Arbitrate or Die (The Exceptional S. Beaufont Book 2) Read online

  Pouring tepid water into the basin, Hiker shook his head.

  Thad Reinhart was back. It was hard to believe.

  Hiker was certain that he’d killed the man when his riders destroyed Thad’s castle. But if Mama Jamba said that Thad was back, then he absolutely was.

  Destroying Thad, after killing his dragon, hadn’t been what Hiker wanted. Again, he’d hoped that the rider would reform. Killing the Rogue Riders was one thing, but destroying an ancient dragonrider when eggs were dwindling had never been one of Hiker’s hopes. As an adjudicator, he wanted to preserve.

  Ember’s death made Thad more dangerous than ever. Before, the leader of the Rogue Riders had abused his powers, pillaging, and taking advantage of mortals. After Ember’s death, Thad had had a personal vendetta toward the Dragon Elite.

  Hiker had been naïve to think that Thad wouldn’t be as powerful without his dragon since it was unlikely that he’d live long after his dragon’s death. He was wrong. Thad didn’t have anything left to lose, and those with nothing to lose were the most dangerous. He knew that now.

  Pulling together all his resources, the leader of the Rogue Riders had recruited like never before, sending leagues of rebellious men after the Dragon Elite. Thad had always been compelling like that, getting the lost and lonely to follow him. Most of the men he recruited didn’t survive, but what mattered more to Hiker was that most of his own men didn’t either. The Rogue Riders nearly made the Dragon Elite extinct.

  That’s why Hiker gave the order to level Thad’s castle, after trapping him in there. At least, Hiker thought he was in there. Turns out, he must not have been because he was living and breathing in this world, the very same one Hiker thought was safe from such villains.

  Splashing water onto his face, he tried to wash away the sleep from his eyes and the memories from his mind. It had been four-hundred years and the vision of that day that Ember died hadn’t faded for him. He had little hope that it would.

  What was curious to him was how Thad had survived all these years without his dragon. If Hiker had the Complete History of Dragon Riders, he could look it up. He knew the information wasn’t in The Incomplete History. He had that one memorized, and besides, the Castle had given that book to Sophia.

  “I want my book back,” Hiker grumbled to the Castle, knowing damn well that the stubborn old building heard his request. It had been hearing it and refusing to comply for weeks now.

  He shook his head, shaking away the water on his face and beard.

  It was time he faced the worst nightmare he could think of. Thad Reinhart was still alive. He was the greatest threat mortals and the planet Earth faced. It was so bad that Mama Jamba had come out of retirement. Worse was that she was close to giving up, thinking Thad was too powerful to beat.

  Hiker always suspected that if unchecked, Thad would be a furious force that pillaged until the Earth was reduced to nothing. It appeared his greatest fears might come to fruition if he didn’t do something to stop him.

  Chapter Three

  Sophia had the strange desire to hum as she strode downstairs. She felt like she could feel the essence of the Castle striding next to her, encouraging her, singing with her. But she often felt that way and had started to realize how nuts she was going since talking to a building. Ironically, she thought Ainsley was crazy for the same thing, and now she was becoming just like the housekeeper.

  In the magical community, few things were considered weird. Speaking to buildings was one of them, though. Seeing the future was the second. Otherwise, most things were fine, although subject to change depending on weather conditions.

  “Where did I leave my earbuds?” she wondered as she walked around the Castle. She didn’t want to go down to breakfast yet.

  Evan was on the warpath and always showing up early, dictating different things. He’d taken it upon himself lately to have ownership of the bacon. Apparently, he was going after anything he could. Sophia figured it was because he felt useless, still recovering from electrocution. Bullying was ingrained in him and Quiet was, as always, one of his main targets.

  “They are in your pocket,” Mama Jamba said, lying on a settee, her face covered in thick white cream and cucumber slices covering her eyes.

  Sophia was about to tell Mother Nature that this was impossible when she felt something press into her pocket. She halted and slipped her hand into her jeans, pulling out her earbuds.

