The Creative Strategist Read online

  “So what’s the plan?” Plato asked, following Liv to the door.

  “I’m just going to mosey on in here and casually grab a booth,” she answered.

  “And then what?”

  “And then I’m going to ask Liam if I can borrow his daughter for an important top-secret task,” she stated confidently.

  “Good idea,” Plato said, his tone teeming with sarcasm. “I see no way this will go wrong.”

  Liv pulled open the door to the dark restaurant, letting the bright Texas sun spill into the place. Everyone turned and looked at her, their eyes lingering on her as rude glares flicked to their faces.

  “Oh, hell, no!” Liam, the owner of the restaurant, yelled. The giant marched from the back straight over to Liv, his face red. “I don’t want you in here! Remember? I told you that.”

  Liv held up her hands, faking a smile. “Look, I don’t have the chicken that caused you so much trouble with me.”

  He shook his head. “Doesn’t matter. Wherever you go, trouble follows.”

  “I sort of feel you’re stereotyping,” Liv said, pretending to be hurt. “Is it because I’m a woman? Or a blonde?” She gasped loudly. “Is it because I’m a Virgo?”

  He scoffed, not falling for this. “No, it’s because you’re a Warrior for the House of Fourteen.” Liam leaned over, nearly having to bend in half to reach Liv’s ear. “My patrons come here to get away from things. They like their privacy, and if some police officer is known to be hanging around, then they aren’t going to enjoy my establishment so much.”

  Liv glanced around the giant, which wasn’t easy to do. “Sounds like you’ve got some law-breakers in here. Maybe I should do a little quality control.”

  Liam stepped to the side, blocking her view. “You’ll do no such thing. My customers are good. They just want to eat and not be judged.”

  Liv sighed. “Well, that’s a relief. That’s exactly why I’m here. I’m totally off-duty, and just wanted a place where I can kick back and have the finest barbeque in the continental United States.”

  Liam narrowed his eyes at her, apparently trying to decide how authentic she was being. “You’re off-duty?”

  “That’s right,” Liv stated. “And it’s been a hell of a day, so if someone comes in here causing problems, you better believe you’re going to have to save yourself. There is zero way I’m going to wrangle any bad guys after the night that I’ve had.”

  Tilting his head to the side, the giant studied her. “So you just came in to eat?”

  “Well, and drink, too, if that’s all right with you? I could use a beer or three.”

  This seemed to relax him. “Okay, fine. Follow me.” Liam led her to a booth at the back, which strangely was mostly out of view of the others. A table of gnomes hushed as she walked by, and a group of leprechauns all stuck their hands under the table as she passed. Liv pretended to yawn as if she wasn’t the least bit interested in their activity. She was taking notes, though. Damn leprechauns were known for scamming, and she was close to figuring out what the little runts were up to.

  “Here you go,” Liam said, holding his hand out to the booth. The lights over it dimmed suddenly.

  “It’s a bit dark, isn’t it?” she questioned.

  “It’s this or nothing.”

  Liv took a seat, drumming her hands on the table. “You have a menu?”

  He crossed his thick arms over his chest. “No. We have barbeque and sides. What do you want?”

  “Hmmm,” Liv said, trying to look into the back and spot the giantess named Matilda. “I’m not sure. I might need a minute. Will you send over the waitress in a bit?”

  He shook his head. “I’ll wait for your order.”

  Liv silently groaned. The grumpy giant wasn’t going to make this easy. “Well, I’m keto, so although I can eat lots of meat, I need to watch my sugars. How many carbs are in a serving of your barbeque sauce?”

  “I don’t know,” he replied at once.

  “And can you substitute lettuce for the bun if I get the pulled pork sandwich?”

  He shook his head. “No.”

  Liv thought for a moment, trying to figure out how to throw the giant off. “I have a nut allergy. Only to pecans, though. You don’t by chance use pecan wood to roast your meat, do you?”

  “I-I’m not sure.”

  Liv’s eyes shifted back and forth. “I wonder if someone in the back might know? I wouldn’t want to have an allergic reaction in front of all of your customers. That would cause a scene.”

