Plato sauntered past her and wiggled his tail in the air. “Get on the list of those who tell me what I’m not allowed to do.”

“Fine,” Sophia seethed. “Stay in my head. Don’t tell me about lost history. Still, maybe you’ll impart something.”

Plato turned, seemingly willing to entertain one last question.

“Did the philosopher, Plato, steal all your words?” Sophia asked. “Or was he real at all?”

“He was,” Plato answered. “He had one original quote.”

Sophia gave the lynx an expression that said, “Go on then.”

“He was a wise man who invented beer,” Plato stated and vanished without a trace.

CHAPTER SIX

Sophia found herself laughing as the lynx disappeared, leaving her alone once more in the entry hall of the House of Fourteen.

Plato had been strangely helpful, giving Sophia the idea of going after the criminals of the world to find the Rogue Riders. That was still a lofty goal and a little overwhelming, but she had some ideas to make the monumental task a little easier.

She didn’t like it one bit that Plato could poke into her head, but Sophia also recognized that trying to keep one of the most powerful entities on Earth out of her mind was a waste of her time. Instead, she focused her attention on finding Clark, who she knew wasn’t at the apartment since she’d already stopped by there on her way over. There also wasn’t a meeting happening in the Chamber of the Tree for another hour.

Thankfully for Sophia, Clark was a creature of habit. He wasn’t at the apartment he shared with Liv and Stefan, so he was somewhere in the House of Fourteen. Her brother wasn’t the type to hang out at coffee shops or taverns on his time off.

For starters, there wasn’t really time off for Clark. There was merely the in-between when he slept, ate, and got ready. Also, he wasn’t the type to hang out. Living with Liv had softened him up a little and now and then he’d chill on the sofa. However, Liv had argued that while they were vegging and watching Netflix, he was quietly plotting out his ten-year plan, finessing it to the smallest detail.

After checking a few of Clark’s usual haunts, Sophia realized exactly where to find her brother and wondered how she hadn’t guessed that first. Her feet brought her up to the House of Fourteen’s top level, where one of the best and strangest parts of the building resided—the library.

The library in the House of Fourteen wasn’t as majestic as the Great Library, which held every book ever written and instantly updated with new editions as they occurred. However, it had mostly all magical books, which made it a fascinating place to visit. The books were alive in one regard, due to the magic they held, and therefore the volumes greatly influenced their home.

Finding Clark in such a big area usually would have been difficult, but the library in the House of Fourteen, much like the Castle, responded to people’s thoughts. That’s how one found the book they were looking for or found themselves completely lost, depending on how they directed their thoughts. All someone had to do was think about what—or in this case who—they were looking for, and the library would rearrange itself accordingly to lead the searcher to the right aisle, row, and book.

However, patrons in the library had to be diligent because their thoughts led them to what they were looking for, but those were fickle things that often changed without warning. One small diversion in thoughts and someone could go from being led to a book on shrinking spells to finding themselves shrunk and stuck in the belly of a beast. Magic was a tricky thing, and even those who understood it well knew better than to think they could fully understand it all.

Moreover, the library didn’t hold up signs that led the way to whatever a person was looking for. On its path to continue to be tricky, the library offered clues on where to go and the person following them had to be on the lookout, following the right direction and not getting fooled.

Clark, Sophia thought to herself. Where is Clark?

“Beaufont,” she hastily added. “The person.” She didn’t want to go to a shrine for Clark Gable or books on Dick Clark. Both of whom were magicians, but few knew that.

“I need to find my brother, Clark Beaufont,” she said to the quiet library that seemed to go on for miles.

She did her best not to focus on the overwhelming size of the place or the many other things vying for her attention. Her job was to stay focused.

Sophia closed her eyes and clearly saw her brother’s face in her mind. She focused on that, as if his flesh-and-blood body stood in front of her right then. Her foot moved forward without her consent.

Her eyes sprang open, and she almost wished they hadn’t as the library spun all around her, turning into a blur and making her instantly dizzy. Although she was used to spiraling through the air on her dragon, the rotating library made her sick—probably because it was unnatural to her, she reasoned. Nothing was more natural than to fly through the air on her dragon.

Libraries that spun on their own, well, that was by far a more unnerving experience, especially because Sophia didn’t know what to expect when it quit moving. All she could do was remain still, hoping that one of the many shelves of books speeding by her didn’t knock her over or flatten her with the speed at which they moved. Also, Sophia was well aware that moving even an inch could mean she walked out a window at the back of the whirling library and fell to her death.

The House of Fourteen’s library patrons risked their lives every time they ventured to find a book. Such were the dangers one faced when searching for one of the greatest treasures in the world—knowledge.

Sophia was about to close her eyes again when she noticed the spinning slow, as though she was at the center of a disc that rotated itself to a stop. She drew in a breath, expecting to see an aisle in front of her that led to another one, then a set of clues and more spinning. Instead, she found herself face-to-face with her brother, who started and screamed as he fell backward, stumbling onto his backside and hands.

CHAPTER SEVEN

Sophia stopped herself from laughing at her spooked brother, who was all white as his chest heaved. He must have been tracking unsuspectingly through the library, reading the book he’d since dropped on the floor, and suddenly found himself nose-to-nose with Sophia. It would have scared most anyone, but Clark was also a little more excitable than many. It didn’t take much to make him reach for an anti-anxiety potion.

Clark was still on his tailbone, looking up at Sophia from the floor as though trying to decide if she were real or an apparition.

She extended a hand to him as she smiled sensitively. “Sorry that I scared you. I blame the library.”

He nodded and looked around, trying to get his bearings. “It stuck you right in front of me. You must have really focused on finding me.”

She smiled. “I’m glad it worked, and so efficiently. Yes, I need your help with something and thought you could save me the time of looking.”

A forced chuckle fell from Clark’s mouth as he took Sophia’s hand and allowed her to haul him up to his feet. “You don’t seem to have any difficulty finding things, or me, in this case.”

Sophia nearly threw Clark into the air when she lifted him to his feet, forgetting how light he was. Unlike the other dragonriders she was used to sparring with, who were all muscle, Clark was rather skinny and hunched over most of the time, making him close to her short height. However, where Clark was weak in strength, he was strong in knowledge. Sophia’s brother had to be one of the smartest people she knew, and that was saying quite a lot since she knew the brightest in the world.

“Are you all right?” Sophia looked her brother over when he was on his feet.

He pressed his starched suit down as if it had been wrinkled in the ordeal, although it looked as flawless as when he probably ironed it that morning. Clark couldn’t be any more different from the T-shirt and jeans-wearing Liv. They were complete opposites, and for that, Sophia was grateful that they had each other.

Liv made Clark cut loose and eat ice cream in bed, and Clark reminded Liv that she couldn’t leave the empty container on the floor afterward or they’d attract ants. Sophia was the luckiest of the three because she had the best sister and brother that anyone could ask for. She might have lost her parents and Ian and Reese, but she was still so rich in life, and she never wanted to forget that. At the end of the day, it wasn’t about what someone lost, but about how much they loved that which they had.

“I’m fine.” The crease between Clark’s eyes deepened as he looked Sophia over. “Are you? Is this about the Council?”

Sophia blinked at him. “What about the Council?”

“Their request for your attendance at today’s meeting,” he said with surprise as if he thought she was already aware of this.

She shook her head. “I wasn’t aware that they’d paged me.”

“Oh, so that’s not what this is about then?”

Sophia folded her arms over her chest. “Let me guess. The Council is pissed about all the trouble the Rogue Riders are making?”

Clark nodded solemnly. “I’m sure you can reassure them that it’s all under control.”

“I can lie,” Sophia joked, which didn’t get a laugh from her brother whereas Liv would have thought it was funny.

“Beaufonts don’t lie,” he warned, his tone punishing.

“Of course I won’t.” The playfulness disappeared from her tone. “I don’t think I have much to offer that will make the Council feel better. The Dragon Elite aren’t lying down, that’s for sure. That’s why I’m here. I need your help with filling in the history, and since you pretty much memorized the Forgotten Archives, I thought you could save me the trouble of doing the research.”

Clark perked up. Now Sophia was speaking his language. Talking about books was how Clark kept himself calm. It was his Prozac. “Yes, I’ve read through the Forgotten Archives a few times. What can I help you with?”

Sophia sighed with relief. “Oh, good. I thought so. You see, I think the best way to keep the dragonriders from repeating history is to figure out what went wrong in the past. It should be recorded in the Complete History of Dragonriders, but there’s a lag on the information.”

“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 dragonriders 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.”

“Ms. Beaufont!” Lorenzo yelled, his eyes bulging slightly. “You’ve been dismissed. The Council has had enough of your interruptions.”

“I think that when it comes to word usage, I can be of help,” Liv argued, mischief in her voice. “I mean, you yourself said I was the queen of negotiations.”

“I didn’t say that,” Lorenzo fired back.

“Potato, potato,” she replied, saying both words the same way. “Anyway, what I’m great at is getting separate societies to understand each other, like giants and gnomes. It’s a family thing, I think, because Soph here is a master arbitrator. If you’re referring to a collective organization as having a single hand—”

“That is quite enough,” Bianca interrupted, her cheeks flushing red.

Liv looked like she’d had enough, having gotten the Councilor flustered. “Okey-dokey.”

“You’re dismissed,” Lorenzo stated.

“Yeah, but I’m taking my sister to lunch, so I should stick around,” Liv argued. “I saved money on breakfast so I can buy her nachos.”

“If you’re going to stay, then we’re going to require that you’re quiet.” Lorenzo glared down at Liv.

“I can do that,” Liv sang, rocking forward on her toes and back again on her heels.

“I’ll believe it when I see it,” Bianca retorted arrogantly.

“Technically,” Liv drew out the word. “You would believe it when you heard it, or rather when you didn’t hear anything.”

“Ms. Beaufont, will you stop making a mockery of these meetings?” Lorenzo questioned, his expression severe.

Liv pretended to zip her lips closed and threw the imaginary key over her shoulder. She then bowed as though giving the floor back to the Council.

Sophia had trouble hiding her laughter. From the looks of it, so did Hester, Raina, and Clark. However, their brother’s reaction was more brooding disapproval. He never appreciated it when Liv acted out at meetings, which Sophia could have told him only encouraged her.

“Ms. Beaufont.” Lorenzo turned his attention to Sophia.

“That one is a Miss,” Stefan interrupted the Councilor.

“Although I think it would be more appropriate to call her by her title.” Hester nodded at Stefan.

“Yes,” Raina agreed. “That would be Rider Beaufont.”

Lorenzo appeared ready to come unglued, his eyes growing wide. Liv hadn’t said a word, as she promised, but she’d done her job and encouraged others to copy her defiant behavior. “Titles aren’t our concern here.”

“They should be,” Haro Takahashi corrected. “Titles are a form of respect and if we, as the Councilors, don’t honor the importance of prestigious roles such as those held by dragonriders, then I think we set ourselves up for a whole host of problems.”

“Quite right,” Clark affirmed. “How are we supposed to demand the respect we deserve if we don’t offer that same thing to others?”

Lorenzo sighed. “Can we all focus on the matter at hand? The dragonriders are creating problems on a global scale.”

Bianca nodded adamantly while holding up a report. “That’s correct. Crime is up worldwide, reaching unprecedented levels. It isn’t even the demon dragonriders that are the biggest contributors to this trend, directly, although they are responsible for much of it. The real problem seems to be that criminals are now under the protection of dragonriders, making it impossible for mortal police to quell the rise.”

Marty shook his head, staring down at Sophia. “How do you respond to the allegations, Rider Beaufont?”

Sophia had to give it to the newbie to the House of Fourteen. At least he called her by the right title, even if he talked to her like she was a toddler.

“The important distinction here is that these criminal offenses and the spike in misconducts aren’t the results of dragonriders in general,” Sophia began, her chin high and voice clear and loud. “It’s the result of a new or rather existing organization that’s reformed known as the Rogue Riders.”

“Which is comprised of demon dragonriders, isn’t that correct?” Haro asked.

“Yes, but—”

“Which supports the case that Nevin Gooseman made against the demon dragonriders,” Bianca interrupted Sophia.

“Nevin Gooseman was a madman,” Sophia argued. “He went to dangerous lengths to try and take out the Dragon Elite.”

“Although we can all agree that Nevin Gooseman wasn’t of sound mind and went to extremes, he might have been right regarding his concerns about the demon dragonriders,” Marty stated.

“He wasn’t,” Sophia countered through clenched teeth.

“Are there any demon dragonriders that serve on the Elite?” Lorenzo asked.

“Well, no, but—”

“Your mission as the Dragon Elite is to protect justice,” Lorenzo cut in. “What do these Rogue Riders do?”

“Besides cause mayhem.” Bianca harrumphed.

“They’ve taken on the role of governing criminals,” Sophia answered and immediately regretted it. The stir this admission caused across the Council was abrupt. There were sounds of protest, whispering, and plenty of sighs and groans.

“Well, no wonder the world is out of control,” Bianca said shrilly over the commotion.

“The new generation of demon dragonriders do need to learn boundaries,” Sophia began. “The Dragon Elite are working on it, but like a rebellious teenager, the Rogue Riders might need to make mistakes before they listen to reason.”

“Likening magicians who ride on dragons to teenagers is exactly where the Dragon Elite is failing the world at large,” Lorenzo criticized.

“They’re young and inexperienced though,” Sophia stated, careful to keep her chin up although she felt the pressure from every direction and it made her feel so small. “These new demon dragonriders have a lot of sudden power, and it has gone to their heads, but we’re hopeful that we can control them.”

“When?” Marty asked at once, on the heels of Sophia’s statement. “When they’ve already destroyed the world? When do you plan on intervening and taking control of these teenagers, as you call them?”

Note to self, Lunis said in Sophia’s head. Marty needs me to torch his pants.

Sophia refrained from laughing but silently agreed. The real answer to Marty’s question was as soon as they could locate the Rogue Riders, but that would only make her and the Dragon Elite sound even more like they didn’t have things under control. She needed to fix that perception even if it wasn’t entirely accurate. Hopefully, soon it would be, and the Dragon Elite would be on their way to governing the Rogue Riders.

“We pushed the Rogue Riders out of the elfin homeland,” Sophia began with confidence. “And—”

“What lands are they taking over now, I wonder?” Bianca interrupted.

Sophia held her breath, reminding herself that murder was wrong even if the person was begging for it. She nearly laughed out loud, thinking that Liv’s proximity must be inspiring her naughty behavior and rebellious humor.

“I’m not aware of any lands that the Rogue Riders have commandeered,” Sophia replied when she was sure she was in control of her temper, her tone neutral. “When the Dragon Elite kicked them off the elfin territory, we made it clear that they weren’t to take over lands that didn’t belong to them.”

“So instead they’re running a crime ring.” Lorenzo huffed.

“They’ve elected themselves as the ones to govern the criminal world,” Sophia corrected.

“Which shouldn’t be governed at all, as if criminals deserve rights like nations and citizens,” Bianca said. “They need to be locked up, and instead they’re being encouraged.”

“I agree!” Marty exclaimed.

Lorenzo nodded.

This was the problem with the Council, Sophia observed. The others who were more objective and voted based on justice—Clark, Raina, Hester, and sometimes Haro—were the quietest. Yes, they listened and contemplated whereas the others were reactionary, their agenda already formed based on their greedy desires. However, the Council couldn’t have any balance as long as the “good” ones didn’t have the same level of voice.

“I disagree,” Sophia stated, making everyone freeze. They hadn’t expected her to argue this point, but rather that the Dragon Elite were doing their job.

“The Rogue Riders might be new, and they need to learn boundaries,” Sophia began, looking each of the Councilors in the eyes. “However, I applaud the initiative they’ve taken.”

“You do?” It was Clark who asked this, quickly followed by Liv. She’d surprised her siblings, which meant the others were probably totally perplexed.

Not allowing herself to become flustered by the reaction she’d gotten, Sophia nodded. “I do. Policing horrible crimes such as murder and the like should happen. The mortal police’s biggest concern should be going after those who brutally harm others. However, it’s unrealistic to think that we’ll ever control all crime.”

“Spoken like a true underachiever,” Marty spat.

Bianca nodded. “And she’s a part of the Dragon Elite who want us to bow to them as a higher authority. If this isn’t proof that we shouldn’t, then I don’t know what is.”

“We have the support of Mother Nature,” Sophia argued.

“So you say,” Marty retorted.

“I do say, because it’s true.” Sophia narrowed her gaze at the man who so boldly questioned her honesty. “I stand by what I said. We can’t abolish all crime, and the Rogue Riders have had the good sense to realize that. Yes, they’re going about it the wrong way by capitalizing on the crimes, but there’s something to be learned. If we try and blot out all illegal activity, then the criminals of the world will find a way around our laws. Isn’t it better to keep tabs on the drug users of the world and make them pay into the system rather than hide under the radar where we can’t do anything about them?”

“She has a point,” Hester said, musing on the idea.

“Oh, you can’t be serious!” Bianca challenged. “Now we’re going to condone working with criminals?”

“I’ve been doing it for ages,” Liv admitted.

“Why am I not surprised,” Lorenzo stated dryly.

“It’s true,” Liv chirped. “There’s a slew of gnomes who used to trade illegal magical artifacts on the black market. The stuff was usually harmless, but now and then, something really dangerous got traded. When they thought I was going to shut them down, they ran every time they saw me. It was only when I told them I wouldn’t close their business as long as they adhered to some rules that we found an even ground. Now I stop in every so often to ensure the products are up to snuff and only sold to those who know what they’re getting.”

“So you’re admitting to aiding illegal activity as a Warrior who has vowed to stop such things?” Bianca questioned.

“I pick my battles,” Liv corrected. “In return, the gnomes don’t shut me out, and when I need a favor, they’re receptive.” She turned and winked at Stefan. “Like when I need negotiations with giants to go smoothly, I’ll have the right people on my side.”

He nodded and released some of the tension from before.

Clark combed his hand over his chin, thinking. “This idea has merit. I mean, the mortal world saw its fair share of problems with the war on drugs. It did little to curb the problem. The dealers and users found other means.”

“Exactly,” Sophia said, keen to keep the excitement from her voice after getting the extra support from her siblings. They needed to remain professional and not like they were banding together merely out of nepotism. “It’s not like we should allow bad things to happen, but we have to ask ourselves, just because something is against the law, does it make it wrong? Many things are wrong that aren’t against the law, like lying and being mean to one another. I believe that in an ideal world, we could have some order in the criminal world so that things ran smoother. Criminals don’t pay taxes, but if they were allowed to operate on some level, well, then they would. Think about all the horrible crimes we could prevent if a group of dragonriders had insight into what was happening on the black market level. We might avoid all sorts of things.”

“So is this what the Rogue Riders are doing?” Haro asked.

Sophia bit her lip. “It’s what they should be doing. However, they’re a bit out of control.”

Bianca laughed. “A bit out of control? They’re encouraging crime, not regulating it.”

To Sophia’s dismay, she couldn’t argue with that. “I realize that. However, we’re going to get them under control. That’s our responsibility as the world adjudicators and the supreme governing body.”

Lorenzo shook his head and leaned forward. “You want to keep throwing around that title, but it’s high time you showed us that you deserve it. The rest of the magical races are fed up with the dragonriders, having suffered from things done to them by the Rogue Riders. We’re your last hope. If we turn our backs on you, you’ll find a war on your hands.”

“Is that a threat?” Sophia was surprised at how serious this had gotten. And fast.

Lorenzo tilted his head, not backing down. “It is. The Dragon Elite better figure out how to get the Rogue Riders and demon dragonriders under control. Otherwise, we’ll have to intervene, and I fear it won’t end well for you all.”

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Sophia stared angrily at the thali platter that sat between her and Liv on the table in the Indian restaurant called Anarbagh in Woodland Hills. It was off their usual beaten path, but Liv had said she had a craving and nothing else would do. Not caring what they ate or even if she did, Sophia went along, simply wanting to get as far from the House of Fourteen as she possibly could.

“Can you believe him? That stupid lizard-licking toad, Lorenzo.” Sophia narrowed her eyes at the naan, which had done nothing to deserve her hate except sit there like little pillows of goodness, ready to soak up the extra spicy makhani sauce.

Liv also didn’t look as keen about eating as Sophia, although she was the one who insisted they come out to this particular spot. She nibbled on a piece of papadam and gave Sophia a sympathetic expression. “I think I can believe that behavior from Lorenzo. Your problem is in expecting perfectly unreasonable people with egos the size of a dragon’s fart to react to complications in the world in a perfectly reasonable way.”

Sophia scooped rice onto her plate to give herself something to do with her restless hands. “Yeah, there was my mistake. And I don’t think dragons fart. They’re way too civilized for that.”

Liv leveled her gaze at her sister. “Your dragon once burped the entire chorus of Hotel California for me.”

“That’s a classy song,” Sophia argued. “I mean, it’s not like he burped Baby Got Back.”

“No, that was later,” Liv joked. “I’ve had enough experience with Lorenzo and the dumb Council to know that they overreact when there are problems in the world. It’s like they think that we should be all dancing around totem poles and singing kumbaya by now.” She stuck her nose up, doing her Bianca impersonation. “Why are there still problems with the trolls? How are they even still alive? Why don’t the elves do what we say? Why yes, I look like I’m sitting on a pine cone.”

Sophia laughed, wondering if Liv’s sudden shrill voice entertained anyone else in the restaurant. No one in the other booths seemed to notice them as the waiter brought over another platter of food. The man had seemed hesitant when the sisters ordered so much, and Sophia had looked forward to showing him that he underestimated the wrong set of sisters but viewing the spread on the table, she had her doubts. Neither of them had touched much of it.

“The problems in the world are never going to fully go away,” Sophia said through her continued laughter. “That’s the mistake in their thinking. Our job as the Dragon Elite is to arbitrate the mortal affairs, which are constantly at odds in neighboring and competing governments. The House of Fourteen’s job is to govern the magical world. It’s an endless and thankless job, but that’s the way it is. It’s not like we’ll wake up tomorrow and decide that we don’t need to eat anymore. The same is true for conflict. It’s part of life. We eat, we breathe, we sleep, we fight. Maybe in an ideal world we do the latter less, but still, without tension, there’s no growth.”

“Amen, sister,” Liv sang and eyed the new food in front of them. “Speaking of eating, you need to dig in already.”

“You’re one to talk.” Sophia looked at Liv’s empty plate. “I thought we were going for nachos.”

Liv shook her head. “I have to deal with giants, and they take the fun out of everything, so we’re going with Indian today.”

“Because Indian food isn’t as much fun?” Sophia questioned.

“It’s more serious than nachos. I mean, you can’t be angry when eating nachos. It’s simply impossible to pull apart those chips covered in cheesy goodness and have a bad attitude.”

“You can be angry when eating Indian food?” Sophia challenged.

“I think,” Liv began while taking a vegetable samosa and tearing into it, but still not taking a bite, “that you can be whatever you want when eating Indian food. You can be happy or sad or angry or indifferent, but with nachos, you can only be happy.”

Sophia studied her sister. There was something off about her. “Is this about Stefan being worried about you taking on too many cases? Is everything all right? Are you overdoing it?”

“What’s my name?” Liv replied.

Scooping vegetable masala onto her rice, Sophia laughed. “Obviously, you’re overdoing it. That’s clear to me. Why is Stefan all of a sudden protective of you?”

Liv pursed her lips and studied the food as if trying to decide what to attack next. “I don’t know. Maybe the demons have him down.”

“Isn’t that what the demons do?” Sophia joked.

In a rare “Liv” move, she pulled the bowl of mulligatawny soup toward her and went at it, spooning mouthfuls to her lips. “I don’t know. He’s going through a thing. I really am the best person for the negotiations. He’s probably tired of Netflixing with Clark at night, and who can blame him? That guy wants to watch Downton Abbey, and we both know that Stefan is more of a Lucifer kind of man. He misses me, I guess.”

Sophia couldn’t blame Stefan. Without Liv at the apartment, it was probably lonelier for both Clark and Stefan. “Is war imminent with the giants and the gnomes?”

Liv decided that she’d had enough soup, which wasn’t much, and pushed it away. She shrugged. “The gnomes and giants do this at least every century as far as I can tell. They own similar industries and fight for common resources. Every hundred years, they step on each other toes and the House has to intervene. Usually, there’s a skirmish, maybe more, but I’m working on a strategy that will hopefully avoid both. I didn’t want to unveil it today because I like it better when Lorenzo and Bianca think I’m in over my head. Then I return with the case solved, no battle wounds and a more peaceful resolution than they thought possible. It always puts them in a sour mood.”

Sophia laughed. “Wow, they really want you dead, don’t they?”

Liv was good-natured enough that she agreed with a chuckle. “Not as much as Adler Sinclair, but yeah. I mess up all their power plays.”

“Why don’t the rest of the Council members stand up to them?” Sophia dipped her naan in some sauce. “Hester, Raina, and Clark aren’t corrupt.”

Liv arched an eyebrow. “I don’t know. That Clark guy is pretty suspect. I have my eyes on him.”

Sophia laughed. “He’s our brother. You live with him.”

“Exactly. You know what they say about keeping your friends close.” Liv hid a grin.

“So Clark is your enemy now, is he?” Sophia challenged.

“He got mad at me yesterday because I forgot to tell him the plumber was coming over.”

“That seems like an overreaction.”

Liv shrugged. “Well, the guy did come in while Clark was in the shower. I thought he’d like someone to hear his singing so I sent Mr. Plumber in there unbeknownst to either him or Clark.”

“You’re wicked.”

“What can I say?” Liv poked at her uneaten samosas. “I get bored and need entertainment via torturing my friends and family.”

“How on Earth are you bored?”

“Coming from you, that’s funny,” Liv stated. “I see the way you handle your leadership role with the Dragon Elite and knock out cases and juggle all the rest. If I were a betting woman, which I’m not ever since losing a ton to some gnomes when playing Blackjack, I’d wager that you need more on your plate.”

“You’re crazy,” Sophia retorted. “I have enough to manage, and half of it I don’t know how to solve.”

Liv nodded. “That’s a good thing. If you’re ever given a case or a problem, and you’re like, I know exactly how to handle this, you probably better check out of this business because you’re finished. I think we thrive on the not-knowing aspect of all this.”

Sophia swirled raita into the makhani sauce, enjoying the way they mixed, white and red creating a subtle pink. “Good, so as long as I feel in over my head, I’m doing okay, then?”

“Exactly!” Liv affirmed. “If you find yourself doing the backstroke easily, then watch out because you’re about to get hit by a tsunami.”

Sophia laughed. “Okay, well, I’m struggling to stay afloat right now.”

“No one knows,” Liv related. “You’re making it all look easy.”

For a moment, Sophia didn’t say anything. She simply watched her sister. Liv was the one who showed signs of not staying afloat. Maybe that’s why Stefan had been worried about her and urged the Council not to give her back-to-back cases. Something was going on with Liv, but by the way she studied her food and didn’t touch it, Sophia doubted her sister would confess anything.

Maybe something more had happened with the goblins than Liv was letting on. Or perhaps the giant and gnome negotiations would be incredibly dangerous. It wasn’t that Sophia wasn’t worried for her sister. She was. That had been the case since the beginning when Liv took the role of Warrior. However, Sophia always had a quiet confidence that Liv would persevere. Still, something new in her sister made her worry that she might quit before she could win.

“Is everything okay?” Sophia began and realized that wasn’t the question that would get answers. “I mean, how can I help you out? You and Stefan recently helped the Dragon Elite with the Rogue Riders. I hoped that we could repay the favor. Do you need me to accompany you on the negotiations with the giants and gnomes? Lunis could come.”

Liv shook her head. “Gnomes are afraid of dragons ever since they started referring to them as appetizers, and giants are still offended that they never qualified for rider status due to their weight, but thanks.”

“Oh, well, I guess that makes sense. We wouldn’t want to make things harder for you. I could accompany you if you’d like. If you think I could help. I could leave Lunis at home. He’s busy anyway.”

I’m not, the blue dragon said in her head. I beat Animal Crossing on the Nintendo Switch.

That game isn’t one you beat, Sophia argued. It’s an ongoing thing.

Yet, I dominated.

Sophia nearly laughed, but then she’d have to explain that she was talking to her dragon in her head and that never went over well.

“There is something I could use your help with.” Liv pushed the plates in front of her away.

“Really?” Sophia asked, her interest piqued. “What is it? One of your cases? Research for the House of Fourteen?”

Liv shook her head. “Have you heard about a genie who once worked for King Rudolf Sweetwater?”

Surprised by the question, Sophia leaned back. “You mean Stan?”

She couldn’t believe it, but Rudolf had mentioned the genie and his interactions with him recently. It had been a very typical bizarre Rudolf conversation.

Liv slapped the table. “I knew I came to the right person. How did I know that you’d have heard about that genie?”

“Because I obviously have nothing better to do than hear Rudolf’s strange stories.”

Liv nodded. “Me too. We should get hobbies. Maybe we’ll join a bowling league.”

“I’d rather not.”

“Agreed. Anyway, I know that you’re working with Ru a lot lately for the new business and since I have to buzz off for a while, I thought you might be able to find out the location of the genie’s bottle.”

“Stan?” Sophia asked. “I think Rudolf said he dropped it in the ocean.”

“Yes, but where would be the question. I think we need specifics if we’re going to recover it.”

“Recover it?” Sophia asked.

“Yeah, it’s for a case.” Liv’s eyes slid to the side.

She’s lying to you, Lunis stated in Sophia’s head.

Liv wouldn’t do that, Sophia argued.

She would if she’s lying to herself about something, Lunis countered.

What does that mean?

She has a secret, and she’s not ready to talk about it, Lunis answered.

Like what?

Maybe she’s been poisoned again, Lunis offered, referring to the many times that Liv had tried to downplay how sick she was when recovering from some beast she should never have encountered if not doing stuff that the House shouldn’t have known about.

Maybe, Sophia admitted, looking at the many untouched plates of food on the table.

Or maybe she’s spelled not to talk about it, Lunis suggested.

That’s a possibility. Sophia studied her sister.

Finally, she said, “So you need me to find the location of the genie’s lamp? I was going to see Rudolf soon and could ask.”

Liv’s face brightened with a smile. “Thanks. That would be great. Then we need a way to recover it from the bottom of the ocean.”

“Didn’t you use a spell to pull the Forgotten Archives up from the ocean floor?” Sophia asked.

Her sister nodded. “Yeah, but it was taxing, and fishing isn’t easy.”

Sophia gave Liv a skeptical glare. Something was definitely up with her. This girl hadn’t been taxed in all her life. Deciding it was best to help without question, as she would have wanted if it was Sophia doing the asking, she simply let out a breath and thought. Finally, something occurred to her.