  “How did…” Sophia shook her head, marveling at the mystery of the Castle and the all-knowingness of Mama Jamba. Together they were a fun and mesmerizing force.

  “What are you doing?” Sophia asked her, noticing the short woman was wearing a silver tracksuit, her toenails divided with cotton balls, having been freshly painted. Her silver hair was held back from the face mask with a headband and something glossy shimmered on her lips.

  “I’m doing my weekly hydrating mask and beauty regimen,” Mama Jamba informed her, pulling one cucumber off her eye and squinting like her vision was adjusting to the light. “I just did my nails and next is a deep conditioning treatment for my hair.”

  “That’s nice,” Sophia said, trying to keep the curiosity out of her voice.

  “But…” Mama Jamba said.

  “Well, I’m just wondering why you don’t just magic yourself younger or more hydrated or whatever,” Sophia admitted.

  “I could certainly do that and have,” Mama Jamba admitted. “I’m the most powerful magical entity in this world. However, that gives me the supreme intelligence to know that even when you magic your appearance, it doesn’t affect the way you feel. The only thing that does that is pampering.”

  “Oh, well, that makes sense,” Sophia said, remembering when she’d changed her appearance with magic. It changed the way she looked but not how she felt.

  “When was the last time you had a massage or a pedicure or whatever, my dear?” Mama Jamba asked.

  Sophia shrugged. “Never.”

  The woman sat up, the other cucumber falling off her face. “Never? Well, that simply won’t do. You must go and pamper yourself first thing today.”

  Sophia laughed. “Although that sounds nice, I have—”

  Mama Jamba shook her head. “No arguments. You are going for a pedicure. I insist.”

  “Thank you, but Hiker will—”

  “To hell with Hiker,” Mama Jamba stated. “All missions can wait. You’re going to see my lady. She’s the best. I’ll make you an appointment.”

  “That’s really nice of you but—”

  “It’s not about being nice,” Mama Jamba interrupted. “It’s about taking care of my rider. You work for me, and I know that if you aren’t feeling at your best, well, you won’t be at your best.”

  “I work for you?” Sophia questioned. “I thought the angels had something to do with it.”

  “Well, you report to Hiker, technically,” Mama Jamba stated. “But I’m his boss. The bit with the angels is a bit complicated. I technically work for them, but the managerial structure is sort of haywire at this point. Anyway, I say you’re going to see Mae Ling straight after breakfast.”

  “Mae Ling?” Sophia questioned.

  Mama Jamba held out her hand with a small slip of paper in it. “Yes, you can find her there. She will make you feel brand new. Taking care of your feet is almost as important as taking care of your heart.”

  Sophia took the piece of paper. “Okay, thank you.”

  “And,” Mama Jamba said, a hint of mischief in her voice, “I daresay that there might be added benefits to seeing Mae.”

  “Like?” Sophia asked.

  “You’ll have to see that for yourself.”

  Chapter Four

  The men fell silent when Sophia entered the dining hall for breakfast, not as late as she had expected. She swept her head around, looking over her shoulder when they all glanced up at her in unison, shocked expressions on their faces.

  When she turned back, she shrugged. “So, there’s not a demon following me th
rough the Castle? Why are you all giving looks of horror?”

  “Aside from the fact that you’re wearing the most impractical color of armor in the world?” Evan asked, lounging back in his chair and putting his boots on the table.

  “Oh good, you’ve recovered enough to have meals with us again,” Sophia said dryly, taking her usual spot between Quiet and Mahkah. “Nice hair, Electric Boy.”

  Evan’s grin dropped when he ran his hand over his shaved head, having lost his long black dreads to electrocution while trying to find the entrance to Mother Nature’s temple. “This is just because I was ready for a change,” he lied.

  Wilder laughed. “Yeah, it was quite shocking to see the new hairstyle.”

  Unapologetically, Sophia glanced down at her pink outfit. “What’s wrong with my armor?”

  “Besides the fact that it is the exact opposite of camouflage and would get you easily spotted in combat?” Evan countered.