  For a moment, Liam looked like he might reach across the table and grab her by the neck. Instead, he sighed and lumbered toward the back.

  “Oh, and I’ll take a bucket of beers!” Liv yelled after him. “Please!”

  Yes, Liam was going to kill her, but it would be okay if she got Matilda to help. Quickly she stood up and looked around the restaurant for the giantess. Anyone who noticed her searching ducked, avoiding eye contact. The leprechauns scowled. Liv grimaced right back, growling slightly.

  Just when she thought she might have shown up on the waitress’s day off, the beautiful giant materialized, carrying a tray of cornbread. Liv remembered she was attractive, in comparison to most giants. Her features weren’t too big or small, and they complimented each other. Her blonde hair was pulled back in pigtails, making her appear young although she was easily the same age as Rory, in her mid-thirties. Giants didn’t have the privilege of growing old gracefully like other magical races, probably due to their size.

  “Over here!” Liv yelled, waving at the giantess.

  Maddie set a tray of cornbread on the table in front of her and glanced at Liv. She smiled, which was incredibly rare for a giant. Without having to be prompted further, she hurried over.

  “Well, hello, Warrior Beaufont. It’s great to see you. My papa said he’s waiting on you directly, but is there something I can help you with?”

  “Oh,” Liv said, thinking quickly. “I was really hoping you’d be my waitress.”

  Maddie gave her a pained expression. “Sorry, my papa seems to want to ensure you have his expert service. And I do have all these other tables to attend to, so I’ll just be on my way.”

  “Cornbread!” Liv yelled, stopping the giantess before she could leave.

  Maddie halted. “What’s that? You want cornbread?”

  Liv nodded like a child begging for seconds.

  “Sure, here you go,” Maddie said, lying a basket of steaming-hot cornbread on the table. “Good to see you. Enjoy your meal.”

  “Actually, I need your help,” Liv said in a rush, looking around for Liam. “I’ve got something important that my giant friend and I need to transport.”

  “Do you mean Rory? The giant you brought in here last time?” Maddie asked, her face blossoming with curiosity.

  Liv nodded. “Yes, and I need another giant. I was hoping that since you’re curious about magicians, the House, and the West Coast, you’d consider the offer.”

  Maddie appeared pained. “I wished I could. That sounds very tempting, but I have my job here.”

  “Right,” Liv said, drawing out the word, trying to come up with another option. “It’s just that my little sister really needs help with a project, and I was thinking…”

  She was hoping the little sister card would persuade the giantess, but her features didn’t shift. When Liv didn’t say anything further, Maddie simply offered an apologetic smile.

  “I really wished I could help, but Papa needs me, and my family comes first,” she said.

  Liv deflated, hanging her head.

  “Maddie, what are you doing over here?” Liam nearly yelled, rushing over to the table.

  Liv didn’t even bother to look up.

  “Sorry, Papa. It’s just that Warrior Beaufont asked for cornbread,” Maddie explained. “And she very thoughtfully offered me a job.”

  “Did she?” Liam growled.

  Liv looked up, guiltily. “Yes, about that wood? Is it pecan?”
/>   Maddie giggled, another thing one never saw a giant do. “Don’t worry, Papa. I told her I had responsibilities here.”

  “What is the meaning of this, Warrior Beaufont?” Liam asked, his face so red it appeared to be covered in barbeque sauce.

  “Sorry, Liam,” Liv said in a rush. “It’s just that Rory and I need help transporting something. It’s for my sister. Bermuda says that we need another giant for it to be successful, and I just thought—”

  “Do you mean, Bermuda Laurens?” Liam asked, his anger turning to intrigue.

  Liv paused. “Why, yes, I do.”

  Liam ran his hands over his chin, appearing astonished. “Of course. That’s Rory’s mum. I didn’t make the connection.”

  “You know Bermuda?” Liv asked.