“Hey, Evan and Coral can swim underwater and hold their breath for long amounts of time,” Sophia offered. “Maybe they’ll help recover the genie’s bottle.”

Liv smiled, her eyes lighting up. “That would be great. Can you ask them?”

Sophia nodded. “Yeah, Evan owes me a favor or four hundred.”

Liv laughed. “That seems about right.”

Sophia lowered her chin, her face going serious for a moment. “When I recover the genie’s bottle for you, are you going to tell me what it’s for?”

Her sister reached across the table and patted the back of her hand. “Of course, Soph. I have to work out some things first. Then I can explain the details.”

Sophia knew Liv wasn’t lying with what she’d said. She also knew she was holding something back.

CHAPTER TWELVE

The desert air was anything but refreshing as it swept past Versalee’s face and tangled her hair, high on the rooftop of the Cosmopolitan Hotel and Casino. The demon dragonrider didn’t like anything about the desert. What was there to like?

However, she liked the idea of the Las Vegas Strip with all the debauchery and crime and potentials for the Rogue Riders to profit from. Once she’d secured her rightful place inside the building where she stood with Ash, her dragon, she wouldn’t know that they were in the desert. She’d only breathe in air-conditioned oxygen and be bathed in fluorescent lights.

The Rogue Riders’ leader had started with a bang, only to be momentarily defeated by the Dragon Elite. She had to give it to them. They were skillful. However, they were out of practice and conditioned to the old ways. Not only that, but they were good at their core and unwilling to do what it took to be a real dragonrider. They were born to dominate. To rule. To soar in the skies and roast the lands if they desired.

Versalee had no idea why those given majestic beasts used them to serve the weak mortals. It made no sense, and she wasn’t going to be defeated once more by the Dragon Elite. No, this time she’d sneak up on them, quietly building her army and presence until the Rogue Riders were strong enough to squash the Dragon Elite decisively. Never again would she have them ride into her territory and challenge her. She’d be the one storming into the Gullington when the time came. First, she needed an empire to rule.

Versalee pointed at the Las Vegas Strip below, traffic rushing by on the roads, bright lights flashing in the dark, the Bellagio fountains cascading, and smiled. “This is the perfect place to build the Rogue Riders’ empire.”

Beside her, his boot on the edge of the rooftop and a pursed expression on his face, Nathaniel gave Versalee an uncertain look. “I thought the Las Vegas Strip was the property of the fae. Didn’t they create it?”

Versalee shook her head. She had a lot to teach her second in command. Well, if he lasted long enough for such things. “They did us the favor of creating it. I’m not worried about taking something away from a magical race who can’t fight and only know how to indulge in drinking, eating, sleeping, and other things.”

Nathaniel scrutinized her for a moment before his eyes skipped to his green dragon, stationed close by Ash. Versalee thought that he and his dragon were probably conversing telepathically. She sensed his hesitation, which would also be his death sentence.

“What about the Dragon Elite?” Nathaniel finally asked. “They ordered us not to take over any more lands that don’t belong to us. Won’t they storm back in here and force us out? Wouldn’t it be better to find a place that’s not already taken?”

Versalee sighed and considered pushing Nathaniel over the building’s side but thought that would only cause more issues for her. Then she’d have to recruit a new number two and explain to the mortals on the streets below why a falling body had crushed someone. Instead, she shook her head and let out a calming breath.

“The Dragon Elite won’t know we’re here until we own this place,” she answered. “By that point, we’ll have such a stronghold on the Las Vegas Strip that it will be too late. Unlike with the elfin island, we’re not going to storm in and take over this city. We’ll do it stealthily. By we, I mean you.”

“Me?” Nathaniel questioned, surprise making his freckled face crease with confusion. “What about you?”

“I have other things I need to attend to. I need to secure forces that will help ensure any battles with the Dragon Elite deliver us a decisive win.”

“Forces?” Nathaniel asked. “Like what?”

“It’s better if I don’t say,” she answered at once, her tone clipped, ending that part of the conversation at once.

He nodded. “So you want the Rogue Riders to take over the city quietly?”

“That’s right. Take over the criminal rings. Infiltrate and spread our rule. The fae are cowards and will naturally shrink away when a new, stronger force comes into their city. By the time the Dragon Elite get wind of it, it will be too late. We’ll own this place. It’s the perfect place for us.”

Nathaniel’s green eyes lit up with greed. “Yeah, think of all the riches we can get here taking from the criminals.”

Versalee nodded. “When you kill the king of the fae, once we’ve taken over, be sure to thank him for setting us up with such a nice empire.”

She turned at once and strode for the orange dragon, feeling the confused expression at her back from Nathaniel. Swinging her leg over the side of her dragon, Versalee secured herself on top of Ash. Only once she had the reins in her hands did she look back at Nathaniel. As she guessed, he wore a bewildered expression.

“Me?” He pointed at his chest. “You want me to kill the king of the fae? When are you going to be back? How long will you be gone?”

She tightened her hands on the reins. “It’s hard to say. As long as it takes. Yes. I want you to do whatever it takes to secure the Las Vegas Strip as our territory. If the Dragon Elite show up, throw them off our scent. When the time comes, kill the king and show the world that we mean business.”

Versalee yanked back on the reins, making Ash back up from the edge of the building, giving them enough space for a takeoff. Her dragon tugged her head from side to side and resisted the command, but still ended up acquiescing.

“How will I get in touch with you?” Nathaniel asked. “What if I have questions?”

Versalee shook her head while commanding her dragon forward. Ash ran like a bull for the edge of the building and nearly fell off the side before springing into the air, soaring over the Las Vegas Strip and away. She looked back over her shoulder at Nathaniel left standing on the top of the Cosmopolitan. “I’ll be in touch with you. Don’t screw this up.”

With that, she soared to the west to lands that were better suited for what she was looking for—something that would make her an unstoppable force.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

At the threshold to Hiker Wallace’s study, Sophia paused and took in the strange sight of Mama Jamba watching television on a small handheld device, all curled up like a grandmother although she was much, much more.

Behind his desk and digging furiously through the drawers was Hiker, his brow furrowed with frustration.

Both Hiker and Mama Jamba seemed absorbed in their tasks, and although it was kind of nice to watch them doing their thing, Sophia felt wrong spying on them, even from such a public place as an open doorway. However, for a moment she allowed herself to lament about how these two were as close to a mother and a father as she could ever remember.

Well, it was sort of an overstatement since Mama Jamba was quite literally the mother of all. Hiker, well, he wasn’t a father at all. However, he had father-like qualities, and she had to admit that she looked up to him—both literally and figuratively.

Sophia decided to make her presence known and cleared her throat. “I have news,” she said from the doorway while knocking on the frame for good measure.

Mama Jamba didn’t look up but instead simply nodded. “They’re out of the blue ski boots. I know, it was a bummer for me too.”

Sophia narrowed her eyes at the woman as she tilted her head, trying to figure out what she was watching.

Apparently following her train of thought, Hiker motioned in Mama Jamba’s direction. “It’s some home shopping network thing she’s been watching all day. Who knows what that is or why she’s wasting her time on it.”

Sophia’s brow scrunched up more. “I know what it is but didn’t realize that was still a thing. Can’t you buy your snow boots off Amazon? Or I don’t know, manifest them?”

“I could,” Mama Jamba answered. “Where’s the fun in that?”

“Nowhere, apparently,” Hiker grumbled and continued to dig in his center desk drawer. He looked close to having his body sucked into the desk he had his arm so far in.

“What are you looking for?” Sophia asked, curious.

“My sanity,” he answered at once. “Have you seen it?”

“Not since we met,” she replied. “I don’t think it would be in there regardless.”

He pulled his arm from the drawer and stood while shaking his head. “Probably not.” He nodded in Mama Jamba’s direction. “That one knows what I’m looking for, but she isn’t talking, now is she?”

“I can, if you want me to,” Mama Jamba sang, not taking her eyes off the screen as the announcer described a thermal coat that kept out the wind and snow. “Do you want me to tell Sophia what you’re looking for?”

“Are you going to tell me where it is?” Hiker countered.

“Most likely not,” Mama Jamba answered.

“Then no,” Hiker muttered while looking around the desk, which he seemed to have destroyed in his quest for the mystery object.

“Maybe the Castle can help you find whatever you’re looking for, sir,” Sophia offered.

Hiker laughed dully. “The Castle. Why, I thought of that. The entity that’s always quick to hide my stuff and not give it back. It’s probably the Castle that has what I’m looking for and won’t give it up until I’m six feet under.”

Sophia nodded. “So I take it you tried asking, then?”

“You’d be right,” he replied, his attention off in thought before he looked up at her. “You said you had news. What is it?”

Sophia wished she had good news, especially because Hiker seemed frustrated by his current situation. However, she needed to tell him what she’d found out and hoped to then soften the blow with something light that might help, although she realized it was probably more for her morale than his.

“I found out what happened to the demon dragonriders after the Great War when the Dragon Elite stayed inside the Gullington,” Sophia said in a rush and realized that her tone gave away the grave nature of the news.

Hiker’s eyes skirted to Mama Jamba. “You know, don’t you?”

“What do you think, son?” she answered, her eyes going wide at the screen, apparently intrigued by whatever the salesperson was showing.

“Tell me,” Hiker urged, looking straight at Sophia again.

As succinctly as she could, Sophia explained what she’d learned about the history from Clark. As she’d expected, the news made Hiker’s face contort with anger.

“Those damn Royals have always been out for us,” Hiker muttered, still looking around his office for the misplaced item.

“Sir, I’m a Royal,” Sophia informed him.

He nodded. “You’re the biggest pain in my ass. Probably not out to kill me, although I think it depends on the day.”

She nodded. “It does cross my mind on occasion.”

“So your thoughts…” Hiker knew that Sophia had thought through a couple of different scenarios based on what she’d learned.

Drawing in a breath, she explained how they didn’t want to repeat history and played through a few different ideas she had. When Hiker appeared annoyed by her bold plan, Sophia launched her thoughts for finding the Rogue Riders.

“Go after criminals.” Hiker combed his hand over his beard. “There are a few of them. You do realize, right?”

Sophia giggled. “Yeah, I’m aware. I think we can narrow it down. It’s a start anyway.”

“The lynx gave her the idea so it’s worth pursuing,” Mama Jamba called from behind the screen in her hands as though she’d been part of their conversation the entire time.

“The lynx?” Hiker arched an eyebrow at Mother Nature.

She waved a hand at him dismissively. “One of the most powerful entities in the world. Tricky little creature with more mystery than even I can fathom. Also a friend to the Beaufonts and offered this advice she’s using.”

Hiker gave Sophia a skeptical glare. “When were you going to tell me you had such powerful friends?”

“I don’t really,” Sophia admitted. “They pop up on occasion and sometimes help me, and sometimes annoy me.”

Hiker nodded. “I know how that goes.” He glared at Mama Jamba, who had her attention solely on the screen.

She looked up suddenly. “Do you think that thermal underwear will be too bulky under my snowsuit?”

“Why does it matter? You don’t need a damn thing, you batty old woman,” Hiker replied. “You’re Mother Nature. Stop with this lunacy of planning a trip. We have a crisis on our hands, and you’re over there wasting time.”

She lowered the screen and regarded Hiker with a pursed expression. “The point isn’t whether I need something. I simply want to have a human experience. It’s been a while.”

“Why?” Hiker asked. “You’re not human. You’re better.”

Mama Jamba shook her head and clicked her tongue dismissively. “That’s not how it works, son. There’s no better. There’s only different. I have my strengths and weaknesses, and so do humans and every other creature and plant and pebble on this Earth. That’s the way it goes, whether you like it or not. We weren’t created equal, but I’ll be damned if we were created better than one another.”

Hiker sighed and gave Sophia a commiserating look. “There’s little reasoning with this one lately.”

“So my idea about finding the criminals.” Sophia tried to steer the conversation back on track.

He nodded, not at all seeming that interested. “Yeah, that’s fine. It might work. Whatever. What do we have to lose?”

Sophia lowered her chin and regarded Hiker with some annoyance. He was distracted. Not only that, he was starting to seem like he was losing his steam. She needed him to be motivated. It would take all of the Dragon Elite for whatever came next, which unfortunately she had no idea what all that would include.

“Also, there’s another thing, sir,” Sophia began, more nervous about the next thing she wanted to ask about than telling Hiker about the morbid demise of the demon dragonriders.

Sensing the caution in her voice, he glanced up. “What is it?”

“Well, I know we have a lot going on, but I think that keeping up morale is important for the guys. Especially right now with so many changes and the potential for more to happen.”

He glared at her. “What are you trying to plan? Is this like your Halloween thing?”

“That was fun,” she argued. “Yes.”

“I had a lovely time at the Halloween party, dear,” Mama Jamba stated. “Although Hiker kept stepping on my feet when we danced.”

“I did not,” he retorted. “Now, what’s this request you have, Sophia?”

She nodded and drew in a breath. “Well, I get that it’s not a big deal here, but I thought that since Trin and I are American and Mahkah too, technically, that we could have a Thanksgiving meal. It’s more about the idea of gratitude rather than the historical aspects.”

To her surprise, Hiker laughed. “Oh, right. Good old Scottish Thanksgiving. What exactly are we celebrating?”

Sophia blinked, not having expected this reaction. “Well, I guess it’s when we showed up on your island, and you offered us whisky, and we asked what you wear under your kilts.”

Mama Jamba nodded. “I remember that. It was a sunny day. I saw to that.”

Hiker shook his head. “Yeah, I’m fine with a Scottish Thanksgiving, but you have to get Trin and Quiet to sign off on it. They’d be the ones responsible for the details since I want your attention fully on the Rogue Riders and everything connected to them.”

Sophia smiled, grateful for the small victories. “Great. I’m sure it won’t be a problem.”

Hiker cut his eyes at her. “I’m sure. Because when you want the Castle to do something, it erects a big top and throws a lavish party. I lose something small and it won’t so much as offer me a clue about where it is.”

Sophia offered him a sympathetic smile. “I’m sure that when the time is right, you’ll find what you’re looking for.”

Mama Jamba smiled broadly. “I couldn’t have said it better myself.”

Hiker nodded, his gaze unfocused in thought as he chewed on the inside of his cheek. “Yeah, maybe you two are right, for once. Maybe the timing isn’t right yet.”

Sophia shook her head at Mama Jamba. “I think we’re supposed to take it as a compliment that we’re finally right about something.”

“Oh, honey.” Mother Nature waved her hand through the air at her. “We’re always right. Hiker is the one who’s willing to admit it for once.”

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

The commotion down the block on the far end of Roya Lane made Sophia tense as soon as she stepped through the portal. There was something wrong, and she would go ahead and assume that it was her.

She couldn’t make out much as she hurried in the opposite direction toward Heals Pills, but she saw more than a few angry faces and many of them charged her way. Not thinking that this was the time for a peace-building mission, Sophia decided to disguise herself and run for cover. There would be a time to explain to the world about the Dragon Elite, the Rogue Riders, and the difference.

However, for some reason, Sophia didn’t want to tear the Rogue Riders’ reputation apart. Right then, she believed that the problem was leadership and if they could get Versalee out of that position, maybe someone with a more balanced and healthy mindset could productively lead the demon dragonriders.

If the Dragon Elite slandered the Rogue Riders, there might not be any recovery for the groups later. Sophia wanted to believe in a future where the angel and demon dragonriders got along. They didn’t have to work together, but they also couldn’t murder each other to the point of extinction.

Sophia was banking on a long game, which meant she had to run right then rather than defend. There would be time for education, but when she was outnumbered and trying to avoid violence and looked like the bad guy they all thought she was, now wasn’t the time for confrontations.

Slipping into the shop, Sophia nearly tripped over one of the Captains. She was fairly sure it was Captain Morgan. The little girl had her mother’s dark brown hair, hanging in ringlets around her cherub-reminiscent face and her father’s piercing blue eyes. She held up a bottle of Heals Pills. “Buy. You ugly.”

Remembering that she’d disguised herself as an old man magician, Sophia pulled the disguise off. The halfling giggled like the magic trick was merely entertaining and not a huge display of spell work. The Sweetwater triplets wouldn’t ever know normal, it seemed. The extraordinary would seem common and mundane, but such was the way when King Rudolf Sweetwater was one’s father.

Sophia’s new appearance seemed to change the child’s sales strategy. Captain Morgan thrust the bottle of pills at her again. “Still buy!”

Taking the bottle from the toddler, Sophia smiled sweetly. “Thanks. I’m good. I own the shop.”

Sophia caught sight of Captain Silver and Captain Kirk toddling around the other aisles. Like their sister, they’d grown quite a lot and didn’t resemble normal mortal children. Nor did they give off the impression they were fae. The halflings were something else. Something new. No one knew exactly what to expect of them since mortal and fae was a rare combination.

“Captain Silver,” Rudolf bellowed from the back, coming through with his head down as he carried a box of products. “Are you taking another break? I’m docking your pay again unless you get back to work. There are customers to attend to.”

Rudolf was right. The shop was full of several people, but thankfully they didn’t seem to need any help. They were lined up at the cash register where Rudolf’s wife Serena was checking them out.

Captain Silver had sat down in the middle of the aisle and was chewing on a bottle of Heals Pills. She revolted from her father’s order to get back to work by drooling on the bottle and exclaiming, “Ghah!”

“The labor union can’t help you,” Rudolf argued while setting down the box and stocking the shelves. “I know my laws. Although mortal children can’t be forced to work before a certain age, the fae have no such laws. Quite the opposite. We’re required to earn our keep, or our parents will toss us back in the wishing well we crawled out of. So your fae side better get to work and drag your mortal self along with it before your butt that belongs to both gets a warning.”

Serena smiled sweetly at the customer, who regarded the whole display as if it might be cause for alarm. “Don’t worry. They’re empty threats.”

The old gnome nodded while taking his change and bag of products.

“Now remember to rub that ointment straight onto your face to fix that rash,” Serena offered.

His grimace deepened. “I don’t have a rash.”

Serena’s expression brightened. “Good news. Then it will be that much easier for the Heal Pills ointment to fix your ugly.”

The gnome spun and stomped for the door, his face flaring red…well, redder.

“Question.” Sophia strode over to Rudolf, careful to step over the toddler who was cleaning the floor—with her tongue.

“I’m only the stocker,” Rudolf said, his head down. “I don’t know anything about the products, and my boss hasn’t permitted me to talk to the public. Ask the insubordinate employee behind you for help.”

Sophia glanced at where Captain Silver gnawed on a bottle of Heals Pills, looking close to breaking the safety seal. She leaned over and plucked the bottle from the toddler’s hand, earning an offended expression from the child.

Sophia held out her hand. A colorful teething ring appeared that had plastic keys and a small stuffed elephant attached to it. She handed it to the child and offered a kind expression. “Here, chew on this instead,” Sophia insisted.

Captain Silver took the ring and launched it into her mouth so fast she nearly fell backward. She didn’t appear to have ever seen such a thing.

Spinning back to Rudolf, Sophia cleared her throat. “Your boss hasn’t permitted you to talk to the employees, eh? You don’t know anything about the products, huh?”

The fae froze, his hands in mid-air as he withdrew items from the box in front of him. From the corner of his mouth, he whispered, “Serena, is the person in front of me a dragonrider lacking a sense of humor and a stickler for telling the truth always?”

Thankfully, Serena had rung up the last customer in the shop, and it was empty again. Otherwise, Sophia worried she’d have to start defending herself if people found out she was a dragonrider.

“I don’t know,” Serena answered, sounding bored behind the register. “She’s pretty for a magician and has a sword, but if she has a dragon, it’s in her pocket or invisible because I don’t see one.”

“It’s in my pocket,” Sophia said dryly. “Yes, Rudolf, I have my sword and some questions for you.”

Rudolf glanced up as a smile sprang to his face. “Sophia, I’m so sorry to hear that you’ve been hallucinating lately and seeing and hearing things that aren’t real.”

Sophia shook her head. “That hasn’t been the case since I got the mark erased from my soul.”

“Are you sure you did, though?” Rudolf slid products onto the shelf. “I mean, it seems like you’re still suffering.”

“Why are you refusing to talk to customers?” Sophia’s hand went for the hilt of her sword and paused there, a mock-murderous expression on her face.

“See!” Rudolf exclaimed. “I knew it didn’t cure you. You’re still seeing and hearing things. I bet you see three children who you’re mistaking as shop employees.”

“Was Serena, your wife, insulting a customer part of my delusions too?” Sophia asked.

Rudolf shook his head. “Oh, no. Serena is the worst. She constantly offends the gnomes. Well, pretty much everyone.” He leaned forward and cupped his mouth. “Finding good help is so difficult these days. I was going to fire her, but she threatened to make me sleep in the doghouse, and the pig’s pen she makes me sleep in is already small enough.”

“You all need therapy,” Sophia stated blankly. “You remember how we had a conversation about how the triplets aren’t qualified to work yet?”

“I remember.” Rudolf tossed the empty box over his shoulder where it landed in the doorway for the back room.

“Are you ignoring my advice?” Sophia asked. “Because this is my shop too, and I don’t think toddlers make good employees.”

Rudolf pointed at Captain Silver, who was blowing spit bubbles on her lips. “Especially that one.”

“Ru…” Sophia said, a warning in her voice.

He threw up his arms. “Fine. I won’t have the Captains work for me. That means you too, Serena. Sorry, Sophia’s orders. No family at work.”

The mortal glared up from the cash register with a seething look in her eyes. “What?”

Rudolf shot a finger at Sophia. “It was the mean old dragonrider. Not me. I love having you all here.”

“Well, what are we supposed to do then?” Serena asked grumpily.

“Look into preschools,” Sophia encouraged. “Really good ones. The best your riches can buy. Your children will need that.”

“Good idea,” Rudolf cheered. “What will we do with the Captains while Serena is at school?”

Sophia clapped her hand to her forehead. “The preschools would be for the children.”

“Serena could go too?” Rudolf questioned, an uncertain expression on his face.

“I guess so,” Sophia answered, wondering how they were having this conversation.

Rudolf nodded and smiled at his wife. “Okay, go find something that will make the kids into geniuses. You know, someone who knows the punchlines to knock-knock jokes.”

“Okay.” Serena picked up Captain Morgan and stuck her on her hip. “I don’t want one of those uptight places where they grade them based on performance.”

“You mean tests?” Sophia questioned.

Serena picked up Captain Silver with her free hand and quite nimbly stuck the child to her other hip. “Yeah, those things are so demeaning. They always make me feel stupid.”

“Imagine that,” Sophia stated dryly.

“Good idea, dear,” Rudolf stated. “Find a school where the curriculum is relevant to our ideals. No math. Science is a maybe. They better not learn how to read until they’ve mastered seamless costume changes in small spaces. I’m not raising a nerd who can’t take on a last-minute main role in a Broadway show with no notice. Priorities.”

Serena nodded. “I’m in complete agreement. I’ll find this school.” She snapped her fingers at her back, and Captain Kirk glanced up from tracing shapes on the floor. “Come on Kirky. We have to find a place to unlock your genius.”

Sophia was impressed at how the mortal handled the three children. That was the mystery and conundrum that was the Sweetwater family. Rudolf and Serena were simultaneously unbelievably dumb and also incredibly gifted in strange ways.

When the door to the shop swung shut, Rudolf clapped Sophia on the back and smiled. “Just like we rehearsed. You did great. Good job following the script. Now, mission accomplished. Serena is out of my hair once more, all because of you. If she ever finds out this was all your idea, she’ll no doubt murder you.”

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

“What are you talking about?” Sophia questioned the fae who had trotted over to the back counter where the cash register was.

He sighed. “Your memory is horrible these days.”

“I’m certain that it’s not.” She picked up an ointment tube of Heals Pills.

“Anyway, remember I told you that Serena and the Captains were driving me crazy here at the store?”

“When and more importantly, how was that?” Sophia asked.

“Through our telepathic link, last night,” Rudolf answered while organizing the cash register area.

“There you go,” Sophia said, mostly to herself. “You realize that we don’t have that mode of communication?”

Rudolf shook his head. “Yet, you showed up here and got Serena to quit and take the Captains. They were driving me crazy. So much workplace drama. One of the employees was always crying about this or that. Then Captain Kirk constantly slept on the job.”

“They’re babies,” Sophia argued.

“There’s always an excuse. Anyway, we played that perfectly, you all questioning me about why I wouldn’t talk to employees and pretending to be mean about me not doing my job.”

“You weren’t doing your job, telling a customer to get help from a child,” Sophia stated, her eyes fluttering with annoyance.

He nodded. “Great acting. Then when you pretended to be offended about how Serena insulted a customer.”

“I was offended by that.”

Rudolf waved her off. “They’re gone now. You can drop the act.”

Sophia decided that she’d let the whole thing go, mostly because she didn’t want to spare the brain cells. She held up the tube of ointment. “We’re expanding our product line?”

With a triumphant pride in his eyes, Rudolf nodded. “Another good idea you passed to me along the telepathic wire.”

“I wish I could take credit for this,” Sophia admitted. “I think you get the kudos here.”

Rudolf shook his head. “It couldn’t have been my idea. I’d finished off a case of strawberry wine and could hardly operate the blimp.”

Sophia blinked at him, wondering where to start with that admission. “You have a blimp?”

He nodded. “Yeah, but the dragons keep getting in my way, which makes it hard to navigate it through the skies, especially when I’m bleary-eyed, if you know what I mean.”

“Wait; what?” Sophia suddenly tilted her head. “Where are these dragons that you’re flying this blimp around?”

He pursed his lips as if the answer should have been obvious. “Las Vegas, of course.”

“There are dragons over the Strip?” Sophia asked, not aware of this. It could be angel dragons. It was also likely to be demon dragons and the Rogue Riders.

Rudolf shrugged. “I guess so. I mean, they could be something else.”

“Describe them to me,” Sophia ordered. “Tell me specifically what they’ve been doing.”

“Well,” he began, drawing out the word. “They’re large and are like airplanes, except that they have wings.”

Sophia worked hard to keep her hand from pulling out her sword and ending the king of the fae. “You do get that airplanes have wings, right?”

Rudolf shook his head, clicking his tongue at her. “Maybe you want to go to the preschool we send the Captains to. I’ll pay.”

“I’m good,” Sophia said dismissively. “What have these dragons over Las Vegas been doing?”

“How am I supposed to know?” Rudolf asked. “I see them flying around and hand the blimp’s wheel over to the captain before I pass out.”

“Please tell me in that instance; you mean that you hand the steering wheel over to a qualified captain and not a child.”

His eyes slid to the side, a coy expression on his face. “Sure…”

Sophia sighed. “Okay, well, keep an eye on these dragons and report to me if anything happens.”

Although Sophia wanted to go check out the situation, she had enough going on, and if it was the angel dragons, she wanted to give them space so they could magnetize to a rider. If things progressed, then she’d go to Las Vegas and check things out, but it sounded like there wasn’t much going on besides soaring dragons.

Rudolf sat on the stool behind the counter and let out a long breath. “It’s our first lull all day.”

“That’s great.” Sophia noticed that many of the shelves were empty. “I’m glad that business is going so well.”

He nodded. “Yeah, but keeping up without the Captains will be difficult. They were excellent salespeople.”

“Have you considered hiring someone to replace them and Serena?” Sophia asked.

A loud gasp came from Rudolf’s mouth as he clapped his hand to it. “My gods, Sophia. You can’t hire people to replace your family.”

Sophia laughed at this. “I was referring to hiring someone to replace them as employees. You know, maybe someone to do the stocking and clerical stuff and another as a salesperson. You have the business starting up with Lee at the bakery so I can’t imagine you should be spending so much time here.”

Rudolf considered this. “I keep playing with the idea, but it’s hard to turn my baby over to someone else. We built this business from scratch, and it brings so much goodness to the world. I’m proud of it and want it to flourish.”

Sophia was momentarily speechless, hearing Rudolf talk in such an altruistic way. “Wow, I didn’t realize that it meant so much to you.”

He nodded, passion in his eyes. “Yeah, not seeing so many ugly magicians when I stroll down Roya Lane has helped to increase my appetite. Your kind can be sickening to look at.”

“Of course.” Sophia realized she should have seen that one coming. “Well, regardless of your reasons for the business, I agree that we need good employees. I trust you’ll find some who can keep the shop successful.”

“Your trust is well-placed.” Rudolf bowed slightly.

Sophia held up a finger suddenly. “But! No children as employees. The job description can’t require the workers to do anything illegal. You must give them all orders verbally and not through a bogus telepathic link.”

The king sighed. “If I hire two employees that I think could be a good match, I can require them to breed, right?”

“No,” Sophia said decisively.

“I can require them to marry, right?”

“Absolutely not.”

Rudolf shook his head. “Fine, but I don’t see what’s the point in having employees if you can’t control every aspect of their lives. I like playing matchmaker…well, really just God. I like playing God.”

Sophia shook her head. “You’ll be their boss and assign them work,” she stated and quickly added, “to do with the shop, and that’s it. No playing God. Only a boss who has limited authority and answers to me.”

“Who do you answer to?” Rudolf challenged.

“God, I guess, in a way.” She thought of how she worked for Mother Nature and the angels in so many ways.

“So I got tossed down the managerial ladder, I see,” he muttered grumpily.

“Yeah, sure,” Sophia said dismissively. “I came here for other reasons besides to see how you were making bad employee decisions.”

“Oh?” Rudolf appeared curious. “Is this about the location of the genie lamp that I tossed in the ocean?”

Sophia nearly fell over. “How did you know that?”

He tapped the side of his head with a victorious smile on his face. “Telepathic link. Sounds like your end might need some maintenance. Mine is working fine.”

Sophia was about to start questioning everything she knew when Rudolf added, “Oh, Liv called and mentioned it. Said you’d be stopping by and I should draw up a map of Stan’s location.”

“There we go.” Sophia realized she never needed to question her judgment and sanity where the king of the fae was concerned.

He rummaged in the drawers of the counter behind the cash register. “I put something together for you that I hope helps. A little sketch that should help you find the genie’s lamp.”

Rudolf laid what appeared to be a blank piece of paper on the counter between him and Sophia. She glanced at it and his broad, prideful grin.

“I’m not criticizing you, but I feel like you could have offered a little more detail,” Sophia commented and added, “Well, any detail would have been good.”

He jerked his head up in surprise. “You don’t see it? Oh, of course, you don’t. You look with your eyes.”

“Imagine that,” she dryly replied.

Rudolf tapped his finger on the paper, and it instantly transformed to show land masses and churning bodies of water around it. Different labels for the lands and seas appeared as well as a compass in the corner. In the center of the map was an X.