  Sophia wasn’t letting go of the advice that Rudolf had given her when they were in Tanzania. She was tired of downplaying the fact that she was a woman around these men. That meant she was going to stop wearing the boring colors and baggy clothes that hid her curves.

  What she wasn’t going to do was disclose to them where Mama Jamba was sending her later that morning. She was going to start being proud of her femininity, while also not coming off as prissy. It would be a fine balancing act, she had decided.

  “Says the guy who has a purple dragon,” Ainsley said, striding in from the kitchen carrying a pitcher of fresh-squeezed orange juice. She slapped Evan in the back of the head.

  He ducked forward, giving her a look of offense. “What was that for?”

  “Get your boots off my table, or you’ll get another but harder this time,” Ainsley warned, brandishing a fist at him.

  “You don’t want that, mate,” Wilder stated. “You can’t afford to fry any more brain cells.”

  Beside Sophia, Quiet muttered.

  Ainsley laughed in response, nodding. “Quite right. Quite right.”

  Evan shook his head, pulling his boots off the table. “I don’t know what the gnome said, but I’m sure it was an insult.” He pointed at the groundskeeper. “Why don’t you speak up, unless you’re afraid of what will happen if I actually hear what you say?”

  Quiet narrowed his eyes at Evan and mumbled again, his chin low.

  Ainsley slapped her knee, laughing hard. “Oh, I couldn’t have said it better myself.”

  Evan rolled his eyes. “The two of you are daft. Too many years in the Gullington have made you looney.”

  “Yes, Evan,” Sophia said, spreading jam on her toast, “tell me all about your recent adventures out of the Gullington that didn’t involve being electrified.”

  Evan flashed her an evil grin. “Hiker has cleared me to leave. I’ll be out there doing all sorts of stuff now. And Coral blends into terrain with her coloring, unlike you, pretty little princess in pink.”

  “I’m not going out on a combat mission right now,” Sophia fired back before taking a bite of her toast.

  “Where are you going?” Hiker asked, standing in the entryway, his eyes on her.

  She cleared her throat, her eyes drifting back to Evan. “And my armor isn’t just pink. It’s practical. I have pockets. So there.”

  He shook his hands in front of them. “Wow, look at you putting me in my place. You’ve shown me.”

  Ainsley smiled down at Sophia. “Pockets are a smart addition. Good going, S. Beaufont. You should go into fashion design.”

  “Yes, that’s exactly what you should do while I’m off saving the world,” Evan said proudly. “Make mine green, to match my eyes.”

  “It will match the boogers stuck in between his teeth,” Ainsley said, hurrying for the kitchen with an empty tray.

  Most everyone but Hiker and Evan howled with laughter, even Mahkah, who usually stayed neutral during such rip sessions.

  “Good morning, Hiker,” Wilder said cheerfully as their leader took a seat.

  Hiker cut his eyes up to him and grunted, grabbing the container of eggs.

  Wilder gave Sophia a curious expression, also reading the strange mood the Viking was in. She didn’t expect him to be happy after learning that Thad Reinhart was back, an apparently monstrous villain. However, she did expect him to seem a bit more positive now that Mama Jamba was in the Castle.

  “So, Mother Nature is here,” Wilder said, leaning forward in a conspiratorial whisper. “Have any of you seen her?”

  “S. Beaufont has,” Ainsley sang loudly, coming back in carrying a plate of raw bacon. “She’s the one who went and fetched her.” The housekeeper leaned down low, her face next to Wilder’s. “And whispering isn’t really that effective since she can pretty much hear everything, always.”

  “I know that Sophia found her and brought her to the Castle,” Wilder stated, glaring at the platter of uncooked bacon. “That’s why we were all giving her stunned expressions when she entered.”

  “Not me,” Evan replied. “I was looking at her ridiculous attire.”

  Ainsley laid the platter of meat next to Evan. “Do me a favor. The burners are all occupied. Can you warm this up for me, Sparky?”

