The Stubborn Advocate (Unstoppable Liv Beaufont Book 6)
The Stubborn Advocate
Unstoppable Liv Beaufont™ Book 6
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 © 2019 Sarah Noffke & Michael Anderle
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
First US Edition, May 2019
eBook ISBN: 978-1-64202-272-8
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
Sarah’s Author Notes
Michael’s Author Notes
Acknowledgments
Books By Sarah Noffke
YA Dystopian Fantasy
Books By Michael Anderle
Connect with The Authors
The Stubborn Advocate Team
Thanks to the JIT Readers
Daniel Weigert
Kelly O’Donnell
Peter Manis
Larry Omans
Angel LaVey
Jeff Goode
Jeff Eaton
Misty Roa
Crystal Wren
If I’ve missed anyone, please let me know!
Editor
The Skyhunter Editing Team
For Trudy.
The first day we met, you called me a tiger.
Still my favorite college class ever. And the one that flamed my fire for writing.
— Sarah
To Family, Friends and
Those Who Love
to Read.
May We All Enjoy Grace
to Live the Life We Are
Called.
— Michael
Chapter One
The smell of rust and soot were strong in the air when Adler Sinclair stepped through into the Black Void. It was a result of the magic used to keep the One alive, an ancient spell that had only worked because of the sacrifices the God Magician had made all those centuries ago.
No matter how many times Adler visited the One since he’d awoken, he didn’t get used to the smell or the appearance of the oldest magician to ever live. That was why each time he brought with him his most trusted companion, Indikos. The miniature dragon flew beside Adler as he approached the God Magician, keeping an even pace.
“Father,” Adler began, kneeling, “how do you feel?”
When Talon Sinclair glanced up, his eyes nearly blinded Adler. From the hollow sockets shone a brilliant stream of light. As he got stronger, so did the light, so much so that it scorched Adler’s skin as it grazed it.
Since the last time Adler had seen his great-great-great-grandfather, his skin had been paper-thin and smoothly translucent. Now the area around his cheekbones and collarbone had filled out some, making him appear less frail.
Indikos flew down to the ground to inspect the bones, which were the remnants of the meals that were bringing the God Magician back to life.
“Adler, we have a problem,” Talon said, his voice echoing too loudly around the dark space, vibrating the floor and walls.
Others in the House of Seven were going to suspect something. That was what had happened the last time that Talon had been awoken. It was impossible to contain the power that radiated from him and hiding it was a chore. Adler had thought that this time he’d be able to do a better job of it, but the God Magician was growing stronger faster than he’d been prepared to deal with.
“My Lord,” Adler said, rising to his feet. “What is it?”
“The girl. I believe she knows something.”
Adler shook his head. “No, that’s impossible. She can’t. I’ve been keeping an eye on her, and when I’ve spot-checked, she is busy working on cases and whatever else she does at that electronic repair store.”
“She must have you blocked with a spell,” Talon stated. “I sense that she is uncovering clues about the Mortal Seven.”
Adler choked on a tight laugh. “That’s impossible, Father. Maybe it is only because her parents and siblings found information that you worry. I’ve since covered my trail. There is no way she could know anything.”
The God Magician’s long-fingernailed hands tightened on the throne where he’d sat for centuries in complete darkness. “Did you ever find the giants’ sword?”
Adler shook his head. “I’m certain the original one disappeared long ago. It must have been the fake in the Natural History Museum all along. I’m guessing that—”
“Guessing is how you’ve messed things up in the past!” The reverberation of the God Magician’s voice nearly knocked Adler off his feet. He spun around, eyeing the opening to the House of Seven, worried that someone had heard the loud noise. No one should be able to see the Black Void, but if they heard something, they might investigate. Explaining this to the God Magician had done no good in the past. He didn’t like to hide. Had thought that the time was approaching where he should come out and retake his place on the council, although he wanted to do it on his own terms before anyone suspected he was still alive.
Adler didn’t know how to explain to the One that this would create problems he didn’t know how to deal with, not to mention, what would happen to Adler then? The God Magician would replace him. He’d be kicked off the council, the only place he’d ever known.