Sophia was about to express her complete astonishment at the map the fae had created, which was no doubt full of helpful details she hadn’t seen before. However, before she could, he tapped the paper again, and the area where the X was zoomed in and gave them a view of the ocean. Suddenly, she saw an underwater picture of where the genie’s lamp was, showing different obstacles that they’d have to navigate like around coral reefs, rocks, sea life, and a sunken ship. At the bottom, sitting on the ocean floor was Stan’s lamp.

Sophia looked up, total amazement written on her face. “You did this?”

“I think so,” Rudolf replied. “I mean, I passed out halfway through, but I was the only person present when I awoke, and there the map was. So sure, I’ll take credit. Plus, I’m the only one who knows where I put Stan’s lamp.”

“Wow, Rudolf, this is really helpful. Thank you.”

He flashed her a toothy grin. “I’ll do whatever it takes to help Liv get away from that self-centered husband of hers that’s always off galivanting with ugly ladies.”

“Those are demons,” Sophia corrected.

“Oh, that does make more sense, now that I think about it.” Rudolf shrugged. “Anyway, once Liv uses the wish from the lamp to dump Stefan, then we can hang out once more, just like, well we never really did.”

“I don’t think she’s using the wishes from the lamp to get rid of her husband, who I know she loves endlessly.”

Rudolf sighed. “Well, what is she using it for?”

Sophia shook her head. “I’m not sure.”

“Well, remember to tell her that when she uses the last wish, she’d better be careful because then Stan will want his freedom, which he only gets if he murders his master, the person who used the three wishes and possesses the genie lamp.”

Sophia nodded, suddenly feeling very uncertain about this mysterious mission Liv had enlisted her for. “Copy that. Use wishes, then drop the lamp back into the center of the ocean and run like hell.”

“Well, you can’t run on water,” Rudolf corrected. “I’ll get you enrolled in that preschool. Then you’ll know that kind of stuff.”

Sophia picked up the map and slipped it into her cloak. “You do that. Thanks for the map.”

“You’re welcome,” Rudolf called at her back. “Oh, and one last thing.”

Sophia turned at the door, giving him a questioning expression.

“One way to avoid Stan trying to murder his master is not to use all the wishes,” Rudolf offered. “I’m not sure what Liv wants it for, but that’s a thought.”

Sophia drew in a breath, hoping they only needed one or two wishes. However, the idea that her sister was relying on wish magic was the most unsettling part of all. That wasn’t like Liv. Something was definitely wrong.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

The commotion at the end of Roya Lane was ongoing when Sophia exited Heals Pills. She threw on her disguise as the old man magician and studied the street ahead. It didn’t make sense that the disturbance was still going on once she’d disappeared into the shop if it involved her. She reasoned that it didn’t. Still, she wasn’t looking forward to finding out what had gnomes, magicians, and other magical races yelling in the distance, all gathered around someone or something.

These kinds of disturbances on the magical lane fell under the jurisdiction of the House of Fourteen. Sophia wasn’t looking to intervene and sorely wished that a Warrior was there to break things up. Otherwise, she might have to act. She’d avoid the disturbance if she could, but the place she needed to go, the Official Brownie headquarters, was in that area.

Sighing, Sophia started down the lane, paying careful attention to the things being shouted.

“Get out of here!” someone yelled, by the sounds of it, an angry gnome.

“How dare you bring that beast to Roya Lane!” another shouted.

“You’ll pay for what you’ve done!”

“Okay, break it up!” a familiar voice yelled, dividing the crowd that Sophia could see as she approached. Over the top of the group, she noticed a head of short blonde hair. Trudy DeVries, Sophia guessed. She was instantly relieved that the House of Fourteen had someone on the scene to take care of things. Now she wouldn’t have to worry about it because whatever was happening wasn’t her problem.

Sophia slipped around the back of the crowd, trying to go as unnoticed as possible, which wasn’t hard in her plain gray cloak and wearing her old man features and balding head. She went a lot more ignored than if she sported her usual look with her silver and blue armor and carried Inexorabilis. Still, Sophia kept her head down, and her face mostly obscured, blocking much of her peripheral vision.

“He’s a thief and a scoundrel!” someone yelled from the other side of the crowd.

“A tyrannical bully,” another person screamed, fury heavy in their voice.

“As far as I can discern,” Trudy DeVries yelled above the crowd, “he hasn’t done anything wrong.”

“Thief! Thief! Thief!” the magicians around the center of the commotion chanted.

Sophia was almost to the other side of the angry mob, where she could see a break in the crowd and the Official Brownie headquarters up ahead.

“I don’t think this is the villain you think he is,” Trudy said, her voice clear and loud but also even. “As far as I can tell, he’s brand-new and simply confused.”

Shaking her head, Sophia was grateful that this hadn’t become her problem and that Trudy DeVries had shown up. She didn’t know who this guy in the wrathful center of a horde of pitchfork-carrying magical creatures was, but she was glad it wasn’t her. Or one of hers. The Warrior for the House of Fourteen would dispel the situation, Sophia told herself while breaking through to the other side where there were fewer people to navigate around.

“He’s one of them!” someone yelled from Sophia’s back.

“They’re all bad!” another said, and that made her pause. What were they referring to? Or more importantly, who?

She looked over her shoulder and saw Trudy’s long arms rise into the air. The woman’s above-average height made it so everyone could see her even at the center of the crowd. “That’s not true. You must learn to be fair and reasonable.”

Sophia nodded, silently commending the Warrior for her level-headed approach. She was one of the good ones. The DeVries had always been allies of the Beaufonts, and Sophia was grateful for that.

Turning back around, she hurried for the brick wall where the invisible door to the Official Brownie headquarters was.

Over the grumbling and protests of the crowd, Sophia heard a disgruntled gnome challenge, “Like the House of Fourteen has always been reasonable?”

Sophia suddenly felt sorry for the Warrior, having to deal with the wrath of a mob that she didn’t deserve.

“Yeah!” someone yelled from the crowd. “I’m not surprised to see you defending him! Of course you’d work together! The House of Fourteen and dragonriders are both corrupt!”

Freezing, Sophia held her breath. Tensed. Turned to face the angry group of magical creatures.

This just became her problem.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Sophia pushed through the crowd, making quick progress although the group had tightly knitted together. It was probably because she was wearing her disguise and those she passed simply thought the hunched-over old man needed to be closer to see better.

When Sophia was close to the center of the ring of protestors, she saw something she thought she’d never find on Roya Lane—a dragon.

Standing next to a scrawny young magician with dark blond hair, glasses, and a tentative expression was a seafoam green dragon who was quite beautiful and young. Sophia recognized the dragonette from the Gullington. It was an angel dragon, and she’d grown a lot and also magnetized to a rider, it appeared.

The dragon had her head down low, cowering from the many angry fists brandished in her and her rider’s direction. That explained why Sophia didn’t spy the dragon towering over the crowd before. She suspected that this particular dragon could blast the horde of protestors if she wanted to. Still, the dragonette didn’t appear to be considering it as she snaked her neck around her rider in a protective stance, her large head cupping him to her.

The new dragonrider also didn’t appear ready to defend himself. He was weaponless, and his face was pale with fear. He kept blinking wildly and rubbing his eyes under his glasses.

Trudy DeVries held up a hand as Sophia approached, looking much more defensive than the pair next to her. “Stay back! We don’t want trouble! You all need to disperse.”

Sophia let her disguise fall away and took her normal form, earning gasps from the crowd. “I agree!” she yelled clear and loud and nodded at Trudy DeVries. “You all need to disperse.”

The Warrior for the House of Fourteen gave her a relieved look. She was probably happy that she didn’t have to fight an old man and that Sophia had come to help, the situation quickly having gotten out of hand.

Sophia heard whispering from around the crowd, but they weren’t yelling at her as they had before. A few had shrunk away, their angry faces turning to ones of hesitation. Insulting a cowering dragon and unarmed rider was one thing. However, this group knew who she was and what she was capable of, and they didn’t appear as ready to challenge her.

When close to Trudy and the young dragon and rider, she turned, put her back protectively to them, and faced the crowd.

“The House of Fourteen is not your enemy,” Sophia stated in a confident tone. She pointed at the stranger next to the green dragon. “Neither is this rider of the Dragon Elite.”

“Dragonriders are taking over the world,” an elf called.

“You all think you own this planet!” a gnome complained.

“Taking what’s not yours,” a female magician remarked in a disapproving tone and shook her head.

However, the complaints were more subdued than before.

Sophia cleared her throat. “We do own this planet.”

There were mutters of protest around the crowd.

Sophia ignored it and continued, “We own this planet as protectors. Some dragonriders are abusing their powers. The Dragon Elite will work to bring justice to this situation. Right now, I need you all to trust that we aren’t your enemy. In time, we will prove that, but for now, you’ll simply have to believe me.”

Silence fell over the crowd. Sophia watched as many shifted their gaze between her and those at her back, then to others around them, as if looking for an indication from one of their neighbors about what to do next.

If it had been only Sophia there, she didn’t know how things would have panned out. The world at large was angry with dragonriders and not showing any distinction between the different groups. They feared all dragonriders at that point. They didn’t understand, and that was to be expected.

If it had only been Sophia, she believed the fear and bitterness over the recent abuse would have riled up the crowd, and they would have rebelled, taking what they saw as an opportunity for retribution. However, she wasn’t alone.

Trudy DeVries stepped up beside Sophia, her sword in hand and a punishing look on her face. “Those who are still gathered here in the next ten seconds will be held and charged by the House of Fourteen for disorderly conduct and threatening a Dragon Elite member—the highest-ranking official on this planet.”

That didn’t meet with instant acceptance. There were terse words and much grumbling after Trudy’s ultimatum.

However, when she started to count and held her large sword higher, the group lost their resolve to rebel. Many of the gnomes skirted away while throwing glares over their shoulders.

Magicians, fairies, and elves all trudged away, albeit it a little reluctantly. Regardless, when Trudy had counted down to five, almost all of the crowd had dispersed.

Sophia let out a relieved breath and turned to the Warrior for the House of Fourteen and the brand-new rider and dragon.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Trudy DeVries stayed tense as those around moved off, her eyes skirting from side to side as if she expected someone to double back and attempt an attack. She was a seasoned warrior and knew never to let down her guard. Something that Sophia thought she could learn from her.

When there was no one in the general area, the Warrior for the House of Fourteen turned her attention to Sophia. “I’m glad you showed up when you did.”

Sophia’s gaze flickered to the new dragonrider, and she offered him a calm smile before glancing up at Trudy. “Me too. I didn’t realize you were defending a dragonrider at first. Or that the House of Fourteen would come under attack too.”

Trudy nodded gravely. “Things have heated up a lot. If the House doesn’t do something, then we’re going to be seen as complacent. The matter with the Rogue Riders involves you, the Dragon Elite, and I support you handling it the way you see fit. I mean, you’re not intervening on House of Fourteen business and never have, and I think minding those boundaries is important.”

Something in Trudy’s tone put Sophia on guard. “The House or rather, probably the Council, isn’t as level-headed as you, are they?”

The Warrior nodded. “Some of them are. You were there and know how reactionary those others are.”

Sophia nodded. She did know, and it worried her. “Well, I’m working on some solutions. That’s why I’m here.”

“Good timing, being here.” Trudy nodded at the dragon and rider who hadn’t moved since Sophia had approached through the crowd. She was starting to wonder if they had a statue spell placed on them. “I guess I can leave you in charge of these two.”

Sophia glanced at the pair and nodded. “Yeah, and thanks for defending them. I don’t want to think what the crowd would have done to them if you hadn’t shown up.”

Trudy offered a tight smile. “Good luck, Rider Beaufont.” The Warrior gave the new dragonrider a curt nod before she strode forward and disappeared down Roya Lane.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Drawing in a breath, Sophia focused her full attention on the new rider and dragon, still aware of those passing. The light green dragon made it so they got way more attention than was necessary. Sophia had no idea what this guy was thinking, bringing his dragon to Roya Lane. He obviously didn’t care that the world was disgruntled about dragonriders. Or maybe he didn’t know any better. Based on the innocent expression in his eyes, Sophia guessed the latter.

“You’re Sophia Beaufont?” the guy asked in awe, his eyes flicking to her sword and her face, then doing another double-take.

Sophia nodded slowly, wondering for a moment if she should be proud of this or be on guard. This guy had paired with an angel dragon, but that didn’t mean much to her yet. Everything was so new with this generation that she wasn’t making any assumptions.

“You’re the one who helped to defeat Nevin Gooseman when he attacked Dallas, Texas,” the guy stated, his eyes wide behind his glasses. “You were also part of the forces that took down Thad Reinhart. Also, wasn’t there something about Olento Research and cyborgs?”

Sophia couldn’t help but grin. The guy was harmless, she realized, and was more likely to harm her with a hug than a punch. “You know your stuff.”

He nodded adamantly. “I’ve followed everything I can about the Dragon Elite. You all make the headlines a lot lately, but the news hasn’t been very reliable.”

Letting out a breath, Sophia combed her hand through her hair. “That’s true. The media tends to sensationalize stuff. The news gets delivered in a way that benefits those pulling certain strings.”

“Like when Nevin Gooseman was in power,” the guy guessed.

“That’s right.” Sophia extended a hand. “Why don’t we start from the beginning? I’m Sophia Beaufont with the Dragon Elite. This is a dragon who recently left the Gullington.” She indicated the green dragon who still had her head low and an uncertain expression in her eyes. “You are?”

The guy straightened. Gulped. Extended a shaking hand. “My name is Cooper. This is Sage.”

“Sage?” Sophia mused while shaking his hand. “As in wisdom?”

Cooper nodded. “Also as in the brush. Sage’s elements are plants and trees.”

“That’s lovely.” Sophia realized the color of the young dragon’s scales was reminiscent of the herb sage. It would be fascinating to meet the dragons again when they returned with riders and discover their true names and the elements they possessed.

She might have seen the dragonettes on the Expanse before they left, but it hadn’t been her responsibility to train them so this was like meeting them for the first time. In truth, a dragon, like its rider, matured and changed a lot after magnetizing.

Sophia drew in a breath, pulled her gaze off Sage, and focused on Cooper again. “However, you shouldn’t have brought Sage here. The mortal and magical world is very distrusting of us right now because of the Rogue Riders.”

“I know.” A shameful expression covered Cooper’s face. “That’s the thing. I followed everything I could about the dragons and saw that the public was growing fearful of dragons and riders. I magnetized to Sage a few days ago. My mom kicked us out of the house, saying that we would bring doom and hate to our family. I’d kept her in the garage before that. Anyway, with nowhere to go and no money, I didn’t know what to do. I knew I needed to find the Dragon Elite, but I didn’t know where to look.”

Pity made Sophia’s chest ache. She couldn’t imagine being out in this world as a new dragonrider. It must have been terrifying, especially since Cooper’s family turned on him. Fear made people do awful things. When Lunis hatched, Sophia had her sister and Clark and lots of friends to help steer her through the new situation. Then Hiker’s note came, and Sophia knew that she had the Dragon Elite to help her. That thought made Sophia tense.

“Have you received a note?” Sophia thought that the Elite globe should have alerted Hiker about the new dragonrider. However, there was a massive influx of new dragons, and many had recently left the Gullington. Sophia could see how his tracking methods might have fallen through the cracks, especially with everything else going on with the Rogue Riders.

Cooper shook his head. “No, but something could have come to my parent’s house.” A saddened expression fell on his face, making him suddenly look so much younger and vulnerable. “I haven’t been in contact with them.”

“I’m sorry, Cooper.” Sophia offered him a sympathetic expression. She glanced over her shoulder at the Official Brownie headquarters. That business would have to wait. The main priority was getting Cooper and Sage to safety, which meant inside the border of the Gullington. It was hard to believe that new dragonriders would be joining them. Things were shifting. The Dragon Elite were growing. Never again would the Gullington be the same, and that was a wonderful and scary thing.

“I need to get you out of here.” Sophia noticed they were still attracting attention. It was unlikely that the new rider could fly, or fly well on his dragon. That was fine because Sophia hadn’t been able to ride Lunis when they entered the Gullington.

“Yeah, I don’t think it’s good for me to be here.” Cooper pulled off his glasses and rubbed his eyes. “I’ve been getting headaches since I got here and can’t see so well.”

Sophia smiled at this, put out her hand, and stopped the new dragonrider from putting on his glasses. “The chi of the dragon must have taken up residence in you.”

“What?” Cooper’s eyes looked puffy without his glasses on.

“It’s bad timing,” Sophia related, “but it happens when the dragonrider is ready, and probably venturing here cued your independence.”

“What are you talking about?” Cooper asked.

Sophia took his glasses from his hand. He allowed it although he wore a confused expression. “Cooper, blink and look around.”

The guy did as told, his vision most likely taking a moment to clear. Then his face transformed into one of amazement, and he rubbed his eyes again before looking up and down Roya Lane with a smile lighting up his mouth. “I can see. I can see without my glasses!”

This exclamation got the attention of a few gnomes making deals on a nearby corner, but they soon ignored them again.

Sophia wore a wide grin. “That’s right. The chi of the dragon would have given you better than perfect vision. When you’re not here and learn how to hone your senses, you’ll be able to see for miles. The Dragon Elite will teach you all about your new abilities.”

“New abilities…” Cooper said slowly, as though trying to digest the brand-new concept.

Sophia nodded. “As a dragonrider, you’ll be stronger and faster than ever before and have superior senses, thanks to the chi of the dragon. Not only that, but you and Sage, having connected your lives, will live longer than if you two hadn’t joined. As a dragonrider, you’re now one of the most powerful magical creatures in the world.”

Cooper’s mouth fell open, and for a moment, Sophia thought he was about to pass out. She was prepared to catch him if that happened. He finally shook his head as though trying to shake away the amazement. His short blond hair whipped back and forth.

“For real?” he asked. “This is all happening?”

Sophia smiled wide. “Yes, and—”

An envelope drifted down from the sky that carried a familiar wax seal on it. Sophia reached into the air and grabbed it.

“What’s that?” Cooper glanced at the note. It was addressed to him in Hiker’s handwriting.

“This,” Sophia handed him the letter, “is your invitation to the Gullington to see if you want to be part of the Dragon Elite. Looks like your change in address delayed it from finding you.”

“Dragon Elite?” Cooper asked, his eyes wide. “Join you all? Of course. There’s no question. You all are superheroes and make the world a better place, and I can’t think of a better purpose.” He indicated the meek dragon behind him. “Now that I have Sage, we should put our powers to good use. I know that she wants nothing more than to help. She talks about the Gullington fondly all the time. She says she only left there to find me but couldn’t figure out how to return after the fact.”

Sophia smiled. “Well, when you’re ready, open the letter. It will give you directions for how to find the Gullington. Then you both can use portal magic to get there and meet the others.”

Cooper paused as if waiting for her to say, “Just kidding.”

When she didn’t, he tore into the letter, his eyes scanning it before he glanced up at Sophia.

“This is all real…” His voice vibrated with excitement. “I’m going to the Gullington. I get a chance to be one of the Dragon Elite. I’ll do whatever I must to qualify to be a part of that. Especially if I’ll eventually get to help the world and also make my mom proud.”

Sophia clapped a hand on the guy’s shoulder. “You’ll make her proud. The chance to join the Dragon Elite is open to all riders who want it. You qualify by wanting to make the world a better place.”

CHAPTER TWENTY

Sophia waited until Cooper and Sage had stepped through the portal to the area outside the Barrier to the Gullington before she strode to the Official Brownie headquarters down the lane.

She wasn’t surprised that Cooper had mastered portal magic as a magician—a powerful spell that not all could do so easily or so young. He had magnetized to a dragon for a reason. All the dragonriders would have enhanced and above-average skills, hence one reason that a dragon had chosen them.

Still, the new dragonriders would need a lot of training, which was where the Rogue Riders would no doubt fall short. They seemed to think they already knew everything. That simply being a dragonrider made them incredibly powerful. However, one can have strength and still not be able to lift a large boulder if they didn’t master the skill of leverage.

Strategy was about doing something the most efficient and skillful way. So far, the Rogue Riders seemed to rely on their brute strength, not realizing that riding a dragon wasn’t like driving a car. One didn’t simply press on the gas and expect it to go. A real dragonrider became the vehicle, moving it as they would their legs for walking. Controlling a dragon should be as easy as a command to the brain, but as Sophia had witnessed when around the Rogue Riders, they missed crucial parts of being dragonriders because they were unwilling to learn.

Cooper would be trained by the very best. The Dragon Elite would be his new family if he so desired, not rejecting him because of fear or the world’s perceptions—which Sophia would one day change.

It felt good to know that a new dragonrider headed to the Castle. What worried her was that Cooper would meet Evan first and be scared away. She laughed to herself while thinking about poor Cooper striding up to the Castle and not knowing that it was sentient or that Mother Nature called it home or that their housekeeper was a cyborg…and their dog.

A warm sensation suddenly spread over Sophia’s chest. The place that she called home wasn’t normal even by a magician’s standard, but she loved it. The Gullington was perfect with all its eccentric ways and peculiarities. She even thought it was fun that the Pond had a dangerous sea creature in it and that on the far side of the Gullington was Falconer Cave that had dozens of strange uses, only a few that she’d explored. She could spend centuries exploring the Gullington and not unearth all its secrets—and she planned on doing that.

Right then, Sophia needed others to do some exploring for her. After announcing her title to the seemingly solid brick wall, she watched as the small door to the Official Brownie headquarters materialized. She crouched and army-crawled through the opening, having gotten used to the undignified manner in which she had to enter the small office frequented by tiny elves.

Sophia half-expected to find Ticker, the son of the Brownies’ head official, sitting in the reception area as before. The little guy had taken over for his parents when they were gone, but to her surprise, the front room was empty.

From the back office, Sophia heard muttering and suspected that Mortimer was back in his office. She called to him as she strode forward, careful to keep her head ducked so she didn’t bump it on the low ceiling.

“Mortimer? Is that you? Is this a good time?”

Sophia felt bad, always showing up to the Brownie headquarters without warning. However, they never seemed to mind and always helped her out. She only hoped that she could return the favors when they needed it.

“Sophia Beaufont of the Dragon Elite,” Mortimer responded in his squeaky voice from his office. “I’m here, and this is a fine time.”

Peeking her head through the cracked door, Sophia expected to find someone besides Mortimer in his office. However, he was alone. The office was a little messier than usual as if he’d been rummaging through the file cabinets for something.

“Hey.” Sophia looked around and tried to keep the curiosity off her face. “How are you?”

The small elf sighed and tapped his bony fingers on the surface of his desk. “I’ve had better centuries, but this too shall pass.”

Sophia’s gaze fell to the map sitting in front of Mortimer. She’d seen Ticker using it the last time she’d visited the Brownies. From everything she could tell, it was an incredible map, about like the one that Rudolf had given her with a similar level of detail. Mortimer’s was even more interactive though and responded to the user’s touch as though they were moving pieces on a chessboard. By pieces, that meant actual Brownies through the mortal and magical world.

“What’s going on?” Sophia brought her gaze up to meet Mortimer’s. His eyes were large and round and full of stress.

He seemed to realize this a moment too late and replaced the tense expression with a fake smile. “It’s fine, Sophia Beaufont of the Dragon Elite. Silly Brownie politics.”

Sophia dared to sit in the chair on the other side of Mortimer’s desk. It felt like she was sitting in one of those small chairs that preschoolers had in their classrooms—or so she imagined. Sophia had never been to preschool or in a classroom or really done any of those normal things usually considered milestones. She’d watched television though, and that pretty much counted as experience.

“The last time I was here, Ticker told me that you and Pricilla had to deal with union affairs,” Sophia explained. “You’d left him in charge, and he seemed to be doing an incredible job.”

Mortimer smiled broadly, his long ears perking up. “That’s wonderful to hear. Ticker is very reliable. Yes, it appears he kept everything in order.” He glanced down at the map, and his light expression fell away. “However, there are certain problems that he can’t fix and I probably can’t either.”

“When you say union problems,” Sophia began. “What does that mean?”

“Well,” he drew out the word, his tone full of hesitation. “It would appear that some of the Brownies who work for me find that some of the business I engage in contradicts our mission and have said I’m potentially in danger of violating the union agreements.”

Sophia tilted her head as she picked up on the tension in the elf’s voice. “What kind of business?”

“Working with magicians,” he answered in a rush, suddenly shuffling around papers on his desk and making noise that Sophia believed sought to cover up his words.

She pursed her lips. Lowered her chin. Batted her eyes at him. “Let’s be straight with each other, Mortimer. By magicians, do you mean when you’ve helped Liv and also me?”

He continued to flip through pages, not looking at them. “They don’t get it at the union. It’s been that way for ages. They think we have to remain separate from the rest of the magical community. There’s us, and them. There are mortals who we serve and everyone else who we don’t. When Liv came to me and asked to form a partnership, well, it was the single most helpful thing I’ve done in centuries.”

“So what’s the problem?” Sophia asked.

Mortimer stopped messing with the papers and looked at her directly. “The problem is that it’s progress. It’s evolution. Most aren’t comfortable with it. They can’t see that it leads to something good for all because all they can see is that it endangers their way of doing things, which if you ask me are outdated and ineffective.”

Sophia couldn’t help but smile at Mortimer. She knew exactly what he meant. She’d faced similar challenges when she came to the Dragon Elite, having to force Hiker into the twenty-first century. Even now, she felt resistance from the magical world, which didn’t want to embrace dragonriders because they were new. The ironic part was that they were old. They’d merely been out of practice for a while.

“I can understand your plight,” Sophia stated with a thoughtful expression.

“You can!” he exclaimed, relief on his face.

She nodded. “Yes, but that doesn’t mean I want you getting into trouble to help Liv and me.”

He shook his head furiously. “I don’t mind it. The thing is, they don’t get that we’ve remained separate for too long. It’s hard operating alone. Yes, Brownies are supposed to go unseen, but that doesn’t mean that we have to be unknown. We have a lot to offer the other magical races, and I dare say they, us.”

Sophia tapped the front of the desk. “Now, we’re talking. How can we help you, Mortimer? How can we make your job easier? Or help you to fix this problem with the union?”

“That’s the thing, Sophia Beaufont of the Dragon Elite,” Mortimer began, the enthusiasm receding from his voice. “The union doesn’t want to deal with anyone. If you did anything to help us, they’d resent me more. They want you out of our affairs, not in them.”

Sophia sank back in defeat and nearly toppled over, forgetting the chair’s small size and the odd weight distribution she had to maintain to stay upright. “Oh, well, that’s disappointing. I wish there were something I could do to help.”

Mortimer’s eyes brightened once more. “Oh, but there is!”

“There is?”

He nodded. “Yes, there’s only one thing you can do to fix this problem for me.”

Sophia leaned forward again. “Okay. Anything. What can I do?”

“You can let me help you with your problems!”

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

“Wait.” Sophia wondered if she’d heard the Brownie correctly. “To help you with your problems, you want to help me?”

He nodded, his ears flapping back and forth. “Yes, that’s right, Sophia Beaufont of the Dragon Elite.”

“I’m honored and do need your help, but I’m not sure I follow the logic,” Sophia admitted.

“Well, your problems trickle over into the rest of the world’s problems,” he explained. “I get that. Pricilla gets that. Ticker understands that. There are a few other more progressive Brownies who also appreciate this principle.”

When he paused as though waiting for a reaction, Sophia nodded. “I follow you. Please continue.”

“It’s the same with your sister, Liv Beaufont, Warrior for the House of Fourteen,” Mortimer explained. “I saw that from the beginning. I could have turned her away when she first tried to form a partnership with the Brownies, seeking our expertise. However, I knew that as leaders of the magical world, that helping out the magicians would improve mortals’ lives and therefore improve Brownies’, then it would help out everyone.”

Sophia nodded at the brilliance of it all. “Yes, it’s truly a cyclical process.”

“Exactly!” Mortimer exclaimed. “My predecessor operated in a vacuum. That’s how most magical races work. I knew there was something inherently wrong in our system. So when your sister approached me, I realized this was the solution we were looking for. Now I help you two with things that are relatively easy for me, and you all fix big problems so that I hardly see too many small problems.”

“Now you have issues with the union,” Sophia reminded him.

“I have a problem with Brownies who refuse to see progress happens from doing things in new ways,” he corrected.

“So even though you’re under fire, you still want to help us?” Sophia questioned.

“Especially so,” Mortimer answered. “I’m going to prove to all those old-thinkers that we aren’t separate but rather all connected. Then when you fix global issues, I’ll be able to explain how that made our smaller, seemingly less important jobs easier.”

“There are no less important jobs,” Sophia stated thoughtfully.

“Maybe so.” He laid his hands on the surface of the desk and threaded his fingers together. “So, what can I help you with?”

“Okay, well, if you think it will help you all out, while also helping us, and incidentally helping the world.”

He nodded. “I do. What did you come to me for today?”

“I need you to give me a list and location of all the mortal criminals in the world.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

For a long moment, Mortimer simply blinked at Sophia as though waiting for her to follow up her request with, “Just kidding” or “April Fools…in November!”

When she didn’t, he gave her a tamed smile and grabbed a hard candy from the dish on his desk. “It’s funny because for a moment, it sounded like you asked me for a list of mortal criminals.”

Sophia nodded. “That’s right. You heard correctly.”

He popped the butterscotch into his mouth and sucked for a moment before popping it into the side of his cheek, making him look like a squirrel preparing for the winter. “The thing is that Brownies are excellent at finding good mortals who behave in extraordinary ways. We do this so that we can serve them, thereby rewarding their good behavior.”

“I understand.” Sophia pointed at the candy dish. “May I?”

“By all means, Sophia Beaufont.” He waved her toward the dish.

She took a chocolate kiss and unwrapped it. “I realize what I’m asking for is a little unorthodox.”

“I’m not sure that word does it justice,” Mortimer argued. “This is like going to a gnome and asking them to classify fish.” He laughed and slapped his desk. “Can you even imagine?”

Sophia didn’t know what to say, so she simply shook her head for a moment before replying out loud. “I can’t.”

“Well, we both know how gnomes can’t stand water or anything to do with it,” Mortimer related. “In the same way, Brownies only have dealings with good mortals. I wouldn’t even know how to find the criminals of the world.”

“I thought about that.” Sophia chewed on her chocolate. “You know how to find the well-behaved mortals based on what, some sort of magical spell?”

“An equation,” Mortimer answered.

“Even better!” Sophia exclaimed and took another piece of candy, this one with peanuts and caramel. “So you reverse the equation. Instead of looking for well-behaved mortals, you look for the opposite. Or look for the good ones and eliminate them. What’s left is who I’m looking for.”

Mortimer drew in a breath and continued to suck on his butterscotch. “Technically, I guess it could work. I mean, it’s simply a reverse operation. Are you certain that it’s necessary? As Brownies, we’ve always considered that positive reinforcement is the best practice. We reward those who do good and ignore those who don’t.”