  He shoved the platter away as most of the table laughed at his expense again. “Would you get out of here, Ainsley? We have real business to attend to now that Mother Nature has returned.”

  The housekeeper slapped her hands to her face, her mouth falling open. “Of course, sir. Don’t talk about your complex affairs until I leave the room. I wouldn’t want my head to explode.”

  “Ha-ha,” Evan said with no real humor. “You really wouldn’t understand the things we have to battle.”

  “Nooooo.” Ainsley drew out the one word. “I wouldn’t. I just happen to be one of the few people who have met the villain that you’ll have to face in your green uniform with lots of ruffles.”

  “Ainsley!” Hiker chided.

  She cupped her hand to her ear. “What?” Turning her attention back to the table, the elf said, “Oh, I hear the Castle calling me. Apparently, it’s afraid the stench from Evan’s room will send Mother Nature away. I’m coming!” Ainsley hurried for the entryway.

  “What’s she talking about, sir?” Mahkah asked Hiker.

  He sighed. “Mama Jamba has brought something of great concern to my attention.”

  “Mama who?” Evan asked.

  “It’s the name that Mother Nature prefers to go by,” Sophia explained.

  “Oh,” Wilder exclaimed. “What’s she like? I picture her like a tree with vines for hair and old soul eyes.”

  Sophia gave Hiker a hesitant expression. “She’s not quite like that at all. Haven’t any of you seen her around the Castle yet?”

  They all shook their heads.

  “Oh, but she’s just up there on the first landing,” Sophia said, pointing in the direction of the stairs. “You couldn’t have missed her on your way down, and I’m certain she’s been there for a while.”

  “Why are you certain of that?” Evan questioned skeptically.

  Sophia didn’t want to say it was because the face mask that Mother Nature had been wearing had looked about set, which meant she’d probably had it on for about half an hour. Instead, she shrugged. “I just am.”

  “So, Pocket Princess is the only one who has met Mother Nature,” Evan grumbled, sitting back and crossing his arms over his chest.

  “Well, she and Lunis are the ones who found her,” Hiker replied.

  “Will you tell us about this villain?” Mahkah asked, his face serious.

  “Right.” Hiker nodded and pushed his plate away, not having taken a single bite. “It appears that a treacherous man who I’d thought dead is still alive. I need to do more research before I go into detail, but his name is Thad Reinhart.”

  “Oh angels,” Quiet said loud enough for everyone at the table to hear.

  They all spun to look at the gnome, shock on their faces.

  Hike
r nodded. “Yes, of all the men to return from the dead, he’s the worst, and I suspect he’s behind much of the evil polluting the world. Mama Jamba has told me that much, but like I said, I’ve got to look into things myself.”

  “Tell us more about this Thad Reinhart,” Wilder urged, leaning forward.

  “Not right now,” Hiker replied. “Tomorrow, I’ll begin assigning you all cases. We need to systematically go after Thad, but it will take special planning.”

  “What kind of planning, sir?” Wilder asked. “Can we help?”

  “No,” Hiker said at once. “I’ve got to do this on my own.”

  Something seemed to be haunting the leader of the Dragon Elite. Last night as he had given Mama Jamba a speech about standing up to Thad, he’d had new confidence. It wasn’t that it had entirely receded, but he seemed to have lost some of his spark, as if a new fear had taken seed in him during the night.

  “He will come after us all,” Ainsley said, shaking her head from the doorway.

  Everyone turned their chins to look at her.

  “Ainsley,” Hiker warned.

  She pursed her lips at him. “I know. You’ve got to do your research. And you don’t want them knowing all the specifics until you’re ready.”

  “What specifics?” Evan asked.

  “I’ll tell you tomorrow,” Hiker retorted, his eyes narrowed on the housekeeper. “Today, you’ll train. Prepare. We will meet first thing in the morning.”

  “Do we get to meet this Mama Jamba?” Evan asked.

  “If you can find her,” Ainsley stated. “I’ve still yet to encounter the woman. The Castle won’t give me a clue about where she is.”