“I’m sorry, Master,” Adler said, and Indikos glanced up from the bones, giving him a considering look. The dragon hadn’t wanted to accompany him to see the God Magician that day. Maybe it was his growing strength or the strong odor he emitted, but for some reason, the small dragon disapproved of the whole thing. Adler couldn’t argue. The One scared him, but that was only due to his power.
“There is something else,” Talon said, his spotlight-like eyes strobing around the black room. There were no walls, nothing except darkness.
“Yes, my Lord?” Adler said, his shoulders slumped and eyes low.
“Someone has brought something into the House of Seven that shouldn’t be here.”
“Can you be more specific, Father?” Adler asked.
“I cannot!” he boomed in reply. “It could be related to the record of the prophecy I destroyed long ago. All I know is that I sense a new presence—something that doesn’t belong in the House of Seven. A creature of sorts. You are to find this thing and get rid of it.”
“Yes, of course,” Adler said, nodding and backing away. He hoped they were done.
“Adler,” Talon said, a growl in his voice that made the younger magician shiver. “The girl—I don’t trust her. Unlike the other Royals you’ve conditioned, she isn’t pliable.”
“That’s because she’s been out of the House for so long,” Adler explained. “Do you want me to find a way to force her to live here?”
Talon shook his head, his long white hair, which trailed behind him, sweeping the discarded bones. “No, you screwed that up already, thinking you were trading her residency for the giant’s sword—which turned out to be a fake. I want the girl here less, actually. I believe she senses me in here and I want no one to investigate this place until I’m stronger and ready to leave it.”
Revulsion filled Adler’s stomach. He could hardly fathom the God Magician becoming any stronger, but he knew that this time, he’d return to full strength. Actually, he’d be stronger than ever. They were nearing the anniversary of the House of Seven, which would fuel him. It was this ritual awakening that was key to keeping the real history of the House of Seven buried.
“Are you sure?” Adler questioned. “She shouldn’t be able to see the Black Void. I’ve put up wards.”
“Which may not work for her,” Talon said. “As you mentioned, she’s been out of the House for a long time. She sees the world the way it is, rather than how you’ve conditioned the others to see th
ings, although you’ve done a horribly poor job of that.”
Adler gritted his teeth. “I’ve given Olivia Beaufont cases that would detain her for a long time, or maybe even kill her.”
Adler had considered killing her himself, as he’d done to her family members, but too much suspicion would surround him then. No, it was better if Olivia died on a case, which would definitely happen if she faced these monsters.
“You haven’t tried hard enough,” Talon cut in.
“She has support from others,” Adler explained. “It’s made it difficult. My influence can only do so much on the council, where the power is supposed to be balanced among the members.”
“Yes, speaking of cases you can assign to the girl. I want you to bring back an ancient evil that was long ago banished by Warriors,” Talon ordered.
“You don’t mean…” Adler could hardly believe it. It had taken many Warriors many years to end the reign of those horrible creatures. The House of Seven was supposed to be about fighting evil, so if Adler brought it back, was he going against the very mission he held dear to his heart?
“You know exactly what I mean,” the God Magician said, holding out his hand. In it appeared a small vial of blood.
With shaking fingers, Adler reached for the vial. “You want me to…”
“Yes,” Talon said, his voice cutting. “Bring them back, then assign the girl the case. Where you’ve failed to keep her occupied, this will succeed. There is no way that she can easily face such monsters.”
Bile washed into Adler’s mouth as he stared at the vial in his hand. He wouldn’t have thought it possible, but he actually felt sorry for Olivia Beaufont. Yes, he wanted her out of the way. Dead would be ideal. However, the fate she’d face when confronting these monsters would be worse than death.
If only she could have minded her own business. But like her parents, she had a death wish.
Chapter Two
A long yawn fell from Liv Beaufont’s mouth. The constant rushing of water from the many fountains in the garden of the Chateau de Versailles wasn’t making her feel invigorated. Actually, quite the opposite.
“Is demon-hunting boring you?” Stefan Ludwig asked from beside her, flashing a sideways grin.
“Yes, it sort of loses its charm with you lopping off the head of every demon minutes before I even arrive on the scene,” she stated, her hand on Bellator as they strode through the Orangerie. The smell of sweet orange blossoms hit her in the nose, waking her up a bit.