“I think that’s a great operation. It’s perfect for the Brownies. Sometimes, we have to focus on the criminals to stop bigger evils before they get out of control. I think that if you help me find the mortal crime offenders of the world, I might be able to find the really big bad guys of the magical world and hopefully make both our lives easier.”

Mortimer stood from his desk, his height not changing much. He extended his tiny hand to Sophia. “Then you have yourself a deal. I’ll find you the mortal criminals of the world, and you help me to prove to my race that we should all work together.”

Sophia took his small hand and shook it in earnest. “Hopefully, together we prove that we can make this planet a better place for all.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

Returning to the Gullington felt different. Maybe it was because Sophia knew that it was with a new dragonrider inside it. Or perhaps it was because she felt different after all the developments. However, she reminded herself that change was progress in many ways and she had to embrace evolution rather than be like the Brownies who were giving Mortimer trouble because they didn’t want to do things differently.

When Sophia stepped through the portal, she found not one newish dragon flying high in the skies, but rather a few. She remembered them from when they were dragonettes, but outside the Gullington, having magnetized to riders, the dragons had matured fast and grown to almost their full size. Now they sped through the air, circling. Their riders were on the ground, looking up at them.

Sophia didn’t approach Cooper or the other two or three riders that she saw standing in the distance. Instead, she stopped next to Hiker and Mahkah, who watched from the other side of the Expanse, simply observing.

“We have new riders.” Hiker sounded proud, almost boastful.

Sophia nodded. “I met Cooper and Sage on Roya Lane, where they almost got their butts handed to them by a bunch of angry magicians, gnomes, and elves.”

The light expression dropped from Hiker’s face, and Sophia almost regretted having said anything to spoil his good mood.

“You were right to call me back here then, sir.” Mahkah took up the conversation in a rare turn of events. “It’s better that we train the new generation rather than go on a goodwill tour and educate the world about who we are. There will be time for that later after the new dragonriders are trained and ready.”

That seemed to bolster Hiker, and he nodded. “I think so too. We’ll always have time to fight a brewing war, but it’s not every day that we have new riders. It’s not every year or decade.” He chuckled and shook his head.

Sophia didn’t think she’d ever seen Hiker Wallace like this. There was a spark in his blue eyes that she’d never witnessed before. He seemed…almost hopeful. Excited. Maybe even giddy.

She could get behind that emotion as she watched the dragons, who were half a size bigger than they were when they left the Gullington, circle each other in the sky. On the ground were Cooper and another two guys, both looking up with mesmerized expressions.

“So you’ll train them how to fly,” Hiker stated as Evan and Wilder walked up from the Castle, both fully geared up as though about to go into battle.

“Yes, sir,” Mahkah agreed.

Hiker turned to Evan and Wilder without having to be alerted to their presence. “You two.” He pointed at the pair.

“Are your greatest assets.” Evan tried to complete Hiker’s statement.

“Hardly,” the Dragon Elite’s leader countered. “I pulled you off your current missions because of the new dragonriders. They need training in combat and strategy. I’m counting on you two to do that.”

Evan knocked into Sophia as he sidled up. “Sorry, Pink Princess. Guess you’re going to be left with the task of retrieving my weapons while I teach the newbies how to hold a sword.”

“Actually,” Hiker cut in after clearing his throat. “I want Sophia’s attention fully on investigating the Rogue Riders. We can’t let them get too far ahead as we train our army. The new dragonriders deserve our attention. They deserve your help as they bond with their dragons.” Hiker glanced at Evan, Mahkah, and Wilder. “Sophia needs to be the one to keep an eye on the Rogue Riders. They’re our greatest enemy, and when our army is ready, she’ll be the one ready to lead them into battle.”

Sophia elbowed Evan in the side. “Then you can retrieve my sword for me buddy, and watch me ride into battle.”

He gave her a cutting look but still smiled. “Whatever it takes. I’m a team player.”

“It’s about time,” Wilder teased.

“Okay, we all know what we need to do,” Hiker cut in, drawing everyone’s attention back to him. “Are we ready?”

“Yes, sir!” Mahkah answered.

“Are we prepared to make this new generation the best yet?” Hiker called to the foursome.

“Yes, sir,” Wilder answered.

“We won’t be defeated by those who challenge us, will we?” Hiker asked again.

“No, sir,” Sophia stated with confidence.

“Because we are the Dragon Elite and we’re meant to rule this world, right?” Hiker asked rhetorically.

“Yes, sir,” Evan answered and headed back to the Castle. “Right after I get a snack.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

“Why is there nothing to eat in this Castle?” Evan complained while inspecting an artfully arranged platter of assorted cheeses on the table in the dining hall. Beside the tray were artisan crackers and breads filled with nuts and dried fruit. Alongside that were jams and spreads as well as fresh vegetables and ripe fruit. There were also assorted finger sandwiches and little cakes and cookies, all so pretty they looked like art rather than food.

“Ha-ha,” Trin said from the other side of the room, her Inspector Gadget arm stretching across several yards to slap Evan’s hand as he went to grab a slice of smoked gouda. “Those are for the new dragonriders.”

He straightened and gave her a look of offense. “Are you kidding me? I’m an old dragonrider who they need to pass along my wisdom so that they don’t get their dragons’ butts handed to them on the battlefield. I need snacks, woman.”

Not at all deterred, Trin shot him a defiant glare as she marched in the direction of the kitchen, retracing her arm as she did. “I have some trail mix for you. I’ll get it.”

Evan spun and shook his head as he plopped down on a chair across from Sophia and Wilder. “I don’t want stupid trail mix. I’m a dragonrider. How am I supposed to maintain my strength with squirrel food?”

“I find trail mix to be very hearty and great for keeping up my endurance,” Wilder commented.

“And there my point has been made,” Evan replied. “Some of us, like the real men in the Castle, need real food.”

“Or is it that the real men can sustain themselves on a plant-based diet and the rest of you need to slaughter harmless creatures to perform at the same level?” Wilder countered.

Evan shook his head and reached for a piece of cheddar. “I don’t think—”

“Don’t you dare,” Trin hollered from the kitchen, making Evan pull his hand back.

He glanced over his shoulder toward the closed kitchen door. “How does she do that?”

“She has eyes in the back of her head,” Wilder answered and added, “Literally.”

Sophia laughed, picked a grape from a bunch on the table, and popped it into her mouth. “Evan, I need your help with something.”

His eyes widened. “Are you serious? How come you don’t get in trouble for nicking the newbie, day-old baby dragonriders’ food?”

Trin strode out from the kitchen and laid a platter of cured meats in the center of the table, followed by a bowl of trail mix in front of Evan. “If you’re going after the fruit and vegetables, then I’m not stopping you. As far as I can tell, you’re going to eat all the cheeses and sandwiches and leave none for the new guys.”

“So?” Evan retorted and pointed at the meats. “Is that fair? You know that dried prosciutto is my favorite.” He batted his eyes at her, and the cyborg softened slightly as her gaze darted between the platter of meats and Evan.

“Yeah, fine, have some meat,” she acquiesced. “Also have some fruit. It won’t kill you, you know.”

Evan darted forward, grabbed a slice of prosciutto, and stuffed it into his mouth. Talking with his mouth full, he said, “I don’t know. I think it might. I hear there are bugs on fruit.” He shook his head and glanced at Wilder. “Oh, think of all the innocent bugs you’ve killed when you’ve eaten fruit. You’re a murderer.”

Wilder picked up a broccoli floret and took a bite. “It doesn’t count if I don’t know about it.”

Evan went to reach for another piece of meat, but spied the challenging look on Trin’s face, redirected his hand to a pile of strawberries, and grabbed one. “Oh, look a strawberry. It’s red like meat. Fleshy like meat.” He took a bite and stifled a grimace as he chewed. “But tastes nothing like steak.”

“I was thinking of making watermelon steaks on the Expanse at some point,” Wilder offered. “You know, we could build a bonfire out there and grill up watermelon or cauliflower steaks.”

Evan put the half-eaten strawberry on the plate in front of him and shook his head. “You are the worst person ever to live. If I didn’t know that you’d struggle to make a friend, even with new blood coming into the Castle, I’d ditch you from my friends list.”

“So you’re my friend out of pity?” Wilder sounded amused.

“Yeah, sorry the truth had to come out this way. I mean, and it was a lack of options thing. Proximity also worked in your favor.”

Wilder laughed, not at all offended. “Now you’ve got new mates you can try and impress with your…” His voice trailed off, and he scratched his head. “I mean, I’m sure they’ll like that you’re…” Wilder glanced at Sophia. “I’m sorry, I’m drawing a blank on any redeeming quality of Evan’s. Can you please remind me of one?”

Sophia pretended to think while plucking another grape from the bunch. “Well, as far as people go, he’s very much…alive. When he speaks…it’s out loud. Oh, and when he enters a room…he’s present.”

Trin laughed and shook her head as she made for the kitchen. “Good one.”

“Hey.” Evan snapped his head in the retreating cyborg’s direction. “I thought you liked me.”

“I do,” Trin sang. “That’s why I can laugh at you.”

Wilder and Sophia joined in, chuckling at Evan’s expense.

“Hey, you Trin, are cute and fun, so you can’t laugh at me,” Evan warned.

“Thank you,” Trin called from the kitchen.

“You’re welcome,” Evan replied over his shoulder.

“I’m cute,” Wilder argued.

“I’m fun,” Sophia added.

“Those are your opinions,” Evan stated. “You’re safe as my friend for a little longer, Wilder. I’m not going to buddy up with the infant dragonriders yet. I think it’s better not to get too friendly with them since they need to regard me as a leader who they respect and admire.”

“How drugged up are you going to have to get them to accomplish that?” Wilder asked.

Evan shook his head. “You’ve started to take me for granted after all these years. People love me. Look at Pink Princess. She was obsessed with me when she first got here and kept trying to get my attention.”

“I believe I threw a knife at you my first week to get you to stop bullying Quiet when you stole all the pastries,” Sophia offered.

“I know, you had to pretend to care about the little guy so you had a reason to stalk me,” Evan gushed. “It was really cute. Then I turned you down, and you settled for Wilder.” He winked at his friend. “You’re welcome, mate.”

“Thanks!” Wilder chirped.

Evan leaned forward. “Are you worried that your gal is going to dump you now that there are more choices at the Gullington?”

Wilder grabbed a carrot and smiled at Sophia. “I would worry more that she’d dump me every single day because she’s the best gal in the world.”

Sophia smiled back at him fondly. “That won’t happen because you’re the best guy, and no one is as lucky as us.”

“That’s so true.” Wilder took a bite of the carrot. “We should start that charity we discussed.”

“Which one?” Evan asked.

“One where we raise funds for all the sad people in the world who aren’t us,” Wilder responded. “The rest of the planet doesn’t know what it’s like to be so happy. It’s impossible that they could.”

Evan pretended to gag. “Okay, I take it back. You and Sophia are the worst humans ever. As a pair you two outdo everyone.”

“Thanks!” Wilder stated.

“You’re not at all welcome.” Evan tapped the table in front of Sophia. “You said you needed my help with something. If it’s making it so other people can tolerate you or your boyfriend, I don’t have those kinds of magical powers. No one does, I’m afraid. Not even Mama Jamba.”

“I’m good,” Sophia stated. “Yeah, my sister needs help retrieving a genie’s bottle from the bottom of the ocean. I hoped that you and Coral would help out.”

“This sister of yours,” Evan began. “Is she cute?”

“I heard that,” Trin called from the kitchen.

“I’m asking for a friend,” Evan replied.

“She’s Liv Beaufont,” Sophia stated. “You know, the Warrior for the House of Fourteen that brought down the barrier when we battled the Rogue Riders at the elfin homeland.”

Evan shook his head. “Don’t recall that.”

“She helped fight the cyborgs when they invaded the Gullington,” Sophia added.

“I was too busy looking at Trin to notice anything else,” Evan stated.

“Thank you,” the cyborg sang from the kitchen.

“You know it’s all about you,” Evan replied.

“Anyway, it has to be important, or Liv wouldn’t ask,” Sophia stated. “Can you please help out?”

“Well, since you’re begging.”

“Asking,” Sophia corrected.

“I’m supposed to devote my time to training the newbies,” Evan stated. “I can probably pull away for a little if you know where the genie’s bottle is.”

“I have a map that should make it easy to find.”

“Fine.” Evan stood from the table, still eyeing the cheese platter longingly. “Then let me know when you need me to save your butt, and I’ll come to the rescue. In repayment, you and your horrible boyfriend have to sit at the far end of the dining hall table so I don’t have to look at your faces while I eat.”

Wilder grinned and patted Sophia on the arm. “I didn’t think this day could get any better.”

Sophia leaned into him. “When you’re us, it always can since we’re the luckiest people in the world.”

Evan shook his head, mock revulsion on his face as he made for the entrance hall. “The worst. The ultimate worst two people on the planet and I have to share my castle with them.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

Wilder and Evan strode off to the Expanse, leaving Sophia alone in the Castle. She was waiting on Mortimer to give her leads on the Rogue Riders. She knew that tracking down criminals was a long shot, but Plato had reinforced the plan, so she figured it had merit. Other than that, she didn’t have other ideas for how to deal with the Rogue Riders.

With all the guys out on the Expanse training, it left Sophia alone in the dining hall, looking at all the artfully arranged food Trin had laid out. She pulled out her phone and messaged her sister.

“Evan is on board to retrieve the genie’s bottle,” Sophia typed. “I have the map from Ru. Let me know what you want to do next.”

“Jump into a ravine,” Liv responded a few moments later.

Before Sophia could reply, another message from her sister came through. “Oh, you meant about the genie’s bottle. Yeah, let me get back to you on that. That’s too stressful for me to think about right now.”

“Is everything okay?” For the second time, Sophia sensed that things weren’t okay with Liv.

“Well, there’s an avalanche of rocks speeding in my direction, so not really,” Liv responded.

“So when you said you want to jump into a ravine…”

“It was literal,” Liv replied.

“Be careful,” Sophia warned.

“I will, but I have to dive right now.”

“Isn’t jumping into a ravine going to get you buried?” Sophia had to ask.

“No, it’s how the fairy godmother I saved earlier told me to get out of danger. There’s a tunnel down there. I have to get to it…”

“Okay, message me later when you’ve survived.”

“Copy that, Love Bug. XOXO.”

Sophia lowered her phone, feeling like everyone had a job right then but her. She often found herself in the middle of these lulls between missions where she waited for a lead to come in. Sophia knew it would be smart to use the time to conserve energy, but it was difficult for her to sit around when she sensed that she could help the world to be a safer place.

Suddenly, something that Liv had mentioned occurred to Sophia. She didn’t know why she hadn’t thought of it before. Yes, Mortimer was a godsend. Yes, she had eyes and ears looking for signs of the Rogue Riders. Still, she didn’t know why she hadn’t thought of this option until then. It should have been a no-brainer.

Sophia eyed the little cakes and confections on the dining room table before her, tempted to grab one for the road. However, she remembered that where she was going, she wouldn’t need to fill up on dessert. That she could do once she got there.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

Happily Ever After College didn’t look anything like how Sophia remembered it. The grounds were still lush and green, and the temperature was perfect, reminding Sophia of a warm spring day with a mild breeze carrying hints of floral aromas. However, whereas the college’s grounds used to be manicured like a school campus with a lawn and sidewalks, now it resembled more of a forest.

Large oak trees with long hanging branches dripped luscious leaves and blossoms of every color. The grounds weren’t even and filled with flat green grass. Instead, they bumped and rolled with many tree roots and other plants obscuring the path.

Everywhere Sophia looked, there was something to delight the senses, whether it was strange flowers in a rainbow of colors, or mushrooms growing from the ground that were the size of a bread box, or the large owl that blinked at her from inside the hole of an immense tree.

Mist rolled across the ground, making her think it was either early morning or right before sunset. It was hard to tell under the forest canopy.

In the distance, she could just spy the outline of a building through the trees. It didn’t resemble the red brick building that used to be there and was the center hub of Happily Ever After College. There was a sliver of the old building still intact, Sophia observed as she moved through low-hanging branches and approached the college, the view becoming clearer through the trees.

The new Happily Ever After main building, or at least what Sophia guessed it was, looked like ten different whimsical buildings were stuck together and made to look like one. The center part was pink with columns and tons of windows. Along one side were multiple different pastel buildings that reminded Sophia of the townhomes one found in San Francisco, except these were all glued to each other to make one. Around the other side was a clear turret that rose to the top of the building with a large spiral staircase that Sophia could see going all the way up to the rooftop, which was seven stories up.

It was like something out of…

“A fairy tale,” Sophia whispered, nearly laughing at the realization.

“That was the idea,” a familiar voice said at Sophia’s back.

She turned around to find her fairy godmother Mae Ling gliding through the air on a tree swing.

Sophia hadn’t noticed the two ropes or the small board attached to the tree when she walked by. She definitely hadn’t seen Mae Ling swinging from the large oak tree, her feet gliding through the air as she leaned back while holding onto the ropes for support.

“The college…” Sophia looked around, every moment noticing something else that was new.

Mae Ling smiled. “We were overdue for a renovation.”

Sophia noticed a toad hopping through the grass at Mae Ling’s back, making its way for a notch in the tree's base. “Is this a result of the toxic slime? Did the college not recover?”

“It did,” Mae Ling answered. “In so many ways. It’s like when a storm comes and pulls the front porch off your house, and you realize that you didn’t like it in the first place. The storm did you a favor, and now you can build things the way you want them.”

“Oh, so the green sludge pulled the front porch off the college, and this is how you really wanted it?”

Mae Ling nodded and fondly looked around at the enchanted forests. “It makes a lot more sense. The old college was the result of an older generation of fairy godmother professors. They were a little more regimented than the current faculty. I would venture to say that we’d lost some of the whimsy over time.” She shrugged and continued to swing. “I get it though. My predecessor wanted to combine the virtues of fantasy with the logical factors that often surround love. However, it’s often those same factors that pose challenges to true love’s destiny, so Willow and I saw no reason to continue to embrace the old ways. Instead, we’re going back to our roots.”

Sophia drew in a breath, smelling both chocolate chip cookies and gardenia blossoms at the same time. It was an intoxicating aroma. “This is whimsical. The new building…”

Mae Ling giggled. “You like it? We couldn’t decide on the architecture. All the professors submitted building ideas. At the end of the day, Willow put them all together into one so that we’d all be happy. Who says you can’t please everyone?” Mae Ling pointed to the pink part of the building with columns and plenty of windows. “That one in the center was mine. I don’t think you can ever have too much pink.”

Sophia nodded. “I would have to agree with you there.”

“One of the many reasons we get along,” Mae Ling gushed with a smile.

“So the college is good then?” Sophia asked. “After the evacuation and the damage caused by the toxic sludge?”

“I think we’re better than ever.” Mae Ling leaned back as she continued to glide through the air. “We have a new college that nurtures our purpose. Before, the old one was nice and open, but it was overly manicured, and that doesn’t promote the right message. We’re about creating love here and that never blossoms if pruned too much. No, the best place for love is in a fertile forest where trees grow on top of trees and seeds are allowed to be scattered on the wind, rather than planted by a gardener.”

Sophia smiled, enjoying the sentiment.

“Furthermore, we learned some valuable lessons,” Mae Ling continued. “We tried to engineer a love potion, and now we remember why that doesn’t work. You can create spells that encourage love, that provide the right environment for it to flourish, that support its growth. Under no circumstances can you make love happen.”

“That makes sense.”

“Well, it does to you, and it does to me now, but over time, we need these lessons as reminders,” Mae Ling informed her. “I think returning to an environment that’s organic and whimsical will be good for the fairy godmothers. We’ve already benefited.”

“How is that?” Sophia asked, and in the distance, she heard giggling and saw shadows moving through the trees.

Mae Ling indicated that direction with a nod. “We’re playing again. It’s been ages. We got so bogged down in curriculum and regulations handed down from the head office that we forgot who we were. As fairy godmothers, we help our charges, but it’s not through discipline but rather through creative expression. If we aren’t enjoying life, then how do we expect to lead others to a life they love?”

Sophia suddenly felt infected by the spirit of the grounds and wanted to frolic and play in the woods, maybe swim in the babbling brook she heard not too far off and catch the fireflies that buzzed around through the trees. Although she wouldn’t keep the fireflies. Maybe she’d dance around them.

Suddenly, she felt like she’d passed out and awoken in some sort of nirvana. She shook her head, feeling intoxicated. “This place truly is a new kind of magical.”

Mae Ling nodded and slid off the swing. “All thanks to you.”

“I’m glad I could help.”

“Now, it’s my turn to help you,” Mae Ling offered, striding in front of Sophia and indicating that she follow. She led her through the trees dividing the forests and the college. In the thick branches hung little paper lanterns of every possible color, shaped like various flowers.

Sophia expected that they were headed for the college, but Mae Ling stopped before that and waved her arm. At first, Sophia didn’t know what the sparks of magic that fell from Mae Ling’s arm did, or the sound of a bell that followed. However, a moment later she noticed that a tree stump had risen from the fog and ferns, and sitting on top of it was a tea tray, a series of desserts, and little fairies who went straight to work pouring and stirring and slicing.

The tray was breathtakingly beautiful and also looked scrumptious. Sophia was suddenly glad that she hadn’t filled up on the food at the Castle. Although Trin’s desserts had looked delicious, these were heavenly.

Mae Ling swept her arm through the air again, and two neighboring tree stumps rose, offering the perfect stools so they could sit at the table for tea. “Shall we?”

Sophia grinned, grateful that she’d thought to visit her fairy godmother. Now she had to hope that Mae Ling could offer her some help.

She nodded and sat, and almost immediately as if sensing her thoughts, her fairy godmother said, “I’m glad you came to see me, but I must let you down straight away and inform you that I can’t give you any information to help with the Rogue Riders.”

Sophia deflated instantly as a tiny fairy with lavender wings dragged a full teacup on a saucer in her direction. “Oh…” Although Sophia had worked to keep the disappointment out of her voice, it was still there.

“Sorry, my dear.” Mae Ling picked up her cup of tea, which a fairy the size of a monarch butterfly and with wings to match had delivered to her. “However, sometimes my job is to help you with the things you don’t expect or think you’ll need, and that’s what I’m doing today.”

The fairy with lavender wings had gone back to work, dragging a plate of assorted desserts over to Sophia. The tiny sprite had piled it high with a slice of vanilla cake, fudge brownies, cookies with fat sprinkles, and truffles.

“Are you going to help me fix the Dragon Elite’s reputation with the magical world?” Sophia didn’t touch her tea or desserts.

Mae Ling shook her head.

“Oh.” Sophia thought for a moment. “Are you going to help us with the mortal world and how they view us?”

Again, another headshake.

“Oh, well, maybe you can—”

“I’m going to give you the name and address of the perfect employee for Heals Pills,” Mae Ling interrupted.

She deflated instantly. “Oh, that’s not something I was working on. Rudolf was supposed to hire for that position, and it’s not really a priority for me.”

“It should be.” Mae Ling sipped her tea. “Heals Pills is an important endeavor that will help the magical world. Having the right staff is important for it to flourish.”

“I don’t disagree. It’s just that—”

“King Sweetwater has other ventures that he should devote his attention to,” Mae Ling stated. “So my best efforts can be in helping you to find not a good person for the role of running the shop, but the best person.”

“That’s very thoughtful of you.” Sophia again masked her disappointment. Heals Pills was great, but in the big scheme of things, it wasn’t her biggest concern.

“Now, based on what I know, this person needs to be resilient,” Mae Ling stated.

“Because Rudolf will be their boss?” Sophia offered.

Mae Ling shook her head. “Because it’s a dangerous job and they will encounter many fatal situations.”

Sophia lowered her chin. “At Heals Pills? We are talking about the same place, right?”

“We are,” Mae Ling answered. “I’m privy to things that I can’t disclose, but I will say that’s one reason that the king shouldn’t be in the shop any longer. It’s a powerful place that sells miracle things. That won’t go unnoticed.”

“So what do you have in mind as far as an employee goes?” Sophia asked.

“Well, you need someone who has multiple lives,” Mae Ling explained.

“Like a cat?”

“Sort of. There’s a particular individual who had an accident when he was younger. He fell into a fountain, and when they fetched him out, they determined that he’d be different in a few ways.”

“And these ways?”

“Well, he has many lives and can’t easily be killed,” Mae Ling answered.

“Was this fountain the one for youth and longer life?” Sophia guessed.

Mae Ling waved her off. “Doesn’t matter. It’s since been destroyed. Anyway, there’s something else about this individual.”

“Yes?” Sophia braced herself.

“He sort of attracts trouble. It’s part of the counterspell that adhered to him when he came out of the fountain. Everything comes with a price. You can have multiple lives, but there will be something one pays in return.”

“Then why would I want to employ him?”

“Because he’s the best person for the job according to my findings,” Mae Ling stated. “The shop will have trouble regardless. It’s inevitable. So it’s better to have him with his defenses than to have someone vulnerable. Otherwise, you’ll go through employees left and right.”

“Okay, then where do I find this guy?” Sophia questioned.

Mae Ling snapped her fingers, and a card materialized in the air. “This is his current address.”

Sophia took it with a grateful smile. “I look forward to meeting this strange fellow.”

“Oh, but you’ve already met him.” Mae Ling returned to her tea after handing off the card.

“I have?” Sophia read the name on the top of the card. Her eyes widened as she groaned. It read:

Ramy Vance

Previous bodyguard to Zac Efron

Current bodyguard to Henry Cavill

“That guy?” Sophia asked. “That’s the guy who can’t be killed?”

“Can’t be killed easily,” Mae Ling corrected. “Yes. He’s the right person to run your shop. Give him socks for Christmas—and lots of cheese.”

Sophia nodded, wondering how she’d gone from trying to save the world to recruiting a shop clerk. She had the strangest job of anyone she knew.

Mae Ling pointed at the plate of desserts. “Now eat up. And drink your tea. It’s getting cold, and I had it laced with an herb that will help with negotiations.”

“Negotiations?” Sophia tentatively regarded the teacup.

“Well, you don’t think you can just offer Ramy the job, and he’ll take it?” Mae Ling asked.

“No, I wouldn’t dream of it.” Sophia picked up the tea and drank it in one gulp before wiping her mouth.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

It was ironic to Sophia that her job so often brought her back to her hometown of Los Angeles. She didn’t know the many roads well or all the back routes for navigating around the city to avoid traffic. However, she knew the way the city felt. It always filled her with a gentle hum in her chest. That was the city's energy, and Sophia felt it the moment she stepped through the portal onto the movie studio lot in Hollywood.

“Oh, it’s good to be home,” Sophia said to herself, careful to stay out of view as camera technicians and makeup artists hurried to their stations.

It wasn’t clear what movie was underway, but by the looks of the set, it had to be something action-packed. There were pads for falling on the set area’s floor, and wires rigged overhead with various objects. Smoke from a machine billowed around the staged site, obscuring a lot of it.

“Okay, let’s take five,” a guy in all-black clothing said, not noticing Sophia as she stepped out of the shadows.

She had a spell on her that would make her blend into the surroundings in a way. She wasn’t invisible, but she didn’t stand out. An unsuspecting person would simply see her and dismiss her presence right away as unimportant. It was only if she talked to someone that she’d stand out and only for them. It was a complicated spell and draining, but Sophia thought she could risk the magic.

How hard could it be to recruit this Ramy guy? Sophia thought to herself. It wasn’t like she would have to fight him. Negotiate, yes, but that wasn’t so difficult, she reasoned. Why wouldn’t a magician want to work on Roya Lane, rather than as a bodyguard in Hollywood, protecting a mortal?

Sophia hadn’t realized when she first met Ramy that he was a magician, but something must have blocked his powers from registering for her. Maybe he had them turned off by the House of Fourteen. That was a possibility. Or there was a host of other potentials like strange planetary alignments, or it was Leap Day or Ramy had too much curry for lunch.

A very striking man strode from the set and grabbed a towel from a nearby rack to wipe his face. That’s when Sophia noticed Ramy approach, carrying a bottle of water. He handed it to the man with a smile.

“That was amazing, Mr. Cavill,” Ramy said, his eyes full of stars as he stared up at the actor.

Cavill took the bottle, unscrewed the lid, and took a long drink. “How many times do I have to tell you to call me Henry?”

“At least once more, Mr. Cavill, as always.” Ramy winked.

“I wish you’d stop quoting lines from Pirates of the Caribbean,” Henry shook his head.

“Is there another movie you prefer, sir?” Ramy asked. “The Terminator, maybe? Jurassic Park? Maybe one of your films? Man of Steel is my favorite. What was it like playing Superman?”

“You can’t be killed, and you want me to tell you how it was to play a man who can’t be killed?” Henry drained the water bottle.

“Easily,” Ramy corrected. “We can’t be killed easily.”

“I used to think that was a good thing,” Henry said dryly.

“We need you on the set,” the director called to the actor. “We need to block out the action sequence. Will you come stand over here?”

Henry hurried over, giving Sophia her chance. She approached Ramy, who didn’t notice her as he only had eyes for the handsome actor walking onto the stage.

“Hey, so we meet again.” Sophia stood beside Ramy and watched the actor the same as him. They were like two people at a rendezvous point, pretending to focus on something else and not talk to each other, or so Sophia imagined, her imagination inspired by being on a movie set.

“Like it’s the first time,” Ramy said in a strange voice.

Sophia blinked at him. “No, it feels like the second time. You remember me?”

“How can I forget,” Ramy stated.

“Oh, because of the dragon thing,” Sophia guessed.

He shook his head. “No, because of the stealing Zac thing.”

“He agreed to help me,” Sophia argued.

Ramy’s eyes didn’t move from watching Henry Cavill as he blocked out an action scene. “Are you here to take Mr. Cavill from me now?”

Sophia nearly laughed. This guy was a piece of work. “No, I’m here to offer you a job.”

That surprised Ramy, and he looked at her now. “Do you need me to be The Rock’s bodyguard? That’s the only job I’ll give this one up for.”

“I’m pretty sure The Rock doesn’t need you to be his bodyguard,” Sophia countered. “No, it’s come to my attention that you can’t really die.”

“Not easily,” he added. “Yes, I have suffered many fatal deaths, only to rise again from the ashes like a phoenix.”

“But not nearly as majestic, I’m guessing,” Sophia teased.

He shook his head. “Usually I look like death, but thankfully I don’t feel any pain.”

“Wow, that was some fountain you fell into.”

He arched an eyebrow at her. “How do you know about that?”

“I have sources,” Sophia answered. “She told me that you were the right person for a job I need to fill. Apparently, it could become dangerous, and I need someone who can’t die.”

“Easily,” he added.

Sophia nodded. “I’m not sure how this magical multiple life thing of yours works. You’re a magician, right? Why is it that I don’t sense your magic?”

“Much like the great Warrior for the House of Fourteen, I gave up my magic,” Ramy answered.

“You mean Liv Beaufont?” Sophia asked, surprised by the reference.

He nodded.

“She took back her magic so that she could take the role as Warrior,” Sophia explained.

He waved his hand. “That’s irregardless.”

“Regardless,” Sophia corrected. “Liv has her magic now. She’s my sister, you know?”

Ramy’s eyes widened. “Does she need a bodyguard?”

“She’s a Warrior for the House of Fourteen,” Sophia dryly stated. “Others use guards against her.”

“But still… I would die for her multiple times.”

“I don’t think that’s necessary. Anyway, I need your help to run a shop on Roya Lane.”

Ramy grimaced at her. “That doesn’t sound very glamorous at all.”

“We sell a magical elixir that heals and makes people prettier,” Sophia offered in an enticing tone.

“Let me get this right. You want me to give up my stardom and prestige to run a cash register in a store?” Ramy asked, skepticism heavy on his face.

“Ramy, I need my sweat rag,” Henry Cavill called from the stage, gaining Ramy’s attention.

He suddenly glanced up and looked around. Finding the towel that Henry had left on a nearby table, he picked it up and brought it over to the actor.

“Thanks.” Henry mopped his sweaty brow.

Ramy nodded like an obedient puppy and returned to his post beside Sophia.

“Wow, and to think I would take you away from all this prestige and stardom,” Sophia said dryly.

“It isn’t always like this,” Ramy argued. “Sometimes I get Mr. Cavill other things.”

“When do you do any guarding?”

Ramy shrugged. “He’s a pretty tough guy, and no one really would dream of messing with him. Mostly I keep back screaming women who want to tear his clothes off, but they can be pretty feisty. I got scratched the other day.”

“You poor thing,” Sophia joked. “Well, I can’t say that you won’t be attacked at my shop Heals Pills, since apparently, it’s going to be the epicenter for danger in the future. We can make the perks worth your while.”

“Why is it going to be so dangerous?” Ramy asked.

Sophia held up a hand, listing off reasons. “It’s co-run by the king of the fae, and he’s offended more people than a diva wearing white to a wedding.” She ticked off another finger. “Second, I’m involved, and trouble follows me around per an agreement I apparently made before I was born.”

Ramy nodded as if this made perfect sense.

“Third, what we sell is valuable, life-changing, and vital. When you have that sort of combination, I’m guessing people will go to great lengths to steal what we have, take the formula we use, or abolish something that could have such far-reaching effects. There are people, after all, who don’t want others to live long lives.”

“My tremendous intuitive sense of the female creature informs me that you are troubled,” Ramy observed, again quoting a line from Pirates of the Caribbean.

Sophia rolled her eyes. “I have a lot of problems and didn’t think playing a human resources rep was going to be on the list today, but according to people I don’t argue with, this is important. Will you take the job?”

“You mentioned perks. What are they?”

“I don’t know. What do you want? Six-figure salary? Lots of vacation? A retirement plan? We have pretty deep pockets, and this business is about making the world better, not about money, although it’s hugely profitable.”

Ramy combed his fingers over his chin, thinking. “I want you to buy my lunch on Fridays and give me the days off that there are major award shows like the Emmys and Oscars.”

Sophia pursed her lips, wondering if she should play hardball with this guy. She decided she didn’t have the time, energy, or inclination for it. “Yeah, that’s fine. We would have bought your lunch every day and gotten you into the Emmys and Oscars.”

“No to buying my lunch every day,” Ramy stated as if offended, then his mouth opened and closed as his eyes widened. “D-D-Did you say you could get me into the award shows?”

Sophia nodded. “Yeah, I don’t see why not. There’s not really anything off-limits for us. I mean, I’m a Dragon Elite. Rudolf is the king of the fae. We have magic, which you do too, but refuse to use for whatever reason.”

“It’s a virtues thing,” Ramy stated. “I’ll probably get over it soon when I’m back in the magical world again. Mortals always judge me for using magic, as if it makes me better than them. Like I could ever be better than Henry Cavill.”

“Wait, does that mean you’ll do it? You’ll take the job?”

“If you’re going to get me into award shows, then yes!”

Sophia tilted her head, confused. “Don’t you get into those events as a bodyguard?”

“Nooooo.” He drew out the word. “Mr. Cavill thinks I’ll embarrass him. The other celebrities, well, they seem to think that trouble follows me and I’d ruin their big event.”

“Oh, yeah, about that…” Sophia gave him a careful expression. She didn’t sense anything strange about the guy, and yet, Mae Ling had said that he attracted problems and now he admitted to it. “What sort of trouble do you have following you around?”

He held up his hands. “I don’t think I do. Not more than anyone else.”

“Well, how many times have you died and come back?” Sophia asked.

“Only two hundred and six times.”

Sophia laughed, then regretted it when the people on the set gave her rude stares. “Is that all?”

“I know, I don’t know what the big deal is and why everyone says I’m accident-prone.”

“I couldn’t imagine…” Sophia started to have doubts about inviting this guy to manage Heals Pills. However, Mae Ling had recommended him, and she trusted her wisdom.

“Okay, well, I’m glad we could agree, and we didn’t have to pretend to fight like last time,” Sophia related.

He scoffed at her. “Why fight when you can negotiate?” Ramy elbowed her in the side. “That’s a line from Pirates of the Caribbean.”

Ignoring this, Sophia said, “When can you start?”

“Do I get a relocation package?”

Sophia shrugged, not really caring.

“And business cards?”

“Sure,” she answered noncommittally.

“How about a fancy title?”

“You can have a company car for all I care,” Sophia offered.

“Not all treasure is silver and gold, mate,” Ramy replied, his eyes on Henry Cavill, who was getting into place to run through the action scene again. “That was another line from Pirates of the Caribbean.”

“You don’t have to inform me of that each time,” Sophia related. “I’ll assume that as an honest man, the lines are mostly yours.”

“I’m dishonest. And a dishonest man you can always trust to be dishonest.”

Sophia lowered her chin. “Another quote from Pirates of the Caribbean,” she guessed.

“Right you are,” he nearly exclaimed, watching as a boulder held overhead by chains was lifted over Henry Cavill. Ramy tensed.

“So, tomorrow?” Sophia supplied. “Can you start work tomorrow?”

“Mr. Cavill, though,” Ramy argued, watching intently as the crew moved out of the way, preparing to run through the scene. “He’ll need to replace me. I need to give my notice. It could take quite some time to find someone as devoted and attentive as me.”

Sophia sighed, thinking of how annoyed Henry Cavill seemed when being doted on by Ramy. “I’m not sure that’s the problem you think it is.”

“The problem is not the problem. The problem is your attitude about the problem.”

“Wow, you have that movie memorized,” Sophia said, impressed.

“I helped Johnny Depp prepare for the role.”

“Oh, you were his bodyguard too?”

Ramy shook his head. “No, but I got thrown off his property a lot during the filming of the first movie, and I’m pretty sure I offered him the inspiration he needed to be a fantastic pirate. You should have seen his eyes when I broke into his house and drank all his rum.”

“So that’s the memory he channeled when Elizabeth Swan drank his store of rum, huh?”

Ramy clapped a hand on Sophia’s shoulder as the boulder dangling over Henry Cavil began to fall. The bodyguard sprinted forward, yelling, “Noooo!”

Everything after that happened in slow motion. Henry looked over as Ramy rushed at him, his hands reaching forward. The director yelled, “Cut!” Sophia simply remained frozen, as though being forced to watch a car crash happen.

Ramy dove into the actor, pushing him out of the way. Henry landed on his backside, sliding several feet away. The boulder continued to fall, and finding himself directly under it, Ramy froze and looked up, his face constricted with horror. Yet, he simply peered up at the boulder about to crash into him.

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

Sophia was about to rush forward and push Ramy out of the way of the falling boulder, the way he’d done for Henry Cavill. However, she spied something that kept her still.

The boulder was tethered to a steel rod above it by a chain. It unraveled as the boulder fell and when it was a few feet from the top of Ramy’s head, the chain went taut, and the large rock bounced in the air for a little before merely swinging.

Ramy hadn’t moved as the boulder plummeted toward him, his chin sticking straight into the air and eyes wide on the object of his demise.

“You idiot!” the director yelled, throwing his arms into the air. “You ruined the shot.”

Visibly vibrating from fear, Ramy kept his eyes focused on the boulder. “I-I-I didn’t know it was a stunt. I thought that Mr. Cavill was in danger, and my job is to protect him.”

“Ramy, you’re fired.” Henry pushed up to his feet. “I’ve had enough of the mishaps you cause.”

“I was going to quit anyway,” Ramy said, his tone shaky as he stared at the swinging boulder.

“Well, good.” Henry strode in the opposite direction. “I’ll be in my trailer for the afternoon.”

The director looked about to protest when the chain holding the boulder loosened suddenly, many of the links expanding.

“The rig!” someone yelled. “It’s about to give way!”

“Clear the set,” the director ordered.

Henry Cavill spun, his eyes wide. Sophia tensed. To everyone’s surprise, Ramy simply stood beneath the boulder that was about to fall, not part of any stunt but rather a mistake by the rigging crew.

“Ramy, get out from under there!” Henry ordered.

The bodyguard shook his head. “I can’t move…I’m too scared.”

“How are you scared?” Sophia had to ask. “When you die, you come back. Plus, you don’t feel any pain.”

He shook his head. “The fear never goes away.”

Everyone had scattered to the perimeter, most of them turning back to watch the show of Ramy standing in the middle of the stage, looking up at the boulder that had jumped down another inch, the chain wrapped around the beam loosening.

“Move!” the director ordered.

Ramy stayed frozen.

Sophia started forward, intent on pushing Ramy out of the way. The director held out an arm, pausing her.

“Don’t,” he warned. “I won’t have any other’s blood on my stage.” Turning his attention back to Ramy, he shook his head. “Damn it! Get off that stage now!”

“I-I-I’m trying,” Ramy nearly cried.

“Just run!” Sophia encouraged.

“Do it now!” Henry yelled.

Everyone around the sound stage began to holler, telling Ramy to get out of the way of danger.

More of the links expanded, almost giving way completely. The boulder slid down another couple of inches.

“I can do this. I can do this,” Ramy chanted as though trying to encourage himself to move. He smiled up at the boulder swinging overhead. “Rock, this is the day you will always remember as the day you almost caught Ramy Van—”

Before he could finish his statement, the chain snapped and sent the boulder crashing down onto the man, crushing him instantly—ending him in a gross mess that everyone saw firsthand.

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

Sophia sharply spun away while covering her face from the grotesque sight of the large rock crushing the man’s body. She’d seen some of it since it happened so fast but didn’t want details of the image burned into her mind.

There were screams from around the sound stage. Gasps. Cries. Thankfully, those drowned out the grosser sounds of crushing bones and pulverizing flesh.

To Sophia’s surprise, the sounds of frustration soon replaced those of grief.

“Damn that guy!” the director yelled. “That death was avoidable.”

Sophia pulled her arm down to find the crew moving into action. Henry was beside the stage and shaking his head.

“If Ramy was waiting for the opportune moment, that was it.”

“That’s not very thoughtful,” Sophia admonished. “A man has died.”

The director shot her a scolding look. “That man has ruined my stage and put us back a day.”

Sophia didn’t look, but she saw the crew members rolling the boulder off Ramy’s body in her peripheral vision. “He saved Henry from getting impaled. That boulder could have come down on anyone.”

“No, it was probably meant for Ramy,” the actor said. “The guy brings this stuff on himself all the time.”

“Henry wasn’t going to be under the boulder when it fell,” the director stated. “He would have been out of the way well before that.”

“Not to mention that Ramy stood there looking up at it when he could have gotten out of the way,” Henry added.

“He was frightened,” Sophia countered.

“Yeah, I was,” Ramy said in a raspy voice.

Sophia dared to look, afraid he’d be covered in blood and guts. To her surprise, he looked the same. She rushed over, shocked and relieved.

“You’re okay?”

He still lay on the ground, the boulder beside him. A few crew members rolled it backward out of the way. Ramy gave it a cursed expression and nodded. “Yeah, a bit shook, but that’s normal.”

“You’re not…you know…” Sophia didn’t know how to say what she was thinking.

“Bloody?” he supplied. “Yeah, I don’t bleed. Or break. Or pretty much anything that would make my deaths super gross.”

“So you really can’t be killed,” Sophia marveled.

“Easily,” he added.

“Ramy,” Henry began while striding over. “I realize that your heart was in the right place. I know things got heated, but I’m willing to give you another chance if—”

Ramy held up his hand, pausing the actor. “That’s okay. I think our time spent together has come to an end. I’m ready to move on.” He stood and looked at Sophia. “I have another opportunity, and something tells me that it will offer me the chance to do more than protect national treasures.”

“Are you sure?” Henry asked. “I appreciate your protection.”

Ramy nodded. “And I yours as the Witcher.”

“You realize that I’m not really that person, right?” Henry Cavill asked. “That’s a character, you know…”

Ramy pursed his lips and backed away. “Don’t ruin it for me.”

“But you know—”

Ramy held up a single finger toward Henry’s mouth. “Shush now, my man of steel. I need you to be strong for me. Allow me to walk away, knowing that you might not ever see me walk back in your direction.”

“Okay, well, see you later then,” Henry said casually and waved.

“Goodbye, Mr. Cavill,” Ramy stated. “May we meet in another life.”

“Sure thing,” he sang while heading back in the direction of the stage.

“Or I’ll see you at the Oscars!” Ramy exclaimed as Sophia led him away, toward a portal to Roya Lane.

CHAPTER THIRTY

Sophia entered Heals Pills tentatively, unsure if she was more nervous about introducing Ramy to King Sweetwater or the other way around. The two would make an interesting pair. Hopefully, Rudolf wouldn’t have gotten too far ahead in the interview process.

A long line of what she suspected were applicants holding resumes and vials of blood dashed those hopes when she entered the shop. She’d ask about the latter items later, if at all.

Sophia headed toward Rudolph, tugging Ramy with her as she moved around the applicants, who all shot her glares as though she was cutting in line.

“Okay, under references you have Ms. Lois Alst—” Rudolf glanced up, looking at the candidate, a fae who was dressed impeccably but also appeared slightly inebriated, as usual for the fae. “Lois…that’s one of my ex-girlfriends. Did she mention me? Oh…this is her attempt to get me back, is it? She had me open a pill shop, knowing I’d one day need help, then offer to write a reference for you and all so she could get me back.”

“She’s a friend,” the fae said flatly. “We used to work together. She can vouch for my skills.”

“Who can vouch for your breath,” Rudolf stated and threw the guy’s resume over his shoulder. “Next!”

Before Sophia could move around the next applicant, a rather attractive elfin woman stepped forward and thrust her resumé into Rudolf’s hand. Realizing that Sophia needed to be discreet in front of all these candidates for the position she’d filled, she held up a single finger at Ramy and mouthed, “Hold on.”

He nodded and teetered back and forth, looking like he might fall over on one of the display cases.

“Lady of the Owls.” Rudolf read the woman’s name on the top of her resume. “You have quite the list of experience here. Don’t you think that you’re overqualified for this position? I mean, you’ve done some impressive stuff, and here, you’ll be selling lifesaving elixirs. Not to mention that your boss is a real tightwad. She thinks she owns this place and although that’s true, she flaunts it.”

Deciding she’d had enough and was tired of being diplomatic, Sophia threw up her arms. “Okay, everyone out! Interviews are over! I’ve filled the position.”

Sophia’s declaration met with protests, most of them by the king of the fae. Then he recognized that it was Sophia making the statement and began ushering everyone out the door.

“You heard the very reasonable and modest boss,” Rudolf stated. “Who hasn’t heard all the mean things I’ve been saying about her.”

“I heard the last one,” Sophia said over the thundering of candidates filing through the door.

Rudolf fake-laughed. “I knew you were there the whole time, Sophia. I was simply playing that little game we love so much.”

“Which one?” Sophia asked dryly.

“You know, the one where I pretend you’re not there and say bad things about you, then we both laugh.”

Sophia shook her head. “I’m not aware of that game and didn’t know we played it.”

He waved his hand. “Loads of times. You love it.”

“Right.” Sophia groaned.

Rudolf swatted Ramy on the shoulder. “Hey, didn’t you hear? The interviews are over. She filled the position.” Then, as if it finally registered for him, Rudolf swept back around to face Sophia. “Wait, it is? By who?”

Sophia held out a presenting arm to Ramy. “By this gentleman here.”

Rudolf ran his eyes over the unsuspecting guy. “Him? Does he want to sell Heals Pills or drink all of it in hopes that it helps…”

Sophia tensed. To her relief, Ramy laughed. “I had a boulder hit my face. That’s not to mention the Mack truck that hit me this afternoon. Or the vultures that chased me from my car.”

Sophia shook her head at him. “Seriously, what is wrong with you? That all happened today?”

He nodded. “In the last few hours. This morning—”

She held up her hand and halted him. “I think I’ve heard enough.”

“I still have the job though, right?” Ramy sounded worried.

“Yeah, it’s simply that the less I know about the accidents that happen to you, the better,” Sophia answered.

“So why did you hire this guy, who is apparently a magician who doesn’t use magic?” Rudolf asked. “Not to mention he’s wearing strange socks, and I’m pretty certain he’s not wearing moisturizer.” He said the last part in a loud whisper.

“My fairy godmother said he was the right guy for the job,” Sophia answered.

“You left me the responsibility of filling the opening.” Rudolf almost sounded hurt.

“My fairy godmother said your time was much too valuable to mind the shop or interview to fill the position,” Sophia explained.

That seemed to raise Rudolf’s spirits immediately. “What a bright and thoughtful and totally accurate woman your fairy godmother is.” He paused and leaned forward, hesitation in his gaze. “I’m going to assume she is a woman, correct?”

“Good assumption,” Sophia stated dryly.

Rudolf studied Ramy. “Well, if a fairy godmother said he’s the right guy for the job, who am I to argue with her?” He walked around him, measuring him with his eyes, it seemed. “I guess I can work with this. Can you dress better?”

Ramy nodded. “I can add a sweater vest to this ensemble and a tweed hat.”

“I said better,” Rudolf scolded, peeling away. “Not can you dress like an old crusty college professor. Why don’t you put on a jacket with elbow patches and burn this world down already?”

Sophia gave Ramy a commiserating expression. “I’m sorry, excuse me for not making introductions. King Rudolf Sweetwater, this is Ramy Vance. Ramy, this is a brick who masquerades as the king of a race of magical creatures. Ignore most things he says, never take offense to them, and if he asks you to smell something, always say no.”

Ramy dutifully nodded.

“Why, thank you for the thoughtful introduction, Sophia,” Rudolf stated humbly. “Now, Ramy-Cans. I can call you that, right? It seems fitting. Anyway, what are your qualifications?”

“I was the bodyguard to—”

“He can’t die,” Sophia interrupted. “My fairy godmother seems to think we need someone resilient to mind the shop because it could see multiple dangers.”

Rudolf nodded while thinking. “That would explain all the threatening notes I’ve been getting and attempts on my life.”

Sophia lowered her chin. “When were you going to tell me about this, Ru?”

“I did,” he sang and pointed at the side of his head.

“Right,” Sophia chirped. “Through the telepathic link.”

“You have to remember to check your messages when you’ve been away or asleep,” Rudolf lectured. “I leave them on the voicemail.”

“Of my mind,” Sophia added.

“Exactly!” Rudolf exclaimed.

“Anyway, Ramy, this is the shop,” Sophia stated. “Rudolf can show you around and fill you in on the details and supply chain, which comes in from next door at the Rose Apothecary.”

“Friday’s lunch?” Ramy asked, his tone tentative.

“It’s all taken care of,” Sophia answered. “Tell us whatever you need. You have my number, and—”

A text interrupted her. Since her phone was on silent, Sophia knew it was something important.

She retrieved the device from her pocket and checked the message, her heart suddenly racing. The text was from Liv. It read:

I have something important to tell you. Meet me at the Fantastical Armory as soon as possible. Don’t delay, please…

That didn’t sound like a Liv message. Usually, they were full of jokes, and even if she was in a headlock with a troll, she was flippant about the matter. This sounded serious.

Sophia strode for the door at once. “I have to go now. Ramy, you’re in…” She glanced over her shoulder at Rudolf. “You’re in his hands now.”

“Good hands,” Rudolf added.

Sophia gave Ramy an uncertain look edged with an apology. “You’re in hands…his. Anyway, good luck. Be careful. Try not to die.”

“No promises,” Ramy sang, waving at Sophia as she exited the shop and hurried for the Fantastical Armory.

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

Not only Liv but Papa Creola were pacing back and forth when she entered the Fantastical Armory. Sophia paused in the doorway, taking in the scene of the Warrior with her windswept hair striding back and forth between the back row of waist-high display cases. In the other row, closer to the door, was Papa Creola, his long hippie hair also unbrushed as he worried away, chewing on his lip.

Conversely, Subner sat behind the counter on his stool in his new elfin form with his black hair pulled back into a ponytail and an indifferent expression on his face as though the troubles plaguing the other two weren’t problems of his.

“What is it?” Sophia asked, unsurprised to hear the worry in her voice. “What’s wrong?”

Liv and Papa Creola both looked up, startled expressions on their faces.

“World hunger, political divide inside warring governments, seasonal allergies, fundamental economic issues, eczema, the list goes on and on,” Subner stated dryly.

“You’re a ray of sunshine since losing your hippie ways, aren’t you?” Sophia jibed.

He shook his head, a serious expression on his face. “I hope never to think with that kind of mindset again. Too often I found myself focused on promoting peace or wondering how to unlock a higher creative level inside myself.”

Sophia nearly burst out laughing. “So? What’s wrong with that?”

“What’s wrong with that,” Subner began, “is that as the Protector of Weapons, I can’t be obsessed with peace and creativity. I need to maintain an objective mindset and gravitating toward peace isn’t the way to do that.”

“I don’t know, I think peace could be a good thing, but call me crazy,” Sophia retorted, watching from the corner of her vision as Liv and Papa Creola continued to pace in opposite directions.

Subner, still unconcerned for their worried state, snapped his fingers at Sophia. “Then give me your sword.”

Sophia’s eyes swiveled to Inexorabilis. “No, I can’t do that.”

“Why?” Subner challenged. “If you believe in this peaceful world so much, then give me the instrument you carry that’s related to violence.”

“It’s unrealistic to think that things are simply going to be peaceful.” Sophia pointed out the door at Roya Lane but meant the world at large. “I can want peace, but if it doesn’t happen out there, then I need to be prepared to defend myself.”

Subner simply crossed his arms over his chest and leaned back with a satisfied expression that seemed to say, “You made my point.”

Appreciatively, Sophia nodded. “Well played, Subner. Well played.” She directed her gaze to Liv and Papa Creola, confused why one of them hadn’t weighed in on the conversation, which usually would have caused one of them to chime in with their opinion. “What’s going on with you two? Something is wrong.” The last sentence was more of a statement, and neither one of them contradicted it.

Liv paused her pacing and gave Papa Creola a long look before glancing at Sophia.

“I have something to tell you.” Liv drew in a steadying breath.

Sophia tensed and looked her sister over. She didn’t appear hurt, but magic sometimes worked from the inside out. Liv could be cursed, or it could be Clark or Stefan or Rory…

“What is it?” Sophia asked in a rush, anxious to know. “Is everything okay?”

Liv nodded with an uncertain look in her eyes. “Yes, everything is fine.”

“Then what is it?” Sophia questioned because she got a distinct impression that not everything was fine—at all.

“Soph, I’m pregnant.” Liv’s eyes cut to Papa Creola once more.

Sophia wanted to jump up and down. Run over to her sister and hug her. Squeal. Rejoice. Yet, she stayed frozen in place, her nerves humming in her chest.

“Why do I have the sense that this isn’t the great news it should be?” Sophia looked between Liv and Papa Creola.

The Father of Time turned to face Sophia. “Because we highly suspect that the baby has demon blood.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

“Because of Stefan?” Sophia guessed. All the excitement she’d felt moments prior evaporated.

Liv nodded. “Yes. Remember I told you a demon had bitten him, but we were able to get the cure and he recovered, making him have all the demon’s powers like speed and longer life, but without all the wanting to steal souls part?”

Sophia nodded. “Yes, he’s the best of all worlds, right? It makes him an excellent demon hunter, right?”

“That’s right,” Liv affirmed. “However, he still has the demon’s blood coursing through him, even if it doesn’t make him evil. We,” she motioned between her and Papa Creola, “highly suspect there’s a chance the baby could inherit the demon blood.”

“Without having the antidote that keeps he or she from turning evil,” Papa Creola added.

Sophia slumped. That was bad…not only bad, but it also was good news wrapped up in highly dangerous news, and that was what made it worse. A baby should be the greatest thing in the world for Liv and Stefan. For the Beaufonts. To know that the child might be part demon, well, it crushed the entire good spirit of the notion.

“So what do we do?” Sophia wanted to be proactive. However, she reasoned that if she found Papa Creola and Liv pacing around in the Fantastical Armory that there was a chance that they didn’t know what the solution to their problem was yet.

“The genie’s bottle?” Liv asked in a tentative tone, immediately earning a scolding expression from Papa Creola.

“I told you—”

Liv waved him off, interrupting him. “Yes, I know. It’s dangerous.”

“Because the genie will try and kill you after you use up your wishes,” Sophia guessed, realizing now why Liv had been acting so strange and asked her to find out the location of the genie’s bottle and enlist Evan’s help. It was all starting to come together…sort of.

Papa Creola shook his head. “No, Liv won’t use all the wishes so we won’t have to worry about Stan murdering her. At this point, she has to worry about me doing that.”

Liv laughed at him dryly. “I realize that using wish magic destroys the fabric of time, but you can sew it back together.”

He grimaced at her. “What do you not understand about the word ‘destroy?’”

“Fine.” Liv waved him off, seeming more like her old self as she bantered with the old man. “We’ll get you a new bolt of the fabric of time.”

“Again, not how it works,” he argued.

Liv stuck her hands on her hips. “We’ll endure one little snag to avoid my child being born a demon, okay?”

He considered her for a moment, matching her defiant expression. “We won’t resort to that option unless we know that it’s necessary.”

“You did get the location and also a means to get the genie’s bottle, right?” Liv asked Sophia.

She nodded and pulled out the map that Rudolf had made for them, having kept it in her cloak since he gave it to her. “Yes, and Evan agreed to help. We need to pin down when.”

“Or more importantly, if it’s necessary,” Papa Creola stated.

Sophia looked between him and Liv, confused. “What are we supposed to be doing, exactly?”

Liv sighed. “We have to determine if the baby has demon blood and therefore the potential to be one, first. According to Mr. Rules over here, anyway.”

Papa Creola’s eyes fluttered with annoyance. “Excuse me for not wanting to take unnecessary extremes if we don’t have to.”

“So how do we know if we need to use the genie’s bottle to retrieve Stan?” Sophia asked, realizing that Liv had planned on using a wish to fix the baby.

“You need to enlist an expert,” Papa Creola explained. “Someone who can help determine the child’s status.”

“Is there such a person?” Sophia asked. “Can we do that?”

Liv nodded. “Apparently.”

Sophia scratched her head. “Wait. Papa Creola, can’t you tell us what the baby will be? You often see the future and know what we’ll become.”

He shook his head. “I can’t see the child. Probably because something skews its timeline. It’s not fixed at this point.”

“Maybe because he or she is a demon,” Liv argued. “And we use the wish to reverse it.”

“Maybe,” Papa Creola stated. “It’s as likely that it’s because I’m too close to the situation. I’m losing my objectivity when it comes to you.”

Liv playfully batted her eyes at him. “You like me…you really do.”

“I’m your boss and need you back on cases,” he argued, but Sophia could spy the twitch of his eyes that marked his lie. Papa Creola didn’t want anything to happen to Liv, and giving birth to a demon was probably one of the worst things that could. It would kill her. The baby would go on to plague the Earth and have to be ended by its father. It was awful on all avenues. That much was clear.

“How do we find out about the baby?” Sophia asked, willing to drop everything at this point to devote her full attention to this. There was little else that was important at this point.

“His name is Renswick,” Papa Creola stated.

“The elf who helped to heal Stefan,” Sophia guessed.

Liv nodded. “Yeah, he’s an expert on demons. Our best chance of testing the baby.”

“Can’t you tell us if Renswick will be able to help?” Sophia sensed Liv’s and Papa Creaola’s doubt.

“That’s not how it works,” Papa Creola answered. “I’m not an all-knowing creature. I can sometimes see the future. Sometimes I can’t. Sometimes I know things. Sometimes I don’t.”

Liv grinned at Sophia. “Isn’t he cute? He’s sometimes helpful. Sometimes not. Sometimes a pain in the ass. Sometimes not…”

“Okay, so we need to go and see this Renswick.” Sophia angled her head in the direction of the door. “Let’s go.”

“You’re going?” Liv asked, surprised.

“Of course,” Sophia replied. “We’re in this together. I’m not letting you go through all this alone.”

“It’s fine, Soph. You’re busy, and I don’t need—”

“She needs your support,” Papa Creola cut in. “Go with her, Sophia, and both of you hurry. You do have other cases that demand your attention separately.”

Liv made for the door while shaking her head at the Father of Time. “It’s always rush, rush, go, go with you, Papa. I swear, if I were in charge of time, I’d be a lot chiller about it than you are.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

“That’s Renswick’s home?” Sophia stood on a grassy hill in a park directly across from an old Victorian house that stood out in the idyllic town of Ashland. Liv had warned Sophia that the small valley was home to many West Coast hippies, and that she shouldn’t make eye contact with them unless she wanted to be told her bogus fortune and also food allergies that she didn’t know were possible—like intolerance to beet juice or caraway seeds.

Liv nodded. “Yep. He doesn’t ever leave it because although he’s an elf, he can’t stand hippies.”

“Make sense.” Sophia noticed a horde of long-haired hippies frolicking in the distance. They were like carefree children, dancing while holding hands and singing with their chins straight up to the sky. That would have been inspiring on its own, but their children were crawling toward the nearby road where VW Bugs drove by or other shaggin’ wagon vehicles passed.

“Hey!” Liv yelled to the group, who were doing a lot more dancing than parenting. “Get your kid before she gets run over!”

A hippie playing the guitar looked up with a smile on his face. He glanced at the toddler crawling toward the road and back to Liv. “Daffodil is on her own journey. It’s not our place to corral her.”