“I can’t help it if you’re a slowpoke who can’t keep up,” Stefan remarked.
“By ‘slowpoke’ you mean that I move slightly faster than a normal magician,” Liv corrected. “Not all of us are gifted with super speed and senses like you, Demon Boy.”
“I prefer ‘Demon Man,’” he stated.
Liv had to give it to him. Even after nearly dying from a demon bite, Stefan could still joke about the matter. She was one of only two people who knew he’d survived and now shared the strengths of the demons while not being one.
“Cool,” Liv said, scanning the grounds as dusk approached. “I’ll shorten it to De-Man.”
“Ha-ha,” Stefan said dryly. “And maybe all that yawning is your body’s way of asking for some rest.”
Liv shook her head. “Sleep is overrated.”
“I’m not saying I disagree,” Stefan began. “However, you’ve got to give yourself a break at some point. The council has given you a vacation of sorts, and you’re spending it helping me take down demons.”
“Firstly, this isn’t a vacation,” Liv stated. “It would be if the council gave me an all-inclusive trip to the Bahamas. In actuality, they don’t know what to do with me after the werewolf business, which I didn’t solve the right way, according to Bianca, because it didn’t take me long enough.”
“You did just sweep a few werewolves under the rug and call it a day, right?”
“You know I did,” Liv bantered. “And secondly, I’m not helping you take down demons. I think we both know you don’t need my help with that. I’m simply keeping you company while I enjoy the French air.”
“You have a warped way of taking time off,” Stefan observed.
Liv shrugged. Stefan was right, but hell if she was telling him that. The truth was that lately, she couldn’t sleep. The ticking in her chest had gotten so loud that it was like a bomb about to go off at any moment. She kept thinking she needed to be doing something productive. Researching. Investigating. However, she also needed to be careful, and that meant not doing anything that drew attention to herself. Thankfully the busy bee clip Bermuda Laurens had given her kept most from figuring out what she was up to, which was piecing things together about the House of Fourteen. However, that would only work for so long.
“You’re one to talk,” Liv countered. “How many demons are you slaying each night?”
Stefan’s blue eyes swept across the grounds, calculating discrimination in them. Since being changed, his features were more angular, his black hair more chaotic, and his muscles more defined. Needless to say, the change suited him—again, not something she’d ever tell him. Liv saw the way other women eyed him when they went to the pub to get a drink after a long day of slaughtering demons. He had probably been accustomed to getting attention for his looks before, but now he was practically accosted.
“It depends on the night,” he answered. “And we both know that I’m compelled to do this job. But in all honesty, if I may make an observation, my situation is probably very similar to your predicament. I’m not sure what you’re on the hunt for, but I see the obsession bouncing around in your eyes when you don’t think I’m paying attention.”
“It’s nothing of great interest,” Liv said, wishing he hadn’t been so bold as to make that observation aloud. She couldn’t tell Stefan what she was researching, and it didn’t make her feel any better that he spied the obsession in her.
“I’d expect no less from you, Liv.”
“I have a growing fascination with playing Dungeons and Dragons,” Liv lied. “This is the only way to ween myself.”
“Of course,” Stefan said, nodding. “The Warrior who constantly has to battle real elves and gremlins and whatnot plays the board game version of her life.”
Liv held up a finger. “And is absolutely addicted to it.”
“Makes sense,” Stefan said, doubt oozing from his voice. “Speaking of dragons.” He lifted a single eyebrow and gave her a curious stare. “That didn’t happen to be a dragon’s egg sitting on the table in the electronics store when I swooped in and rescued you after the Queen Visa incident, did it?”
Liv picked up the pace, her anxiety seeking to spill from her. “First off, I don’t think you saved me, unless offering me nachos counts.”
“It totally does,” he asserted.
“Hester was the reason Rudolf didn’t end me with his siphoning, but I appreciate you showing up for moral support.”
“How could I not, after I heard of your predicament?”
“And secondly,” Liv continued, “I have no idea what you’re talking about with that dragon egg business. Did you pop a hallucinogen before coming over to try to save me?”
He shook his head. “No, I don’t usually do that until evening, and it was only mid-afternoon then.”
Liv shrugged. “Well, I don’t know. You should talk to someone about this seeing-things problem.”