Liv sighed, pointed, and flicked her finger in Daffodil’s direction. A short baby gate-type fence popped up along the road as the child neared it, preventing her from getting in the street. “I’m the tour guide for Daffodil’s journey, and I say she can’t get run over today.”

The guy shook his head and went back to playing the guitar, a look on his face that seemed to say, “You’re not ready.”

“I really think they all want me to kill them,” Liv seethed.

“So, Renswick.” Sophia indicated the Victorian, which was large and mostly black and white. The yard with the wrought iron fence and statues resembled a graveyard. “Something tells me he’s not all chipper like the hippies here with long tangled hair and dirty clothes.”

Liv shook her head. “Renswick is the anti-hippie. Thankfully, I had to get past his wards once, which means that we won’t have to fight the gargoyles, or as it were, not fight them because that was the riddle.”

Liv started forward, but Sophia held out a hand and stopped her sister.

Liv glanced up, looking around as if her sister had stopped her from getting hit by a passing car or hippie or something else crossing the road she hadn’t seen.

“Hey, I know that it’s probably hard to celebrate with all the unknowns, but congratulations on the baby.” Sophia offered her sister a simple smile.

Liv released a heavy breath, seeming to relax a little. “It’s hard to celebrate yet. For one, it doesn’t seem real. I never really considered myself mother material.”

Sophia pursed her lips. “If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t be the person that I am. I wouldn’t even be a dragonrider.”

“Soph, I abandoned you for five years.”

“You were a teenager,” Sophia argued. “Someone murdered our parents, and you were the only one willing to notice that it had something to do with those inside the House of Fourteen, who we were supposed to trust. I don’t think anyone faults you for leaving to maintain your sanity.”

Liv sighed, not at all appearing convinced. “This baby will be born to two Warriors for the House of Fourteen. It seems a little unfair to bring someone into the world who will have so much danger around them all the time.”

“Mom and Dad were Warriors and Councilors for the House of Fourteen,” Sophia offered. “You were constantly around danger, but that was because they believed in what they did, like you and Stefan. Isn’t that better than offering your child this safe existence where they don’t witness their parents fighting for a better life?”

Liv lowered her chin and regarded Sophia with an intense expression. “When did you get to be so wise?”

Sophia smirked at her sister. “I learned it firsthand from you, so think how much you’ll have to offer your child. They’ll be very lucky to have two talented and loving parents.”

Liv gulped, and Sophia spied the tension hiding behind the surface. “Yeah, I want to believe you’re correct, but first I have to ensure I’m not giving birth to a demon. Then I’d be contributing to the world’s problems.”

“If that’s the case, we’ll get the genie’s bottle and make everything right.”

Liv nodded, not at all appearing convinced. “Yeah, I guess so.”

Sophia grabbed her sister by the arm and tugged her across the road toward Renswick’s house. “Come on. Stop worrying before we know what’s going on. Even then, don’t worry because we have options. You’re going to have the best, most awesome baby in the world.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

The figure who opened the door almost reminded Sophia of a butler. Renswick wore an old-fashioned, tailored suit that was all black except for the starched white shirt under the jacket and vest and a single red rose in the lapel.

Sophia knew this was Renswick and not a butler because of his air of authority. It was subtle, but there was a dominance in his cold eyes that told her he owned this house. He opened his door because he was the only one there, or so Sophia guessed.

“Liv Beaufont, Warrior for the House of Fourteen.” Renswick sounded like someone speaking from centuries prior with a dignified nature to his tone. “I hadn’t expected the honor of your visit…or rather, the bad news that you could be bringing.”

Liv feigned a smile. “I’m sorry to call on you without warning. I’m not here regarding any bad news. It’s uncertain circumstances that I hope you can shine some light on.”

Renswick nodded. “I’m happy to be of service to you and your…friend?”

“Sister,” Sophia supplied and offered a hand to the elf. “I’m Sophia Beaufont.”

He eyed the offered hand and raised an eyebrow at her. “A dragonrider as well.”

“How do you know that?” Sophia asked, curious.

“The chi of the dragon simply radiates off you,” he answered, standing back. “Won’t you both come in, and we’ll get down to your requests, Liv.”

Dutifully, they both stepped into the house. No one had ever recognized Sophia as a dragonrider like that. This Renswick was already proving to be quite exceptional and observant.

He strode confidently down the hallway after shutting the door, seeming to expect them to follow him to a back room.

Sophia blinked at her surroundings, for a moment feeling like she’d stepped into a black and white movie. Almost everything in the house was varying shades of the two colors, and the objects she passed on the way to the sitting room were as curious as the color palette. There were all sorts of strange artifacts on display as well as interesting antiques. This definitely wasn’t the home of a hippie. Renswick was a fascinating character for sure.

“Can I offer you a drink?” Renswick asked once he’d led them to the back room, which was full of elegant furniture, all of it either black or white. “Maybe a brandy or a whiskey?”

Liv shook her head at once. “No, and we won’t take much of your time. It’s just that Father Time thinks you’re the only one who can determine something for me. You remember that when you healed Stefan of the demon bite that Sabatore’s blood remained in him?”

“Yes.” Renswick poured himself a glass of brownish liquid. “It will almost assuredly be to his benefit. Make him stronger, faster, have enhanced senses, and greater longevity.” He paused and suddenly looked up. “Is this about how he’s more sensitive to evil now? Is it controlling his impulses as I warned?”

“If by controlling, you mean that he hardly sleeps and hunts demons every chance he gets, then yes,” Liv replied with a laugh. “He’s learned how to corral the urges. We know his limitations and keep him away from situations that would be too overwhelming.”

“Very good.” Renswick sipped his drink. “Then what is it that brings you here today?”

“Stefan and I are married now,” Liv began, her tone uncertain.

“Well, then congratulations are in order.” Renswick held up his glass. “A toast to you and the demon hunter.” He smiled, then his mouth twitched, and he lowered his drink once more, his expression shifting. “Ooooh…I think I understand…”

Liv nodded. “I thought you might.”

“You’ve conceived then,” he guessed.

“Correct.”

“You’re worried that the child could…”

“It’s a possibility, isn’t it?” Liv asked. “The baby could have Stefan’s blood.”

“They most assuredly do,” Renswick answered. “What you need to determine is if it’s his magician blood or that of the demon.”

“If it was, would it be a problem?” Sophia dared to ask, gaining the attention of the other two in the room. She swallowed and collected herself. Sometimes she still felt like a child having discussions in an adult’s world. “I mean, Stefan was given the antidote, which kept him from turning. So it goes to reason that the child, if it has the demon’s blood, is also immune from the negative effect.”

Renswick exhaled, his gaze off in thought for a moment. “It’s possible, but it’s a risky wager. I’d be more likely to assume that the child would gravitate toward shifting into a demon. You see, the antidote cured Stefan from shifting, but he retained the demon blood. That means the cure resides in him, stopping the blood from turning him into a monster. The child, well, the child would have gotten the blood, the demon’s DNA, without the antidote.”

“Could you administer a dose of the cure to the baby?” Sophia asked.

“I could,” Renswick reasoned. “But first, that’s risky to do to a young infant. Second, I simply don’t have any more. I used it all to cure Stefan.”

“I have a solution if we determine that the child has demon blood,” Liv stated. “It’s not something we want to employ unless we have to. That’s why I need your help. Renswick, can you run tests or do something to figure out if the baby has demon blood?”

“Yes, but we must hurry,” Renswick said in a rush, finishing his drink and setting it down, hurrying for a case sitting on a nearby bookshelf.

“I’m sorry to have dropped in on you,” Liv stated apologetically. “I didn’t want to pull you away from anything.”

He shook his head, opened a briefcase, and withdrew a series of medical instruments. “I have little concern for my schedule or your interruption. You were right to come and see me. I simply believe we must hurry and determine the status of the child because if they have demon blood, then you’ll have a small window of time to remedy the situation.”

“I will?” Liv asked, her eyes wide. “Why?”

“There’s little information on the subject,” Renswick began. “However, demon babies grow fast. They, like the living, breathing form they would become, suck the life from around them.”

Sophia gasped, realizing the full implications of what he was saying. “The baby would deplete Liv, wouldn’t it?”

He nodded darkly. “I’m afraid so. We don’t know how long we have. The tests I’ll need to run will take some time to complete. I’ll do them as fast as I can to get results but not compromise their integrity. Liv, every day that you’re pregnant with that child, you could be at serious risk.”

Liv nodded. “I realize that.”

“Are you sure you simply want to determine the child’s status?” he asked. “It might be easier—”

“No, I want the baby,” she said adamantly, cutting him off. “I’m willing to take the risk. It’s worth it.”

Not needing to be convinced anymore, Renswick nodded and motioned Liv over. “Very well then. Let me get some samples, and I’ll get to work on the tests. Do come over, would you?”

Sophia watched as Liv strode over to the elegantly dressed and undeniably competent man. She felt confident that he possessed the skills to help Liv. She now knew that even if Liv was nervous about becoming a parent, she wanted this for her and Stefan. What worried Sophia was if they’d all regret her taking this risk.

This child could be a blessing, or it very well could be the end of Liv Beaufont.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

The green dragon swooped through the air over the Expanse of the Gullington, flapping her wings and sailing effortlessly up to the clouds. Speeding behind her were two other dragons. Riders didn’t accompany them, but the new dragons were getting stronger, better at flying. Soon, they’d be ready for their riders.

Sophia gazed across the Expanse where the new dragonriders also looked up at the sky, watching their dragons soar around the clouds, spiraling and speeding along. Sophia also read the tension on Cooper’s face, and she imagined he wondered how he would hold onto his dragon when she barreled through the air, high off the ground.

“Remember when you were as petrified as him?” Lunis asked by her side.

She rolled her eyes. “I was never petrified,” she argued. “If I remember correctly, I wanted to ride you, and you simply refused.”

He snorted at her, smoke issuing from his nostrils. “I was testing you. You were asking for permission, and I wanted you to get to the point where you knew when to make demands and when you knew when not to because as much as I like you, at the end of the day, I can eat you.”

“You know what else it is at the end of the day?” Sophia watched as Evan urged the younger, less experienced dragonriders to join him for combat training on the other side of the lawn.

“What?” Lunis asked.

“Night,” Sophia answered at once.

Lunis groaned, apparently not appreciating her joke. “Leave the comedy to me.”

Sophia harrumphed. “If I remember correctly, you said during our time together that I’d make three requests of you that were essentially demands.”

He nodded. “The first was the first ride.”

“Which was so I could save the day and investigate Thad Reinhart’s facility.”

“Hey, I’m not chopped liver, and contributed on that case,” Lunis stated. “I mean, I was your ride, wasn’t I?”

“Yeah, my flying Uber,” Sophia joked, earning an eye-roll from her dragon.

“Again, I could use a snack.”

She giggled. “Then I requested for you to abandon me to get Mahkah to safety when he was harmed while we were getting the token.”

“I remember.”

“So that means I have one more blind request I get to make and you have to comply with regardless.”

“Is this your way of hinting at wanting to make your final request?” Lunis asked. “Do you want me to roll over and do a trick for you? Play dead? Let you rub my belly? Or do you crave some frozen yogurt? I can take you for a run if you’d like. Maybe some white chocolate mousse ice cream with Reese’s Pieces?”

“Why do most of those things sound like things you want to do?” Sophia questioned. “No, I’m not wasting my last request so easily. I’m going to make it something good. Something you wouldn’t do otherwise.”

He nodded. “Like tolerate Wilder?”

Sophia laughed. “No, I’m not asking for that.”

“Good.” Lunis sighed. “Because it’s supposed to be a request, not a miracle.”

“Oh, come on,” Sophia complained while watching the new riders running through various training exercises under Evan’s and Wilder’s supervision. Mahkah was guiding the dragons in the sky close by. Sophia glanced over her shoulder at the Castle in the distance and pictured that Hiker was probably watching the whole thing from his office window.

“Everything is shifting here at the Gullington, isn’t it?” she asked Lunis when they’d been quiet for a long moment.

He nodded, a peaceful look in his eyes. “It feels right though. Like the timing is good and will work in our favor. If we’d had new angel dragonriders before, it might not have worked, but we’re ready. The dragons are ready.”

Sophia sighed. “Let’s hope when we leave here that the world will be ready.”

“That’s something that has less to do with us and more to do with the world,” Lunis stated, taking on a sage-like tone. “We can only ever be in charge of our evolution and preparedness. When they’re ready, the new riders will venture out into the world, and whether it’s ready or not won’t be up to us. Sometimes these things have to be forced though.”

“I don’t know,” Sophia said with uncertainty.

“Those three new dragons,” Lunis began, indicating the majestic creatures in the air, “when they first were reunited at the Gullington, there were small skirmishes. They’d grown, come into their skills and grown territorial.”

Sophia shook her head. “I bet you’re happier than ever to have your place right now.”

“Don’t you know it,” Lunis agreed. “There were all sorts of problems, but the elder dragons or I didn’t intervene because breaking them up wasn’t up to us. Maybe they weren’t ready to interact yet, but there was no way for us to delay it. So, trial by fire. There were fights and wounds and drama and now, look at them.”

Sophia smiled up at the sky. “They’re fine.”

“They’re better than fine. They needed to go through that rocky period to get to where they are now. It’s part of the process. So the world may not be ready for dragonriders after everything that’s happened, but it’s going to get us regardless. We’ll weather the challenges.”

Sophia loved when Lunis joked and was silly. It made it all the more special when she knew he was capable of dipping into his wise persona, offering timeless wisdom.

“Hey, Little Bit!” Evan called in Sophia’s direction.

She simply nodded in return.

“I need my ax from the weapons room in the Castle,” he called to her and snapped his fingers.

Sophia smirked. “That sounds like a ‘you’ problem.”

“I was making it your problem,” Evan stated while striding over. “Since you and your puppy are hanging out, I thought you could go fetch it for me.”

“I’m horrible at fetch, as far as puppies go,” Lunis stated. “We can work on my skills, Evan. Run off over there, and I’ll fetch you with my teeth.”

“I thought Hiker wanted you on big-picture Rogue Rider stuff,” Evan said to Sophia, ignoring Lunis.

She nodded. “No leads have come in. I’m waiting to hear from my contacts about criminals. I have eyes and ears keeping surveillance. I’m ready to spring into action.”

Evan shrugged. “Seems like you could be doing more. Like getting my ax from the Castle.”

“I could, but I need to conserve my energy for the important tasks.”

Evan shook his head and glanced up at the Castle. “Speaking of the boss, looks like he’s calling you. I bet you’re in trouble for slacking off.”

Sophia turned, striding in the Castle's direction where Hiker Wallace stood on the steps, his hands on his hips and his eyes watching the activity on the Expanse. “Maybe you’re right. Maybe I’ll get fired.”

Evan’s eyes lit up. “Oh, a man can dream. That would be the total best.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

“Sir, if this is about Pink Princess’ insubordinate nature then I agree that it’s overdue that you discipline her,” Evan sang as he strode up to the Castle beside Sophia.

“Evan, what are you doing here?” Hiker scolded, his meaty arms across his chest. “You’re supposed to be training the new dragonriders.”

“I realize that, sir.” Evan slightly bowed as they approached. “I needed my lucky ax and Sophia, who was lolly-gagging with her dragon and not helping at all, refused to go up to the Castle to get it for me. So here I am.”

“She’s not your servant.” Hiker looked down his nose at Evan. “And those who are your servant, you shouldn’t take advantage of, if you know what I mean.”

Evan nodded. “Coming from you, I know exactly what you mean. You’re the person who’s harbored feelings for our old housekeeper for centuries and have now moved her out of the position and given her special privileges that are mostly outside the Dragon Elite.”

Hiker narrowed his eyes at the dragonrider. “Our situation is different. I’m simply saying, don’t make Trin unhappy with your drama. I can’t afford to replace her if you screw things up with her.”

“What if I make her so happy that she’s the best housekeeper this place has ever seen?” Evan challenged and shrugged. “Although the bar is set awfully low.”

“Do you want me to punch him in the face, sir?” Sophia asked, quite seriously. “Or would you rather do it?”

Hiker shook his head. “I’ll ignore his acting out. I’m certain the Castle will punish his bad behavior since it has a particular fondness for Ainsley.”

“It also has a particular fondness for Trin,” Evan argued. “I make her smile.”

“You also make Quiet want to vomit, so I’m not as hopeful that the Castle won’t punish you for your brazen statements,” Sophia retorted.

He shrugged, strode past Hiker, and into the building. “Let the darn Castle do its worst to me. It’s already locked me in my room, taken all my things and put them on the Expanse, and terrorized me in every possible way for the last hundred years. I’m certain it’s out of tricks at this point. I mean, it is old and going senile by now.”

Sophia shook her head at Evan as he disappeared into the Castle. “It’s like he’s asking for the punishment.”

Hiker agreed with a nod. “I’m certain that he likes the abuse. It gives him attention and a reason to complain, without which he wouldn’t have anything to talk about.”

Sophia asked. “You needed me, sir? Is this about the Rogue Riders? I’m still researching leads. Nothing concrete yet, but hopefully soon.”

“Very good. No, this is about something…” Uncertainty filled his eyes. “It’s more of a personal thing I need help with.”

“Oh?” Sophia asked, suddenly curious. She couldn’t remember a time when Hiker asked her for anything personal. She’d assisted with giving him the reset point and learning about his history with Ainsley, but that had been different. Now it seemed he hoped for a favor.

“I don’t want anyone to know about it,” Hiker began. “Which is why I’m asking for your help and your discretion.”

Sophia nodded. “Of course, sir. What can I do?”

“I need you to find something. The Castle is downright refusing to help me, and I know that it took it. I also know that for whatever reason, the Castle favors you.”

“Because I’m nice to it and don’t disrespect it,” Sophia offered.

He rolled his eyes. “Give it another few decades of it taking your things and changing the layout of the hallways on you, and that will fade. Then you’ll curse it the same as the rest of us.”

“Well, this thing you need me to find,” Sophia began tentatively. “What is it?”

“I can’t tell you,” he stated.

Sophia nodded as though this made perfect sense. “Great. I’ll get right on it. So, I’m looking for something that I don’t know what it is. Do you want to give me a hint of where to look or should I stumble around blindly?”

He sighed. “I really can’t tell you what it is. However, it’s in a small red velvet pouch that has orange tassels on the ties.”

“Okay, that’s marginally helpful,” Sophia conceded and quickly added, “I promise not to look inside if I find it.”

Hiker nodded, relief flickering in his eyes. “Thank you.”

“Why do you think I’ll be able to find it when you can’t?”

“Because as I previously mentioned, the Castle likes you,” Hiker explained. “Also, it’s easier to find something if it belonged to you or at least someone in your family.”

“Wait, what you’re looking for belonged to a Beaufont?” Then a brief memory rose to the surface of when Sophia was in Adam Rivalry’s room. There was an old picture of the dragonriders, and one of them was an Oscar Beaufont. So much had happened after that that she’d forgotten about it.

Hiker nodded. “Oscar gave it to me centuries ago. It was an heirloom, but he wanted me to have it. Anyway, it was right before the Great War broke out and everything went to hell with Thad Reinhart and the rest of the world.”

“So it’s yours?” Sophia asked.

He nodded. “I think you might have better luck finding it though. At least, I hope so.”

“Okay, then I’ll start looking.” Sophia sensed this was of great importance to Hiker, for whatever reason. However, she would respect his privacy, although she was exploding with curiosity about what her ancestor gave Hiker and was lost somewhere in the Castle.

She had to hope that she found it and that in time, Hiker shared with her what it was. They had made progress after all, and she considered him a friend. Based on the trusting look he gave her with the task, she wanted to assume he thought of her in the same way.

CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

“Where is my blasted ax?” Evan asked out loud with no one else around. He stopped outside his room, having already checked the weapons hall.

“You’ve done something with it, haven’t you?” Evan looked around at the walls of the Castle, accusing it while holding up a fist. “You know, you might have some power over me, but I’m not letting it get to me. You can take my ax. I’ll get another one. What you’re mad about is that I’m so handsome, and you’re just a pile of rocks. I’m dating the housekeeper, and all she does is mop your floors.” He chuckled. “I guess if I were you and musty and old, I’d steal my ax too.”

Evan turned the corner, thinking he was headed back for the entryway, but finding the corridor to look a little different than the last time he was there—which had been only a few minutes prior.

“Wait, what the what?” He spun and found a brick wall that cut him off, making a dead end.

Evan sighed. “Oh, very funny. This is your punishment, is it Castle? That’s fine. Turn me all around and make this place into a maze. I’ll find my way out eventually. Then I’ll find my ax and hack into your walls. See who’s laughing when you’re all broken down to pieces. Oh, and wait until you see what I have in store for you at our next breakfast session.”

Evan knew that his threats were pretty useless, but he’d played this game with the Castle enough to know that it liked it. If he pretended to ignore the Castle or Quiet, as it were, then it would act out more. For whatever masochistic reasons, the old gnome liked being picked on.

Second, Evan knew that the “punishments” never lasted too long. The Castle would try to confuse him. Hide his stuff. Trick him a little. Evan would act frustrated, and when the Castle felt satisfied with the job it had done, it would put everything back to normal, and they’d go back to how things were…well, until the next time.

Evan strode down the corridor on the second floor. It was unrecognizable from any other hallway he’d seen in the Castle. That wasn’t unusual. After a hundred years, the Castle didn’t really look the same from day to day. However, this time, Evan didn’t recognize any part of it. There wasn’t the usual suit of armor in what he guessed was the eastern hallway that led to the great staircase.

“Have you had a nap?” Evan asked the Castle, sensing that it had some pent-up energy after taking a snooze. It was such a strange beast and not totally the groundskeeper. Ainsley had tried to explain it to him once, and it made his head hurt. The Castle was apparently part of the gnome. It was like his heart or head or something. All Evan knew was that it was whacked-out crazy at the moment.

He strode down the hallway, blinking at the far end. It seemed to go on for miles.

“Stupid deceptive visuals,” Evan muttered to himself. The Castle either did change, or it appeared it had changed, but for Evan’s mind, it was two of the same.

He felt the entryway draft, with the fresh scent of the mountains wafting in from the Expanse. That meant the great staircase would be up ahead.

“Ha-ha,” he triumphantly called to the Castle. “You can make it look like one thing, but you can’t erase what’s there.”

Evan turned abruptly and put his hand to a seemingly solid wall and found that his hand went through it like it was indeed an illusion.

“Bam!” Evan exclaimed. “Found the great staircase even with your tricks. You’re losing your edge, old shorty!”

Evan was about to feel around for the banister so he could safely step onto the great staircase and through the faux wall. However, he caught a strange statue in his peripheral vision that seemed to have appeared out of nowhere.

Turning to face it directly, Evan tilted his head, finding it incredibly curious. “What are you and where did you come from?”

The statue was an angel that matched his height. It was made of gray stone and wore a long flowing gown tied at the waist, and its wings spread behind it. It was unclear whether the angel was female or male because it had its face covered with both hands. Evan got the strange impression that it was weeping.

CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

How was she supposed to find something when she didn’t know what she was looking for? Sophia wondered while striding through the Castle. She searched everywhere for the pouch that Hiker described, half-expecting to find it lying on the floor when she turned various corners.

It was strange that whatever the object was had belonged to Oscar Beaufont. Why had Oscar given it to Hiker? And right before the Great War? The timing was odd. Sophia hadn’t given much thought to her ancestor, who had been a dragonrider. Now she’d learned that Hiker knew him. She guessed that she would have assumed that since she found her ancestor’s picture in Adam Rivalry’s room with many other dragonriders.

Oscar had been alive right before the Great War. Sophia guessed that he became a war casualty like so many Dragon Elite when they faced Thad Reinhart’s army.

The Castle was so overwhelmingly large that it could take some time to find the pouch. There were at least five stories and a basement and possibly more stories, depending on the Castle’s mood and whether it had napped lately, which usually meant additions and renovations.

Before, when Quiet had required that Sophia find various parts of a key to “unlock” Lunis’ Pad, she had enlisted Trin’s help, knowing that the housekeeper got around the Castle more than anyone else. However, Sophia knew she couldn’t do that this time. Hiker had asked her to keep things private on this matter, and she respected that. He trusted her not to look in the pouch, and she couldn’t require that of Trin. Also, Sophia suspected that she needed to search for and find the bag. If it was easier for residents of the Castle to find something if it belonged to their family, that meant she was the one who had to look for it.

The possibilities of where it could be were overwhelming. Sophia found herself in a study of sorts, but it wasn’t Hiker’s. She didn’t think there was another one in the Castle since she hadn’t run across this particular room yet. That spoke to the reality of how hard it would be to find this mystery object.

Sophia opened the top drawer of the desk in the middle of the dusty room, finding various objects within like quills and ink wells and papers. No velvet pouch.

She sighed and closed the drawer. A poof of dust sprang into the air and made her cough. She covered her mouth and coughed again.

“Castle, do you think you can point me in the direction of this pouch Hiker needs?” Sophia asked. “We can play the hot and cold game. Or you could simply put the object in front of me. I won’t tell Hiker. I’ll make it sound like it was a complicated scavenger hunt, and I only won it due to my diligent efforts.”

She waited for a response. When there wasn’t one, Sophia ducked and went back to rummaging in the desk.

“Evan?” Trin called from the hallway. “Is that you?”

Sophia tilted her head, listening as the cyborg drew closer. “It’s me, Trin.”

She lifted from behind the desk as Trin poked her head through the open door. “You looking for Evan?”

Trin nodded, looking worried and confused. “I haven’t seen this room before.”

“I know.” Sophia pushed to her feet. “I just found it myself. I guess it’s not new since there’s a fine layer of dust on everything.”

“Whose office is it?” Trin looked around at the various maps on the walls.

Sophia glanced at the papers on the desk, looking for a name. She probably shouldn’t have been surprised when she saw a familiar one at the bottom of a correspondence. It read,

Sincerely,

Oscar Beaufont

Sophia gulped, wondering what the implications of her stumbling across her ancestor’s office were. Timing had to be a factor as well.

“It’s one of my relatives’,” Sophia answered.

“Oh, wow.” Trin’s eyes widened. “That’s amazing that there have been two Beaufonts who were members of the Dragon Elite.”

“Amazing,” Sophia agreed, off in thought, trying to string together why something suddenly felt out of place. “Also perplexing.” She shook off the confusion and pulled her chin up. “You were looking for Evan. He was downstairs looking for his ax in the weapons room.”

Trin’s brow creased in a frown. “That’s the thing. I was in the weapons room organizing when I got the distinct impression that Evan is lost.”

“Lost?” Sophia asked. “How could he be lost? He knows his way around pretty easily, although…” She looked around at the new-slash-old office they’d found. “I guess that doesn’t really apply to the Castle.”

Trin nodded. “I don’t think I’ll know my way around this place even after a century. I feel bad for the new riders.”

Sophia perked up. “The new riders. When I first got to the Castle, Ainsley told me that someone should accompany me to and from my room until I got used to the place. Not only because it’s big and changes on a whim, but because the Castle likes to play tricks on new residents. Maybe that’s the feeling you had, that one of the new riders got lost in the Castle.”

“Maybe.” Trin didn’t sound convinced as she strode over to a set of drapes and pulled them back.

The afternoon light streamed through, giving the room a whole new look. It was then that Sophia realized there had been lamps on in the office, as though the Castle expected them to enter it.

Trin peered out the window, craning her head to look around. “One, two, three,” she counted and pointed out the window before turning to face Sophia. “All the new dragonriders are on the Expanse.”

“And Evan?” Sophia asked. “Maybe he already got his ax and returned to the grounds before you went into the weapons room.”

Trin looked around the grounds again and shook her head. “I don’t see him, and there’s Mahkah with the dragons and Wilder training the new riders.”

Sophia pulled her mouth to the side, thinking. “That’s weird. Well, I’m sure he’ll show up. He probably got distracted by his reflection in a mirror and is lavishing himself with compliments.”

Trin laughed, taking notice of Sophia behind the desk. “Are you looking for something?”

“Sort of,” Sophia answered. “I mean, yes.”

“Oh, can I help?” Trin asked. “Like I did with the key pieces?”

“Thanks,” Sophia answered. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

When a look of disappointment flickered over Trin’s face, Sophia quickly added, “Well, and that’s mostly because I don’t know what I’m looking for. I have a feeling that the Castle has me on a detective mission, but I don’t have any clues at this point.”

Trin nodded, seemingly relieved. “I guess there would be all sorts of interesting things you’d find in your ancestor’s office. Maybe there’s a family secret…”

Sophia nodded. “I’m certain there are tons of family secrets.” She looked around at the many cabinets and shelves. “Unearthing them will be the fun part.”

Trin laughed. “I like that you use the word fun when most might be overwhelmed by such a task.”

“Well, overwhelmed fits too,” Sophia agreed, then thought of something. “Hey, Trin, I wondered if we could have a Thanksgiving dinner here. I know that most aren’t Americans, but with the holiday coming up, I hoped we could bring it to the Gullington. I mean, we have a lot to be grateful for even if there are a lot of complications for the Dragon Elite out there in the world.”

Trin thought about it for a moment. “I’m happy to do it, but it all depends on what ingredients the Castle offers me. I can’t make a turkey dinner without a turkey.”

Sophia nodded and giggled. “That’s true. Well, maybe the Castle will comply. I think it would be nice to have a celebration. Something to welcome the new riders to the Gullington and make it feel festive. Christmas is coming up after all, so getting in the holiday spirit would be fun.”

Trin returned the smile. “Okay, I’ll see what I can do. What kind of pie would you prefer?”

“Chocolate,” Sophia said at once, not having to think on it.

“Chocolate?” Trin asked. “That’s not a very traditional flavor of pie for Thanksgiving. No apple or pumpkin or sweet potato?”

Sophia grimaced. “Can we keep the fruit and vegetables out of dessert, please?”

Trin winked at her. “Fair enough. You don’t ask for much, and that seems like a reasonable request. Chocolate pie it is, then.”

“Thanks,” Sophia said as her phone rang in her pocket. She withdrew it, surprised to see who was calling her. Sophia sighed, preparing for the headache that would no doubt follow afterward. She accepted the call and put the phone to her ear.

“What’s up, King Rudolf?”

CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

Evan studied the angel statue for a long moment before deciding that he’d better get back to work on the Expanse training the new dragonriders. He spun to the faux wall and heard something move behind him.

Tensing, Evan turned back around to find the angel statue closer. “Did you just move?” he asked the object as if it would answer him back.

It didn’t.

Shaking his head, Evan turned back around, realizing that the Castle was attempting to play games with him. “Lame attempt, Castle. Angel statues that sneak up on me.” He waved his hands in the air. “Oh, I’m sooooo scared.”

There was more movement at Evan’s back as he neared the fake wall. Again he turned with a smirk. This time the angel statue was even closer, but now its hands weren’t obscuring its face but instead held its arms as though it was blocking out bright sunlight.

“What the hell?” Evan asked. He studied the statue, trying to see around its hands to determine what its face looked like. Deciding this wasn’t worth his time, Evan shrugged and spun back for the staircase.

There was a swooshing sound at his back and a rush of air. Evan, feeling like he was about to be run over, whipped around to find the angel almost right upon him. Now he got the glimpse he’d wanted.

The thing was scary as hell with its stone eyes wide and its teeth bared like a vampire’s. Evan nearly stumbled back, trying to gain distance from the thing that was right on top of him.

“Whoa, man!” Evan exclaimed, catching himself on the real part of the wall that was solid and didn’t lead to the edge of the stairs where he could have fallen to his death…or more likely, a really bad headache. “Dude, Castle, are you trying to make me break my neck with your creepy angel? There’s playing around, and there’s being plain mean, and I think you can guess what this is.”

He waited, expecting the Castle to make another move. Maybe have its angel statue attack him or something.

Evan shook his head and scoffed at the statue. “I guess that’s all you’ve got, Castle. You’re such a coward, having an angel fight your battles. Well, a stone statue can’t best me, and I think we both know that.”

Daring to take his eyes off the angel statue again, Evan turned for the stairs, but this time he didn’t find the faux wall. All he saw was blackness as he was transported through space and dropped into a new corridor that he recognized as belonging to the fifth floor. He landed hard on the stone floor with a little more force than he thought was necessary.

Evan stood and dusted himself off. “Seriously, now you’re moving me around this place? That’s your new game? Seems pretty dull, Castle. I guess that’s all you’ve got.”

He glanced out the window once he came to a bend in the hallway and found that the guys were still on the Expanse, training. “If I get in trouble for being late, you’re going to pay, Castle,” he threatened before turning the corner and halting at the sight of the figure at the far end of the corridor.

It was another one of those stone angel statues. This one like the other with its hands covering its weeping face.

CHAPTER FORTY

“What’s up?” Sophia asked King Rudolf over the phone as Trin waved and trotted back down the corridor, probably continuing her search for Evan.

“4 Non Blondes,” Rudolf answered randomly. “Okay, my turn to give you a song title and you name the band. Fun and Games.”

“What? What are you talking about?”

“Nope,” Rudolf replied. “There are a few artists who have had songs with Fun and Games as the title. I would have accepted Kelsea Ballerini, The Connells, Tiahzzi Cherrelle, Chuck Mangione, Giulia, and Pennywise.”

“Are you high right now?” Sophia asked, quite seriously.

“Probably,” Rudolf replied. “Also, I don’t get why What’s Up is called that because the entire song, the 4 Non Blondes say, ‘What’s going on,’ not ‘What’s up.’”

“This seems like a really good use of my time,” Sophia testily responded. “Is this about Ramy? Is he working out okay? You haven’t ordered him to make certain life choices, have you?”

“Ramy?” Rudolf questioned. “I don’t know a Ramy.”

Sophia sighed. “The guy I hired to man Heals Pills.”

“Oh, Ramy-Cans!” Rudolf stated. “Sorry, that’s my pet name for him. I didn’t recognize the name before when you said it.”

“I’m not going to explain why that defies logic,” Sophia muttered.

“He’s fine,” Rudolf stated. “He’s great with the customers and keeps things stocked. Totally took a load off me so I could return to my kingdom business. Although Ramy-Cans does try to sell our customers books that he’s written. He likes to slip it into the conversation, seemingly casually.”

“Good.” Sophia sighed in relief. “That was the concern my fairy godmother had, as well as you having time for your project with Lee, I think.”

“Lee?” Rudolf questioned. “I don’t know a Lee.”

“The assassin baker who you’re going into business with to use her talents to fix water supplies worldwide,” Sophia supplied.

“Oh, you mean Lee-Beans. You want to know what my nickname is for you?”

“Not really.” Sophia looked around the office that belonged to Oscar Beaufont and wondered what she was searching for.

“Sophia-Duck,” Rudolf said abruptly.

Instinctively, Sophia ducked. She spun when on the floor, looking for something that could have knocked into her. There wasn’t anything.

“Why did you tell me to duck?” she asked into the phone still pressed to the side of her head.

“I didn’t. That’s your nickname from me. Sophia-Duck.”

“That’s weird,” Sophia replied.

“Yeah, and Liv is Liv-Ace. Rory is Rory-Soary. Stefan is Stefan-the-Horrible.”

“Although this is fascinating information, can we get to the reason you called?” Sophia stood from her crouched position.

“Sure thing,” Rudolf stated casually. “Not a big deal at all, but I thought that you should know about something.”

“If it’s a weird rash you got from Serena, I don’t need to know details. Use some of the Heals Pills ointment.”

“Heavens no,” Rudolf stated. “Those rashes cleared up ages ago.”

“What a relief,” Sophia said dryly.

“Anyway, I returned to my kingdom to find some mean guys circulating in Las Vegas,” Rudolf explained.

Sophia tensed, remembering that there had been a spotting of dragons in Las Vegas. “Mean guys?”

“Yeah, and not the ones like usual who come in and question me about avoiding tax laws and ask if I’m abiding by gambling laws.”

“You mean the Feds?” Sophia questioned.

“I call them a name I can’t say,” Rudolf retorted. “But yeah, this isn’t them. They’ve been on the Strip, intimidating the tourists and roughing up the locals. I thought you might want to know about it.”

“Why is that?” Sophia asked.

“Well, because I know how much you like animals and they’re really mean to the ones they ride.”

“Dragons?” Sophia’s pulse beat wildly. “Are they riding dragons?”

“Big old lizards,” Rudolf stated. “They’re huge, have wings, blow fire from their mouths, and roar really loud.”

“So dragons?” Sophia repeated.

Rudolf sighed. “Honestly, I couldn’t say. I’m not a zoologist. All I know is that I sense these mean guys are going to keep making trouble in my city and I can’t have that. Not when I’m trying to sell the city to Asian businessmen. It makes me look like I don’t control this place. I think Mr. Matoshima will only buy that the giant flying lizards are a theatrical stunt for so long.”

“I have so many questions for you on a variety of subjects that you’ve just mentioned, but we’ll have to get to them later.”

“Oh, do you have parkour lessons to get to too?” Rudolf asked.

Sophia shook her head. “No, but the Dragon Elite will be there soon. Stay on alert and let me know if anything changes. We’re coming to defend your city for you.”

“Great! If you’re stopping by the store, will you bring me a bag of jelly beans? I always work up an appetite from my parkour practice.”

“No, but I’ll save your butt if it comes to that,” Sophia confidently affirmed while making for the hallway, intent on rounding up the others.

“You know, and here I thought we were friends.” Rudolf sounded offended. “All you can think about is my rear end and how nice it looks in slim fit jeans. If Serena finds out about this...”

Sophia shook her head. “We’ll be there within the hour, Ru. Stay inside and safe. Things might escalate fast if this is the Rogue Riders and we have to defend Las Vegas from their attacks again.”

“Sounds exciting. I’ll roast some popcorn and pull up a front-row seat by my penthouse windows. Try to keep the action on the east side of the Cosmopolitan next to the Bellagio.”

“Sure thing,” Sophia said and added, “See you soon, Rudolf-Mins.”

CHAPTER FORTY-ONE

“Where the hell is Evan?” Sophia strode across the Expanse toward Mahkah and Wilder, and their dragons lined up behind them, Lunis landing gracefully.

They both shook their heads. “We haven’t seen him.”

“Neither have Mama Jamba or Hiker.” Sophia had questioned them as she suited up for what she expected to be a battle in Las Vegas. “Well, we’ll have to go without him.”

“He probably realized that the new dragonriders were already mastering skills he’s struggled with for a century and is crying in his bed,” Wilder remarked with a laugh.

“They’re doing quite well,” Mahkah affirmed in a serious tone.

“That joke fell as flat as your hair,” Lunis blithely needled Wilder.

Reflexively, Wilder’s hand went for his hair. “Hey, my hair isn’t flat. It has tons of body.”

“It looks fine.” Sophia strode up to her dragon.

“See there,” Wilder smugly retorted. “My girlfriend likes my hair.” Like a child and not a two-hundred-year-old dragonrider, he stuck his tongue out at the blue dragon.

“Real mature.” Sophia shook her head.

Wilder pointed at Lunis. “He started it. He’s jealous that I have a girlfriend who is so supportive.”

“Are you two going to do this again on this mission?” Sophia questioned, partly amused by Wilder’s and Lunis’ antics but hiding it.

“Probably,” Mahkah interjected.

“I’m not jealous. I don’t have a girlfriend,” Lunis stated. “Although I do know a female dragon who’d be mad if she heard me say that.”

“Good one.” Wilder laughed.

“It was also a good line the first time that Mitch Hedberg said it.” Sophia swung her leg over her dragon and prepared for takeoff. In the distance, the three new dragonriders watched them as they got ready to leave the Gullington.

“They know what they’re supposed to do while we’re gone?” Sophia indicated the three men.

Mahkah nodded. “Sharpen their swords. Sharpen their minds. Sharpen their skills.”

“Also, I’ve sent them on a hunt,” Wilder added while mounting his dragon, Simi.

“A hunt?” Sophia curiously questioned.

“To find their personalities,” Wilder answered with a sly grin.

She tilted her head and gave him a look that said, “Oh, come on. Give them a break.”

“He’s right,” Lunis stated. “Those three are about as dull as Simi and Tala and the other elders.”

Simi huffed and nobly put her head in the air. Tala, like her rider Mahkah, didn’t seem to care about the jab.

“They’re nervous,” Sophia defended and grabbed the reins. “Imagine how intimidating it has to be for them to join the ranks of the Dragon Elite.”

“I think we’re all in a position to do that,” Wilder argued. “Although none of us knew how to do it when dragons were thought to be extinct, or there hadn’t been a new rider in one hundred years or ever a female rider.”

“That’s true,” Mahkah stated from atop Tala while taking a position next to the other two dragons and riders. “If anyone should have been reserved, it would have been Sophia.”

Lunis laughed. “Fat chance of that ever happening.”

Sophia rolled her eyes. “I was respectful of the Dragon Elite’s traditions in the beginning. It’s not like I came in here flaunting my ways and ignoring the dragonriders’ ancient culture.”

“You introduced electricity and gadgets to the Castle,” Wilder argued.

“You let me sleep in your room even though Hiker was adamantly against it,” Lunis added.

“Also, you, Sophia,” Mahkah began, “went on missions although Hiker was against us intervening in the world’s affairs at that time.”

She shook her head at the stoic Native American. “Not you too? You’re not joining these Laffy Taffies, are you?”

“Just recalling the facts,” he stated simply.

“My point,” Sophia began with a great inflection on the words, “is that the new dragonriders will take some time to adjust. I’m sure in time, they’ll banter and joke along with the rest of us. They’re trying to assimilate into an old world that’s thought of hesitantly by the new world. It can’t be easy for them.”

Mahkah nodded. Wilder too.

Lunis, however, shook his head in the direction of the dragonriders watching them about to take off through the Barrier. “Learn some jokes, newbies! I want you to make me laugh, or I’m toasting you upon my return.”

Sophia shook her head at Lunis as the three dragons started forward in a rush, their wings effortlessly moving as they picked up speed before they launched into the air in unison, a beautifully choreographed dance.

CHAPTER FORTY-TWO

“I’ve got a blonde joke for y’all,” Lunis said through the howling wind as they soared through the air. They were gaining altitude as they rode toward the Barrier. Soon, there would only be the soft whistling of the clouds as they flew through them.

“I’m not a fan of those,” Sophia declared.

“Can we make them mousy brunette jokes?” Wilder offered.

Lunis shook his head. “That won’t work. We all know that blondes aren’t dumb, Sophia. They’re merely easy targets. I need you to be secure on these matters.”

“Cool,” Sophia replied. “After you tell your jokes, I have some about blue dragons.”

“About how they’re so ruggedly handsome and suave?” Lunis questioned.

“I’m not sure I’d see the joke there,” Mahkah offered, adding to the conversation when he was normally a listener.

“There is a blonde, a redhead, and a brunette—”

Sophia coughed loudly, cutting off Lunis’ joke.

“Oh, fine.” He sighed. “There’s a brilliant yet misunderstood blonde, a fiery redhead, and a meek brunette. Happy, now? You’re ruining the joke.”

“Only making it fair.” Sophia smiled as she leaned forward, the chilly autumn air tangling her blonde hair and making her cheeks ruby red.

“Anyway, they’re trapped on an island, and the nearest shore is fifty miles away,” Lunis continued. “The weak redhead swims a few miles and drowns.”

“Seems about right,” Wilder scoffed.

Sophia giggled.

“The boring brunette drowns after ten miles,” Lunis stated. “But the blonde swims twenty-five miles, at which point, she’s exhausted so she turns and swims back.”

Wilder howled with laughter.

Mahkah smirked slightly.

Sophia said, “Ha-ha. Very funny.”

Lunis joined Wilder, laughing loudly, swallowing cold air. “Twenty-five miles! She could have kept going!”

“Did she make it back to the deserted island safely?” Wilder questioned.

“I think you’re missing the point of the joke.” Lunis shook his head.

The three dragons and their riders slipped through the Barrier and over the rolling hills of Scotland. They only had a brief moment to enjoy the way the terrain was absent of modern buildings and stretches of roads and industry before Sophia threw up a portal to Las Vegas in the distance.

They broke into formation, Sophia in the lead as they slipped through the portal and into a land much different from where they’d come from.

Las Vegas was the very opposite of Scotland with its concrete and skyscrapers and bright lights. Currently, it was much different than how Sophia had ever seen it with demon dragons and their riders on the ground, seeming to be attacking the locals and tourists.

CHAPTER FORTY-THREE

Sophia and the other Dragon Elite held their positions in the air, watching from high above instead of springing straight into action. It was difficult to determine what was going on below.

Sophia could see King Rudolf selling the visitor dragonriders as theatrical stunts. They sort of blended in with the huge Optimus Prime robot that the tourists were all lining up to get their photos with or the statue-like man on stilts who was doing a fantastic job of not laughing as a couple of guys mooned him.

However, she knew better than to think that the demon dragons and their riders on the ground were simply trying to entertain the public. There was something different in the way they interacted. There was an air of bullying about them, as though their show was for intimidation rather than amusement. It was because of that observation that Sophia knew that the demon dragonriders on the ground were the Rogue Riders.

She also recognized the redhead on the green dragon who she’d seen at the elfin island—the one Evan had run off a few times.

“Too bad Evan isn’t here,” Wilder said from beside Sophia as if he were in her thoughts. “I know he’s wanted to hand that guy’s butt to him ever since the last battle. His name is Nathaniel, and he’s the second in command.”

“To Versalee,” Mahkah added.

Wilder nodded. “His dragon is aligned with lightning.”

Sophia gulped. “Good to know. I wonder what Versalee’s dragon’s element is?”

Wilder shrugged. “I’m not sure, but it doesn’t look like she’s presently down there creating trouble.”

Only a few dragonriders were on the ground. By the way they flew, most were poorly trained. They rode their dragons like one pushes a lawnmower rather than how it should have been, like riding on a magic carpet—being one with it.

Rudolf would be relieved that the display was going on next to the Bellagio Hotel and Casino right next to the Cosmopolitan, where he held his court and had his primary residence at the top.

A couple of the dragonriders spiraled through the air, cutting through the water from the fountain display. Usually, that show at the Bellagio Hotel and Casino stole the attention of a few hundred tourists who paused to watch the spigots of water cascading in different directions in a beautiful dance of choreography.

However, the demon dragonriders were cutting through the water, throwing it onto the tourists, and interrupting the show with one of their own.

Another demon dragonrider approached Optimus Prime. The dragon’s wings were outstretched, and the rider held on as they neared the fake robot in an act of intimidation.

The other demon dragonriders, Nathaniel and his dragon included, sat in the middle of Las Vegas Boulevard as though they’d decided to set up camp there. Behind them, cars were at a standstill from the blocked road. Drivers were getting out of their vehicles to view the strange sight of the two large dragons casually mock-fighting in the street.

They were seated but now and then, threw their claws through the air. The one attacked would duck and spit fire in the other’s direction, usually missing them but creating damage to the road.

Wilder glanced at Sophia, where the three of the Dragon Elite hovered out of sight—cloaked. “What do you say, boss?”

Sophia thought for a moment. In combat and in the field, she had the leadership role, and she didn’t take that lightly. Swallowing, she made a decision, hoping it was the right one.

“Let’s try the civil approach.” Sophia pointed at the Strip where the two demon dragons and their riders were causing the biggest disturbance. “We’ll try talking to them and working things out rationally.”

“And when they react like the monsters they are?” Wilder asked with a sideways grin.

“Then we boot them out of this city and show them their acts of disturbance aren’t welcome here or anywhere else,” Sophia answered with confidence.

Wilder nodded in confirmation. “We’ll keep doing it as long as it takes.”

CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR

Sophia and Lunis dove toward Las Vegas Boulevard and removed the cloak from the three of them. She didn’t want to intimidate those on the ground into thinking they were getting ambushed by more rude and destructive dragonriders. However, she didn’t know how to communicate to the mortals that they were the peaceful solution-oriented society of dragonriders. She hoped that their demeanors did that for them since they were approaching with the intent of discussing things civilly and not fighting.

A blonde, a redhead, and a brunette dragon were lost in the desert, Lunis began in Sophia’s head.

She laughed, not having expected it to be joke time with everything they had going on. However, she really should’ve at this point.

It doesn’t help that you made them dragons, Sophia replied. I’m still offended that blondes are the butt of your jokes.

That’s a “you” problem, Lunis stated. Anyway, they find a lamp and a genie comes out and states he’ll grant each one a wish.

The ground was quickly approaching, and they’d gotten attention from those on the street, the Rogue Riders included.

The redhead wishes to go back home, Lunis continued. And just like that, the dragon is transported to the hovel where they live.

I like the details you add to these jokes, Sophia teased while steering Lunis to an open patch of road between the Rogue Riders and the cars, hoping to serve as a protective barrier. That was going to be tricky because there were so many people around that if a fight broke out, she worried that there would be a lot of collateral damage and innocent mortals harmed.

The brunette dragon wished to go home to be with her boring family, Lunis stated as though they were casually flying through the sky and not nearing what was increasingly looking like a very tense situation on the ground.

And the blonde dragon? Sophia had to ask, wanting the punch line before the drama started.

The blonde was suddenly lonely, Lunis answered. So she asked that her dragon friends join her.

Sophia groaned. That was bad, really bad.

So bad it was good, right?

Not really. Sophia landed her dragon exactly where she intended, putting a protective barrier between the line of cars at their back and the Rogue Riders. Wilder and Mahkah landed beside her, their faces full of confidence and protective edge.

It was time to talk, Sophia thought while facing off against Nathaniel on the ground, looking down at him from high atop her dragon.

CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE

The redhead rolled his eyes and looked at the other demon dragonrider a few yards away. “Oh, look. The Boring Elite are here to bore us all to death with their holy agendas.”

Sophia narrowed her gaze. “We’re here to find out why you’re causing problems in Las Vegas. I got a call from the king of the fae. He doesn’t like that you’re creating a disturbance in his city.”

Nathaniel laughed and threw his hand up in the direction of the Cosmopolitan where King Rudolf no doubt watched from the safety of his penthouse. “Well, tell the little fairy to come down here and tell me to my face!”

“I think it’s better if we deal with this between each other, dragonriders to dragonriders.” Sophia watched as the crowd around them pushed back, apparently sensing the tension building. She didn’t want to fight the Rogue Riders. Not here or anywhere, but they hadn’t left her many choices on the matter in the past.

“I don’t see what the problem is,” Nathaniel said casually as his green dragon rose on his back legs and hooked his claws around the traffic light, bending it down using brute force as it made an awful screeching noise. The dragon broke the piece off, stuck it in his mouth, and began chewing on the end as a dog does with a bone.

Sophia cringed and tried to corral her anger. They were goading her. She couldn’t afford to react too quickly. There were too many innocent fae, mortals, and magicians around. She hadn’t noticed the latter until they started to pour through the crowd, pushing to the front. Whereas the mortals and fae appeared interested in the scene on the Strip, the magicians seemed downright angry, as if this was a personal encounter and they were ready to spring into action.

She sensed Wilder tense beside her as well. Mahkah stayed watching, nothing changing about his posture.

“You have to realize that you can’t take up residence in the middle of the street here and destroy this city,” Sophia began, careful to keep her tone even. “The world is happy to welcome the Rogue Riders, the Dragon Elite will see to that, but you have to abide by the same laws as everyone else. No one is above them!”

That got a reaction from the crowd. If there had been any confusion on who was who, this ought to settle it. Those witnessing and recording the events unfolding on their mobile devices knew that Sophia and the two dragons and riders flanking her were trying to protect and uphold justice. In contrast, the two in front of them were about promoting chaos and their own agenda.

Although Sophia didn’t like that the education had to come out this way with so many dangerous aspects in proximity, she was grateful for the opportunity to inform the public. The videos would hopefully go viral and many across the world would know that there were the Rogue Riders and the Dragon Elite, and they weren’t the same. One could be trusted and the other…well, they were a loose wire, and no one knew what to expect from them.

Nathaniel grinned up at his dragon as sparks rained down from the traffic light it had just destroyed. “Aw, we’re only having some fun. What’s wrong with that? It is a free country, isn’t it?”

Sophia’s jaw tensed. He was trying to get under her skin. Trying to make her do something rash. She couldn’t allow the Rogue Riders to get the best of them. “It’s free for all, which means you can’t block the roads and disrupt traffic.” She pointed at the Bellagio fountains. “You can’t ruin a show that many enjoy.”

Nathaniel stuck his hands on his hips. “What can we do, Princess? You kicked us off the stupid elves’ island that they weren’t using.”

“They were living there,” Sophia argued through gritted teeth, watching as the dragon messing with the person in the Optimus Prime suit whipped his tail in the robot’s direction, coming dangerously close to knocking it over.

Nathaniel scoffed. “Whatever. We got off that stupid island as you wanted. Now we’re here, drifting and bringing the charm of our dragons for all to see, but you’re still not happy because the Dragon Elite have to control everything. Hanging out isn’t against the law.”

“What do you care about the law?” Sophia argued. “You steal what you want. Destroy without concern. You have no respect for what the rest of us value.”

With a cocky smile on his face, Nathaniel nodded. “Here I thought that you didn’t understand the Rogue Riders at all. What a relief. That’s right. We don’t operate above the law like you all. We don’t pretend to be the law. Instead, we govern all that are breaking the laws.” He looked out at the scene all around them. “What better place for such ventures than in the city of sin?”

“Do as you please in regard to governing criminals,” Sophia began carefully. “I’m not trying to stop you there. If you’re doing it right, I don’t have any problems with that. What we have a problem with is creating disturbances, endangering the public, and thinking that you own a city that belongs to the fae.”

There were cheers from the crowd all around them. Most of those expressing their support were magicians, who had come forward in large numbers and gave the Rogue Riders impatient glares.

Nathaniel narrowed his eyes at the crowd’s reaction. He threw his arms wide at those supporting the Dragon Elite. “You think you know who you’re messing with? We own the criminal world. Want to feel safe in your beds at night? Then you better bow at our feet, not those of the Dragon Elite who only make the criminals hide while still doing their deeds.”

“You’re thieves!” a magician yelled, his fist in the air.

“You ruined my house!” another exclaimed.

“You have to be stopped!” someone else screamed from the road.

Sophia felt the crowd growing more hostile. Suddenly, tensions were high, and everything escalated faster than she had expected. She needed to quell tempers.

Nathaniel turned, reached for the reins to his dragon, and yanked hard on them, making the dragon’s head jerk to the side as it tried to resist being mistreated. “Who of you will stop the Rogue Riders? Line up, and we’ll pick you off, one by one. Then you’ll see who deserves your allegiance and not the Dragon Elite.”

Sophia glanced at Wilder and Mahkah. They both followed her line of vision, first to the fountains, then to the area of the Strip where the other demon dragonrider had finally knocked down Optimus Prime. Angry magicians tired of the bullying now surrounded him. They weren’t wrong, but they needed to handle the Rogue Riders the right way. Sophia reminded herself that if they didn’t, they’d repeat history and there would be no more dragons or riders left.

CHAPTER FORTY-SIX

Sophia’s eyes connected with Wilder and to the two dragons making a mockery of the Bellagio fountains. He nodded curtly, obviously following her silent direction.

Her gaze went to Mahkah, then to the dragon bullying the character of Optimus Prime. He understood the subtle gesture.

The pair lifted off on their dragons without having to pull on the reins or make demands, gracefully flying in different directions.

Nathaniel’s eyes skirted up, following Wilder as he took off after the other demon dragonriders, then Mahkah barreling in the other direction. He swung his leg around, not at all gracefully climbing onto his dragon, who resisted the rider getting into place.

“You can’t let us have anything, can you?” he fired at Sophia. Spit flew from his mouth.

“I’m prepared to help you.” Sophia sensed magicians moving in closer, some of them brandishing staffs or other things that could be considered weapons. “If you’re not careful, you’ll make enemies that I can’t defend you from.”

“We don’t need your help!” Nathaniel exclaimed. The other rider next to him also crawled onto his dragon’s back.

Then many of the magicians around the street decided not to hold back and charged forward, their fists and weapons up, their mouths open and screams and complaints flying from them.

Sophia didn’t have to worry about herself because one thing was clear—they were going after the Rogue Riders. Still, the way that Nathaniel’s dragon bowed up and swung around, his tail knocking over a nearby car, Sophia knew that everyone was in danger if things got out of control.

Yes, the Rogue Riders needed to learn their boundaries. Yes, magicians had every right to be mad. However, the disagreement between the two couldn’t happen right then. Sophia’s chief job now was to stop a fight rather than start or finish one. If she did her job, hopefully no one would get hurt, and it would humble the Rogue Riders in the process.

One could hope, she thought as she sprang into action.

CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN

Ever since the Rogue Riders had captured and tortured Wilder, he’d longed to get his hands on them. He’d had to witness as they abused their dragons and each other, not at all working together as a team like he was used to with the Dragon Elite. The Rogue Riders were out for themselves and only formed a team for selfish self-preservation reasons.

Before, when Wilder worked with the Dragon Elite to get the Rogue Riders off the elves’ homeland, he’d been trying not to cause any unnecessary damage. That was the right thing to do, and Hiker had ordered it.

Wilder respected the Dragon Elite’s leader and would do whatever he ordered, as he respected Sophia as a leader and would dutifully go after these two clown Rogue Riders ruining the Bellagio fountains in Las Vegas. However, she hadn’t said anything about not harming these riders, and Wilder didn’t know how he could stop them without breaking a few bones. He wouldn’t kill them. He’d ensure they understood what was right and wrong and when they broke the rules, they got broken too—at least a little bit.

Speeding over the crowd on Simi, Wilder stayed hunched over. The tourists he flew over could have reached out a hand and nearly touched the white dragon’s belly they were so low.

Wilder smiled when the crowd oohed and ahhed at the sight of the Dragon Elite member flying close overhead toward the disobedient Rogue Riders in the fountain. They all seemed to know that he was there to defend them from getting splashed and their tourist experience ruined.

Wilder grinned over the side of Simi as mortals took pictures and videos of him flying past, hopefully creating social media that would speak of the Dragon Elite’s good name. They hadn’t planned this public relations campaign, but it probably couldn’t have worked out any better for them. Hiker had worked on some positive propaganda and promotions for the Dragon Elite to recover their reputation after everything the Rogue Riders had been doing. Still, this organic approach was leagues better, Wilder thought as he neared the other dragonriders.

They caught sight of him from the other side of the fountain, all of the spigots going straight up at that moment. If Evan were there, he could use Coral’s water magic to mess with these guys by turning the fountain into a gnarly weapon. Who knew where he was though? Probably sleeping in the basement, or flirting with Trin, or eating a bag of mega-stuffed Oreos in his bedroom.

The demon dragonriders cackled as Wilder neared, maybe recognizing him as the guy they captured and beat with his arms restrained because they were cowards. Or perhaps they thought because there were two of them and one of him that this fight would be decisive. One thing was clear—they knew a skirmish was coming. It had to be evident based on Wilder’s expression and how he’d poised for an assault.

The other dragons were smaller than Simi, not yet fully grown. One was gray like the color of stone and looked about as ugly as a rock wall battered by wind and dust. The other was brown, the color of dirt.

“Man, you guys have ugly dragons,” Wilder observed, sure that they could hear him even with the sounds of the fountains and music and crowd at his back. The chi of the dragon would make it so that they had enhanced hearing and other senses. One thing the chi of the dragon couldn’t do was make them skilled. That took practice, training, and expertise, and something told Wilder they didn’t have that.

The gray dragon heard the insult and jerked its tail so it hit the wall of water and sent it straight at Wilder like a blast of bullets. Easily, using only his intention, he pulled his dragon up a few feet to avoid getting hit by the spray.

Wilder studied the area around them. He needed to stop these guys. He wanted to teach them a lesson. He also knew he didn’t want any innocent people harmed. Now, damage to the area was less avoidable. He simply hoped that King Rudolf wouldn’t mind making the repairs, knowing it was for a worthy cause. Teaching demon dragonriders how to behave was a valuable lesson.

CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT

The strange sights around Las Vegas made Mahkah feel like he was on a different planet. A lot had changed in the last few hundred years that he’d been locked away at the Gullington. The world before that was a simpler place, and where Mahkah grew up was basic and natural.

There was no concrete or buildings or dazzling lights in the world that Mahkah came from. However, he’d spent enough time in the modern world recently so that the sights around him weren’t totally foreign although they still took some getting used to. Mahkah’s best approach to keep himself from getting disoriented by all the strange newness was to expect to see things he didn’t understand and come at it from a place of acceptance.

That’s how he viewed the strange large robotic creature that currently lay on the ground and suffered from the abuse of the demon dragonrider who bullied it. Mahkah didn’t know if the robot was a strange magitech, a real robot or a fake one, or a person in a suit. It didn’t matter. No matter what it was, it was evident that it was in distress and needed help.

No one deserved bullying—no matter what. Some needed to be stopped. Some needed to learn a lesson. Others needed punishment. Still, even bullies shouldn’t be bullied. That was an eye for an eye, and that didn’t work for Mahkah. He had to be better than his enemies.

The demon dragonrider harassing the strange robot caught sight of Mahkah as he flew in their direction on Tala. The new dragon was one that Mahkah recognized from when it hatched at the Gullington months ago. It was a shimmering silver and quite attractive, but not full-grown and hadn’t come into all of its powers yet, Mahkah observed. If it had, then it wouldn’t need to run to take off for flight, but when it circled the robot as Mahkah and his dragon neared, it did just that, nearly knocking over a group of tourists standing too close and taking pictures like this was all a show put on for their amusement.

The demon dragon and rider circled low, struggling to maintain a slow speed as they flew. It was true that it was easier to fly fast than slow and in a small, deliberate movement. That was the case for most things, Mahkah had often noted. It was easier to sprint than to stroll. It was easier to charge than it was to retreat. It was easier to soar than it was to hover. Still, it was the latter in all these instances when real changes could occur.

Peaceful negotiations didn’t usually happen from fighting. They resulted when people listened, one of the hardest of all skills.

Slowing Tala, Mahkah nearly came to a halt in the air directly across from the demon dragonrider. His dragon hardly had to move her wings to keep them aloft. Mahkah simply looked across the space at the other rider, hoping that it wouldn’t come to violence. The Rogue Rider would know that Mahkah was there to stop his bullying. He would understand that Mahkah was the more skilled rider and if provoked, the demon dragonrider would suffer from his attacks. The question was, would the Rogue Rider have the good sense to retreat or make amends for his misdeeds?

The silver dragon opened his mouth and shot a stream of fire straight at Tala.

It appeared a peaceful end to this situation wasn’t in store.

CHAPTER FORTY-NINE

Everything happened so fast.

The magicians charged forward at once. The demon dragons struck defensive stances, rose on their hind legs, and spread their wings, taking up way more space on the road. The Rogue Riders pulled out their weapons and brandished them at the aggressive magicians.

Sophia and Lunis sprang into action, not needing to communicate to know what they were doing next. The blue dragon swung around and put himself between the Rogue Riders and the approaching magicians. Sophia held up her hands, encouraging her fellow magicians to halt.

“Get out of the way, Dragon Elite,” a magician with a long white beard and a lazy eye said, holding a sword in his hands. “Our beef isn’t with you. We heard you trying to talk sense into the maniacs!”

“Yeah, get out the way so I can rearrange these guys’ faces!” Nathaniel yelled, but he hadn’t come forward. Instead, he was enjoying the safety behind Lunis like the coward that he was. The blue dragon was almost as long as the street and created a sufficient barrier between the magicians and the Rogue Riders.

“You all have to listen to reason,” Sophia urged in a rush, watching as a magician in the crowd held up his hand.

“This has gone too far!” the man yelled.

“No!” Sophia yelled, but it was too late to stop him from releasing the spell.

A red light shot through the air like a laser beam. Lunis ducked, but the attack wasn’t on him. It hit the dragon belonging to the other rider in the side and knocked him down at once. His legs shot out straight as if paralyzed and he teetered back and forth on his side like a board wobbling.

“No!” the Rogue Rider yelled and charged forward, trying to make it around Lunis and to the magician who had sent the attack.

Everything was escalating too fast. No one would listen to reason when violence was an option. That left Sophia with no choice but to use her reserves to create a visible shield in the shape of a dome that covered the Rogue Riders and stopped the charging demon dragonrider from leaving the protected area while also deflecting the magicians’ attacks.

That didn’t stop them right away, and a few magicians joined the first, sending their stunning spells at the barrier, but it worked as Sophia designed and the attacks bounced off.

The Rogue Riders were caged. They were also protected. The magicians were at a standstill.

Now, hopefully both sides will listen to reason, Sophia thought and sighed in relief.

CHAPTER FIFTY

Gray and Brown, as Wilder had taken to calling the dragons ridden by the Rogue Riders challenging him, zipped back and forth on the other side of the wall of water like it was an impenetrable barrier. Wilder thought he knew what was going on. These guys were making a show of intimidating, but neither wanted to make the next move, knowing that they would be the one Wilder attacked first.

Doesn’t matter, Wilder thought to himself. You’re both going down anyway.

He heard the song playing on the speakers near its end, which meant the water display would too. That would be Wilder’s opportunity—when the Rogue Riders were disoriented and without the water barrier between them and the Dragon Elite member.

Right on cue, the wall of water fell at the song’s conclusion, making Brown and Gray completely visible.

Wilder shot after them on Simi. As he suspected, the rider farther away retreated, probably not wanting to get the punishment he knew he deserved. That left his mate vulnerable, and they both knew it.

“Where you going?” the guy on Gray yelled.

“I’m out of here!” the man on Brown replied.

“He thinks he is,” Wilder sang and shot his hand in the direction of Brown, who was quickly retreating.

Combined with the speed of the fleeing dragon and rider and the shot of wind that Wilder sent at them, the momentum carried them fast across the waters where they collided with the corner of the Bellagio Hotel and Casino. There was no one in that vicinity since it was on the far side of the water. Those inside the building felt the impact when Brown slammed into it and cracked the wall before falling and landing on the pavement below.

Rider and dragon fell in a heap but were on their feet immediately, startled and disoriented from the assault. They didn’t waste any time, and the rider was soon back on the brown dragon, this time running for safety around the side of the building.

Wilder caught all this as he closed in on Gray, who was distracted by watching his mate being thrown against the side of the building by a gust of wind. That’s why he didn’t know when Simi was right on top of him.

She slowed in front of the gray dragon, lifted her front feet, and grabbed the dragon around the neck. Using incredible strength, she lifted the dragon and slammed it down toward the fountain. The pair fell like a stone and created a huge splash when they plummeted into the water.

The tourists all covered their faces from the wave that splattered out of the fountain. There was a great flapping of wings below as the gray dragon pulled itself up out of the water, its rider barely hanging on as it took flight, staying low and landing when it made it to the pavement where, like the other Rogue Rider, it chose to run rather than fly—and fled the scene at once.

CHAPTER FIFTY-ONE

Tala opened her mouth and as quick as lightning shot out a stream of fire that was faster, hotter, larger, and more forceful than what the silver dragon had sent in their direction.

The two assaults met and like two stones, stopped each other in midair. The fire rained down on the ground below and made the crowd disperse.

A few people helped the robot to its feet, and they hurried off. Mahkah hoped they’d stay out of the way. The last thing he needed was to have to worry about defending mortals when stopping this Rogue Rider. He suspected the silver dragon and rider would use the mortals to their advantage, making them barriers and hostages of sorts.

“We don’t have to fight,” Mahkah said over the space, Tala hardly beating her wings to keep them aloft.

Conversely, the silver dragon struggled to stay in place. That was so much more difficult than flying. That’s probably why the silver dragon lowered to the now-clear ground and looked up at Mahkah with menace in his eyes. The demon dragon would know that fighting the Dragon Elite member was futile. They wouldn’t want to admit it, but dragons were logical, and if they went into a real fight, it would be decisive and over quickly.

The Rogue Rider held up his fist. He obviously didn’t have the same sense as his dragon and probably wasn’t listening to it. “You don’t want to fight because you’re scared. The Dragon Elite don’t know how to fight because all they do is sit on their hands and avoid conflict. Come down here and get what you deserve!”

Mahkah sighed, wishing it hadn’t come to this. At least the silver dragon had made it easy for him, putting itself and its rider straight down on the element that Mahkah controlled—the earth.

He held his arm out straight, his fist closed.

The Rogue Rider frowned up at him, confusion evident on his face.

Mahkah twisted his fist upward in a swift movement, and a second later, the ground buckled under the silver dragon and rider. The concrete fractured severely in multiple places. The cracks spraying out resembled a spider’s web.

The rider stumbled and fell on his backside. The dragon flapped its wings to avoid falling into the chasm opening up in the ground. Its wings hit the rider in the head and knocked him back several yards.

The silver dragon recovered once in the air and hovering above the mini earthquake. Realizing that he’d knocked out his rider, the silver dragon swooped down and picked up the guy by the shoulders and one leg a little clumsily. They slumped, and for a moment it appeared that they’d both crash back down onto the pavement. However, the silver dragon beat its wings extra hard a few times, and they lifted into the air, gaining height as they retreated the opposite way, leaving Mahkah and Tala staring after them.

CHAPTER FIFTY-TWO

“Stop!” Sophia yelled, making the ground under the Rogue Riders and magicians shake, or so she imagined the earthquake created by her voice.

Everyone started, suddenly fearful of the dragonrider whose voice could make the ground vibrate.

They all tensed and gave Sophia their attention.

“The magicians have every right to be angry with you Rogue Riders,” Sophia began, all eyes on her. “You show no respect to the race you come from or the community that serves us. You take and take and pillage and destroy. It has to stop. Otherwise, you’ll find yourself with a war on your hands. That’s the last thing the Dragon Elite wants. If we battle, there will be casualties. There could be no end in sight, and the result will repeat history where we destroyed each other until there was nothing left.”

“Destroy the Rogue Riders!” a magician in the crowd yelled. “They deserve the Dragon Elite’s wrath.”

Sophia turned her attention to the crowd of her fellow magicians and fae and mortals. “Our wrath will come at a price. Dragons aren’t meant to fight each other. Riders should be able to coexist. The magical races must stop fighting us as well. We’re here to create peace, but as long as we meet with resistance, there will only be more battles.”

Sophia sat tall on her dragon, looking out at the crowd before glancing over her shoulder at the Rogue Riders trapped in the protective dome. “Hear this final warning. Respect each other. Respect the Dragon Elite. We are your friends. However, if you or anyone challenges us, there will be hell to pay. We are the supreme governing body on this planet, and we make this declaration. If the Rogue Riders don’t find a place that stops causing problems for the world, they will pay. That is our job to do and not magicians'.”

She glanced out at the crowd. “Is that clear?”

There was a collective murmur of yeses from the group along with reluctant nods, but no one fought her authority. She looked directly at Nathaniel and the other Rogue Rider.

“Get out of here and don’t cause problems in this city or any other, or you will have hell to pay. I promise that.”

At the conclusion, Sophia dropped the protective shield.

Nathaniel narrowed his eyes at her. He didn’t move, and for a moment she was sure he’d try and fight her. The other dragonrider broke the stare-off by running and jumping on his dragon's back and taking off, flying to the east.

Nathaniel’s fingers flexed by his side.

Sophia tilted her head and gave him a challenging look that said, “Don’t do something you’ll regret.”

He seemed to understand the meaning in her expression, or he knew that today wasn’t his to challenge her. For whatever reason, he unhurriedly strode over to his green dragon and swung his leg over its back. The pair took off, flying overhead in a circle before speeding away, Nathaniel looking over his shoulder at Sophia the entire time—menace strong in his eyes as he fled.

CHAPTER FIFTY-THREE

“Why did the blonde put lipstick on her forehead?” Lunis asked Cooper, one of the new dragonriders.

He and his rider exchanged confused expressions as though looking at each other for the right answer. Tension marked the spot between Cooper’s eyes when he shrugged, seemingly afraid he’d be in trouble for not getting the correct answer.

“She was trying to make up her mind,” Lunis said and howled with laughter.

Sophia shook her head at her dragon and offered the new rider and dragon a look of apology. “You’ll get used to his humor…or, well, you’ll come to tolerate it.”

“Or if you’re Bell, Hiker’s dragon, then you’ll get a sour expression on your face anytime anything amusing is said,” Lunis offered and grinned at the red dragon not too far away on the Expanse.

Bell swooshed her tail and tossed her head in the air with a look of superiority.

“You made my point,” Lunis called to the older dragon.

All the riders were on the Expanse, training per Hiker’s orders. Well, all but Evan. He was still strangely missing, although Trin and Ainsley said that he was somewhere in the Castle, according to the messages they’d “felt” from the sentient building. As usual, Quiet didn’t offer any information on the subject.

Hiker had been satisfied with how the three Dragon Elite had handled the situation in Las Vegas, minimizing damages and keeping the public safe. Things were still tense with the magician community, but thankfully, they knew that the Dragon Elite weren’t to blame for all the bullying and theft done by riders. The situation had worked to fix the Dragon Elite’s reputation, and for that, Hiker was even more relieved.

“We need to find you all weapons that suit your skills and strengths,” Wilder said to the three new dragonriders, who all stood stoically at attention, hardly blinking as they faced the weapons expert.

“Then why do you carry a sword?” Lunis asked Wilder, his expression quite serious. “Why not carry a scythe like the Grim Reaper?”

Wilder lowered his chin, a slight grin on his face as he waited for the punch line.

“Well, you know,” Lunis continued, “because your skill is killing all the fun in life.”

The newbie dragonriders all appeared to be covering their laughter, afraid that it would offend Wilder. However, he was the first one to chuckle at the joke and the loudest.

“At least he’s moved off blonde jokes,” Sophia offered to her boyfriend.

“For Scottish Thanksgiving, I’m only telling Mitch Hedberg lines,” Lunis stated proudly.

Sophia twisted her mouth to the side, an apology on her face. “I don’t think the dragons are invited to the Thanksgiving celebration.”

Lunis sat back on his hind legs and folded his front across his chest, looking like an annoyed teenager. “Why not? I’m American and demand to be part of the festivities.”

“You’re a dragon,” Sophia argued. “I don’t think you have a nationality.”

“That’s highly offensive.” Lunis stuck his snout in the air and pretended to be insulted. “How dare you take away who I am?”

Sophia ignored him but giggled still. “The Scottish Thanksgiving is in the Castle where dragons aren’t allowed, so you’ll have to do your own thing. Why don’t you host something for the dragons in the Pad?”

“Because I like my space and don’t want it to smell like old cheese,” Lunis stated and looked at Simi. “Hint, hint. A bath wouldn’t kill you—or maybe it would.”

The white dragon rolled her eyes and returned to snoozing with the other elder dragons who were lying on the grass nearby, soaking up the autumn sun.

Wilder laughed and returned his attention to the three new riders. “We can have you all explore weapons in the Castle. We have a large inventory, and there should be a suitable option for you.”

Cooper pointed at the elfin-made sword on Sophia’s hip. “Is that where you got that weapon?”

Wilder shook his head and answered before Sophia could. “Oh, no. The mysterious Sophia showed up with that and few details about where she got it from.”

Sophia pulled Inexorabilis from its sheath and brandished it proudly, admiring the curved blade and craftsmanship. “My sister recovered it for me. It belonged to my mother, who was a Warrior for the House of Fourteen. The famous elfin sword-maker Hawaiki created it.”

“Mysterious and boring with hardly any interesting family history,” Wilder teased.

Sophia shot him a mock look of offense. “You’re one to talk. You’re so boring with that rare skill of being able to access all the memories of a weapon.”

Lunis yawned loudly. “He’s dull. Not a single redeeming quality that I can find and I’ve really, really tried to find a single one.”

Wilder nodded in agreement. “I’m the total worst. The only one who beats me on that is Evan, wherever he is.”

“I’m sure he’ll show up right before Scottish Thanksgiving when he smells the turkey and gravy,” Sophia offered.

“Probably,” Wilder answered while striding for the Castle. “Well, how about we go explore the weapons before dinner?”

Mahkah, Sophia, and the three new dragonriders followed him, heading for the Castle.

“Don’t worry about me,” Lunis called. “I’ll be here listening to Tala snore.”

“We’re not worried,” Wilder sang over his shoulder.

“If anyone wants to bring me some mashed potatoes, I won’t stop them,” Lunis said in a rush.

“We’ll see,” Sophia called over her shoulder and winked at her dragon.

“With extra gravy,” Lunis added. “Like, I want those potatoes swimming.”

CHAPTER FIFTY-FOUR

Evan was breathless, sweat running down his brow, his hands gripping the corner of the hallway in what he guessed was a distant corner of the dungeon far under the Castle.

The weeping angels had “transported” him over two dozen times to various places in the building. None of the locations were remotely close to others, his room, the kitchen, or the exit.

Evan was starting to think that he’d be “lost” in the Castle for the rest of his life. Or until he starved, which felt like it wouldn’t be that long.

He pressed his head into the corner of the cold stone wall and muttered to himself, “Please don’t be there. Please. Please. Please.”

Drawing in a breath, Evan straightened, knowing that he couldn’t put this off anymore. He thought that he’d figured out the trick to getting past the stone angels, but it wasn’t easy. The last time he’d tried it, they’d blotted out the torches, cast him in darkness, and ruined his chances. Then they’d transported him to another part of the dungeon. The torches lining the wall were still lit, but that might not last. He only had to make it to a part of the Castle with windows, then that little trick of the mean angels wouldn’t work anymore.

He prepared himself and released the breath he’d been holding. He then stepped around the corner and faced the long dark hallway lined with torches.

Stiffening, he found exactly what he’d expected—at the far end of the narrow corridor was another stone angel with their face covered with their hands.

Wide-eyed, Evan stepped forward and approached the angel that divided him from the dungeon's exit on the other side.

“Don’t blink,” he told himself, thinking that was the answer to the riddle of the stone angels. When he took his eyes off them, they moved. If they got close to him, they transported him.

“Don’t blink,” he repeated and took another step.

The torch closest to him snuffed out.

“Oh, damn it,” he seethed. If there was no light, then the point went to the angels, and they transported Evan yet again.

His stomach rumbled. He could swear he smelled fresh bread and other savory aromas wafting down from the Castle’s kitchen.

I must be losing my mind. Another torch extinguished ahead. “Oh, hell no.”

Evan didn’t have much magical reserve left after playing this game with the Castle for what felt like days. However, he would drain the very last of his magic to get to the feast happening upstairs.

Holding out his palm, Evan created a light orb. It bobbed above his palm, glowing brightly.

All of the torches in the hallway extinguished at once, but the light orb did its job. Evan could still see the stone statue not too far ahead.

He kept his eyes wide, feeling them start to burn from not blinking. As quickly as he dared, Evan strode forward while keeping his gaze on the weeping angel.

When he was to it, he stepped around it, walking backward to ensure he kept his eyes on the angel. He was almost there…

Evan’s heel found a step, and he nearly fell back on the stairs behind him. Then the light orb would have gone out, and he would have found himself transported once more.

Carefully, Evan climbed the stairs backward, keeping his burning eyes focused on the back of the stone angel. Light began to stream in from the space up ahead. He was almost to the first floor and the entrance to the dungeon off the Castle’s entryway.

He’d almost defeated the weeping angel. He only needed not to blink for a little longer—a few more steps. Freedom was right ahead. Evan could taste it.

CHAPTER FIFTY-FIVE

“I haven’t slept for ten days,” Lunis said casually.

“Oh, really?” Mahkah fell for the joke.

“Yeah, that would be too long,” Lunis replied and howled with laughter. The others at the dining room table joined him, the new dragonriders giggling conservatively. It had been weird for them at first when Lunis poked his head through the Castle’s open window to join them for Scottish Thanksgiving. Then the Castle created a bank of larger windows, and many of the other dragons joined, their long necks poking through as they regarded the spread of food on the dining table.

However, the blue dragon was the only one eating a large vat of potatoes drowning in gravy.

“That was another Mitch Hedberg line,” Sophia confessed to the table while taking the green beans Wilder handed to her.

Lunis sighed. “You don’t have to inform everyone every time I quote the great Mitch Hedberg.”

She spooned a pile of green beans on her plate, next to the “chips” that Trin had insisted on serving with the Thanksgiving meal, although it wasn’t traditional. She said it was because French fries were Evan’s favorite, a bit of longing in her tone. The housekeeper still got the impression from the Castle that Evan was somewhere inside the building, but no one had seen him and it was starting to become worrisome.

“Everything is delicious, Trin.” Ainsley smiled across the table at the housekeeper, who had finally taken a seat after serving the turkey—well, what was supposed to be the turkey. That was the one thing the Castle hadn’t supplied. Instead, it had offered a huge haggis. The new dragonriders were eyeing the gray sheep’s stomach stuffed with various other organs and grains with trepidation.

Wilder leaned over and whispered to Cooper, “It tastes as bad as it looks.”

“It does not,” Mama Jamba scolded and pursed her lips at the dragonrider.

Wilder indicated her short stack of pumpkin pancakes with his fork. “Then why aren’t you eating any of it?”

“I don’t eat any of my creatures,” Mama Jamba stated smugly, then cut into a pancake and took a bite. “Especially sheep because they’re so cute.”

“You know, if you can’t sleep, count sheep,” Lunis began, quoting another Mitch Hedberg line. “Don’t count endangered animals. You’ll run out.”

Most at the table laughed.

Mama Jamba nodded, like this was a perfectly good idea and not a joke. “Sheep are good for many things. Dumb as rocks, but cute. I did pretty good with those creations.”

“Dumb as Wilder,” Lunis corrected. “That’s how the expression goes. I’m pretty sure.”

The other dragons with their heads inside the dining hall regarded Lunis with keen interest. Sophia was pretty sure the new dragons didn’t know how to respond to his flippant and playful style while also being under the elder dragons' influence. It would take time before their real personalities came out and the dragons acted naturally. The same was true for the new riders as well.

“Well, thanks for making this happen, Trin.” Hiker took a roll from the basket and buttered it.

“It was all Sophia’s idea,” the cyborg stated.

“You did all the work,” Sophia replied. “Hopefully, we can do something festive for Christmas too. I think it’s good to take breaks and celebrate with each other.”

Ainsley nodded. “I agree. Now we have new faces, and the table is filling up, which is nice.”

Hiker glanced down the table where the three new riders sat on the other side of Mahkah. Quiet was across from them and the chair beside him where Evan usually sat, empty. “Yes, I envision that this table will be full not too long from now.”

“Oh, can we hang stockings from the mantle?” Lunis asked, having finished his vat of potatoes. “I want one with my name on it.”

“What do you want for Christmas?” Wilder asked the blue dragon, looking over his shoulder at him.

“Peace and cheer,” Lunis answered at once and quickly added, “So, for you to off yourself.”

Wilder laughed. “I should have seen that coming.”

“You really should have,” Sophia replied.

“What is the ultimate stocking stuffer?” Lunis asked quite seriously.

“What?” Mahkah took the bait.

“A severed foot,” Lunis answered, and the whole table laughed at another of his Mitch Hedberg lines.

The laughter seemed to be infectious, or maybe it was the flowing wine, but it went on as though it would never stop.

Running feet made everyone pause and tense, although most still wore gleeful expressions.

A moment later, Evan sped into the dining hall, looking awful. His brow dripped sweat, and it drenched his shirt. His face was long and his eyes wide as he whipped his head over his shoulder as if something followed him. His chest dramatically heaved as he bent over to collect himself.

Trin jumped up from her seat. “Evan! Where have you been? No one has seen you for ages.”

“Hey mate,” Wilder chirped. “I didn’t realize you’d been gone.”

Evan rose and narrowed his eyes at Quiet, who hadn’t turned to look at the commotion and was simply digging into the haggis. Evan pointed with an accusatory expression on his face. “You!” he seethed. “It was you behind that trick with the angels.”

“Angels?” Hiker questioned. “What about angels?”

“Stone statues of angels that if I looked away from them transported me to distant places in the Castle,” Evan replied. “I’ve been lost all this time.”

Wilder shook his head. “After a hundred years, you’d think you’d know your way around this place better.”

“Are you all right?” Trin looked Evan up and down.

He nodded and eyed the spread on the table. “I’m starving.”

“I was about to eat the last of the chips.” Wilder picked up the platter. “Since I guess no one else wants them.”

Evan grabbed them and delivered a challenging look as he sat in his usual place. “Not a chance, mate. Those are all mine. Everything here is mine. I’ll even eat the haggis at this point.”

Trin also returned to her seat and gave Quiet a speculative look. “Did you really play that game on Evan?”

The gnome mumbled something and stuffed a bite in his mouth.

Mama Jamba nodded. “We all have to be humbled sometimes, especially the mouthier we are.”

Evan rolled his eyes. “There’s no winning with that short guy. He’s going to torture me no matter what I do.”

“Maybe don’t give him so many reasons to punish you,” Sophia offered.

“That could be impossible,” Wilder stated.

Hiker shook his head. “Well, I’m glad you’re back. I was starting to wonder.”

“I’m grateful that you were worried about me, sir.” Evan crammed a handful of french fries into his mouth.

“I didn’t say worried,” Hiker corrected. “It’s good to have everyone at the table for this celebration though.”

“Including me,” Lunis added.

“Everyone,” Hiker repeated and held up his goblet of wine. “I think this calls for a toast. We’ve had a small victory, and I’d like to acknowledge that.”

“We have?” Evan asked, confused.

“We did.” Wilder indicated himself, Sophia, and Mahkah. “You were fooled by stone statues.”

“They moved, man,” Evan said in a convincing voice. “Like, came after me.”

“You also suffered from hallucinations,” Wilder added.

Hiker cleared his throat, still holding his goblet high in the air. “Anyway, as I was saying, we have much to be grateful for. We’ve pushed the Rogue Riders back yet again. We’ve earned back our reputations as defenders of good. We’ve welcomed new members to our ranks. Cheers.”

There was a collective chorus of cheers around the table as they all clinked glasses. Sophia smiled, thinking that things were coming together for the Dragon Elite. Hiker was right. One day, the table would fill with riders. One day, the world would fully rely on them as the supreme source of adjudication.

First, well, they needed to refill their reserves and take this opportunity to enjoy each other. There would be time to save the world tomorrow, and the next day, and the next.

Today, it was time for them to preserve their spirit, and there was no better way to do that than to be with the ones they loved.

THE STORY CONTINUES

The story continues with book 22, Resolve of Evil.

SARAH’S AUTHOR NOTES

Thank you to you, the reader, for taking the time to read this book. Your support means so much to everyone at LMBPN. We hope you continue to enjoy, allowing us to craft more stories that hopefully enrich and entertain you and your life. That’s always my main goals as the author.

Future Sarah is with you today, writing author notes in March 2022 for a book I wrote in September or October of 2020. Who knows when it was… Past Sarah knows, I guess…

These books, as you probably know by now, were written in two installments and published as one and then split out. That’s why you get author notes from the future. Not because I have a time machine…yet.

Actually, of all days to write these notes, I feel most like I’ve time traveled today. Into the future. Today is March 13th, Daylight Savings Time in the United States. I woke up at four o’clock in the morning and my brain said, “Hey, it’s time to get up.” The cats said, “Hey, it’s time to get up.” My body said, “Wait a freaking minute…I don’t live on a dairy farm. There are no cows to milk.”

Alas, here I am before dawn, writing these notes because my brain and the cats always get their way. So yeah, Daylight Savings Time…Here I am having lost an hour, but I’ll make up for it by getting up early. Haha universe!

I need to be making the most of my time anyway. As is the story of my life, I’ve got another gnarly deadline. This one is for the Agent Beaufont book 3. If you enjoy this series, then you’ll hopefully like that one. It’s after, after this one. In two series.

I’ve got less than a week to write roughly fifty thousand words. That’s a lot. I’ve done it before. I will do it again.

And really, it’s not writing the words. It’s doing that when I’ve got “other” things to do. Adult stuff. Can someone make my accountant stop talking to me? And I swear, how is it that I have to go grocery shopping yet again? My mini me eats every single day…multiple times. And then there’s school drop off and voice lessons and piano lessons and this whole operation where I have to “manage” a child.

The other day, feeling the crunch of a deadline, I’m headed upstairs with my third cup of coffee and said to Lydia, my daughter, “Hey, I’m going to try and make the most of the next thirty minutes I have to write before our next activity. Try and help me out with my schedule by not making any extra work for me.”

The universe really is a bored entity, I believe, that must derive entertainment by doing funny things to me. So my ten-year old nodded and said, “Yes, Mommy.” And then she dropped a glass bottle of sticky pink juice on the white marble floors. In an instant, it shattered, sending glass and liquid everywhere, but mostly under the five-hundred-pound sofa.

As I’m prone to do when disaster befalls me on the heels of a statement like, “Don’t make more work for me,” I simply stood there, blinking around at the destruction that had just occurred and was inevitably work I needed to deal with right then.

After looking up at the heavens and saying, “Very funny, universe,” I sprang into action, moving the sofa, sending Lydia to get towels. Then saying, “No, not the good towels.” And then I cleaned up the glass and the sticky liquid and yelled at the cats to stay out of the mess. Twenty minutes later and it was all cleaned up and as a bonus, I’d been meaning to clean under the couch for ages. That gave me ten minutes to write before I had to run errands and “adult.”

So yeah, that’s why I’m always in a crunch. The universe thinks this shit is funny. And that’s fine. I’m a good sport and able to laugh at myself and see the silver lining.

Here we are on March 13th, and I’ve lost that extra hour. But I’m not bowing to defeat. Oh no, universe. Take an hour and I’ll just wake up before the cows have come home. I'm not milking those suckers though.

Actually, I’m going to go write before I’m off to a softball game and then back to the grocery store…yet again. Seriously, do kids really have to eat multiple times a day? I sustain myself on coffee and pistachio nuts. I guess I can’t put the ten-year old on the same diet as me.

Okay, the sun is finally waking its lazy butt up so I’ll get to writing before the child awakes and makes messes.

Mike, you’re a guy with connections, right? Can you talk to someone about this Daylight Savings Time business? Or if you can’t make those kind of changes, the least you can do is really start looking into a time machine for me. You’re a smart guy and know about science and stuff. I’ve got a cardboard Tardis we made out of a refrigerator box. You can start with that… You’re welcome 😉

Much love and Peace,

Tiny Ninja

Written March 13, 2022

MICHAEL’S AUTHOR NOTES

Thank you for not only reading this book but these author notes as well!

OK, Sarah’s wish is my command…just this once.

You are welcome to Google-fu the @#T@# out of this, but I’ll save you the trouble and give you a link in a second.

Sarah asked me to deal with Daylight Savings? Here you go. The amount of pull I have with the Universe is incalculable. No, really! Stop laughing because I made this shit HAPPEN, bitches!

U.S. Senate approves bill to make daylight saving time permanent

By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON, March 15, 2022 (Reuters) - The U.S. Senate on Tuesday passed legislation that would make daylight saving time permanent starting in 2023, ending the twice-annual changing of clocks in a move promoted by supporters advocating brighter afternoons and more economic activity.

The Senate approved the measure, called the Sunshine Protection Act, unanimously by voice vote. The House of Representatives, which has held a committee hearing on the matter, must still pass the bill before it can go to President Joe Biden to sign.

See the rest here: https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-senate-approves-bill-that-would-make-daylight-savings-time-permanent-2023-2022-03-15/

So what do you think of that, future Sarah? Huh? Did I deal with this shit or not? Sarah does not have a large enough pin to pop my brain down to size…or is it my ego?

Yeah, probably my ego.

So, as Sarah pulls more shenanigans (like blaming her daughter and the Universe for a tight week vs. just writing a few weeks earlier instead of waiting until the last moment), I’m going to call this a win.

While I work on my next story idea, I hope you have a fantastic week or weekend. Talk to you in the next book!

Ad Aeternitatem,

Michael Anderle

Written 03/17/11

BOOKS BY MICHAEL ANDERLE

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