  “Do I?” Liam said. “We were childhood friends. Lost touch, of course. I’ve been here with Maddie, and she’s been…well, traveling the globe for her book. Smart woman. As smart as they come. I’m surprised you are close to that woman.”

  “Bermuda and I?” Liv asked and then laughed. “We are pretty much besties.”

  “And she needs Maddie’s help?” Liam asked.

  “Well, she needs a giant’s help, and as you know, there’s the festival on the mainland, and therefore not a lot of giants around to offer assistance.”

  Liam nodded, seeming to understand at once. “I don’t want to let Bermuda down. We were once really close. Like sister and brother. She didn’t mention me?”

  Liv dropped her chin. “She did. Of course, she did. Spoke about you fondly, but she didn’t want to push you to help. I thought I could simply ask Maddie and she’d do it. We didn’t want to impose.”

  “Impose?” Liam said, lightening up quite a bit. “I’ve been looking for a way to pay Bermuda back for the thing she did at the Rock of Gibraltar.”

  “And this could be that,” Liv stated. “But again, we don’t want to impose.”

  Liam waved her off, taking another tray of cornbread from Maddie’s hand. “Not at all. For Bermuda, I’m happy to loan Maddie.” He looked at his daughter. “I daresay you could probably use a break from the restaurant.”

  “Are you sure, Papa?” Maddie asked, fussing with the end of one of her pigtails. “I don’t want to leave you.”

  He shook his head adamantly. “It’s totally fine. I insist. If Bermuda Laurens needs you, I want you to help. And although I’m unsure about this one.” He indicated to Liv not so discreetly, “I trust you with Bermuda. We grew up together.”

  Liv looked over her shoulder like Liam might mean someone else.

  “Thanks, Papa. I’m so excited. I get to go on a West Coast adventure,” Maddie exclaimed with a slight squeal, throwing her arms around her father.

  He blushed before pulling away from his daughter.

  Liv stood, brushing off her cape. “Well, I guess we should be off, then.”

  “So you didn’t come in here for food then, did you?” Liam asked with a scrutinizing gaze.

  “I did, but I just remembered I’m vegan as well,” Liv answered. “Do you have any tofu?”

  Liam sighed, shaking his head at her. “Don’t let anything happen to my daughter, Warrior Beaufont, or I’ll have you roasted.”

  Liv saluted. “Don’t worry, I’ll have her home by curfew. Pinky promise.”

  Chapter Six

  Talon Sinclair stuck his head out of the Black Void, looking around the House for the first time in a century. It was different than he recalled, and yet the same. The Door of Reflection was as he remembered from the day Bernard Beaufont had created it. That hadn’t been an easy bit of magic to do. The hallway was covered in gold, and to his horror, statues of the Mortal Seven lined one side. That meant they were growing stronger within the House.

  As Talon knew, the corridor surrounding the void was deserted. He’d suspected that before daring to look out of the place he’d called home all those years. The Black Void wasn’t pleasant, but it was concealed, and that was important. No one but his relatives could see it, keeping his presence secret.

  Hearing someone approach, he pulled his head back, growing dizzy from venturing that far outside the void. It had kept him secure, even when his magical reserves were low. It had kept him hidden. And most importantly, it had given him a place to feed off the House’s energy, growing stronger for the day he’d rise to full power.

  “What did you see?” Kayla asked, picking at her fingernails and appearing utterly bored.

  “Nothing of importance,” he said, sweeping back across the place that had been his sanctuary and was slowing starting to suffocate him. He needed to leave the Black Void soon, but not until Papa Creola was gone.

  “So, the rest of the Mortal Seven?” Kayla began, flicking her white hair out of her face.

  “Yes, why aren’t you going after them now instead of being here?” Talon asked, his sunbeam eyes sweeping the floor but not really seeing as he thought.

  “Because I don’t know which one to go after? There are five families left. How do I know which one to target before Olivia Beaufont tries to cut me off?” Kayla asked.

  Talon spun and stared straight at the girl before him. Unlike Alder, she didn’t flinch from the brightness of his eyes. “Why do you need me to do everything for you? Just pick a family and go after them.”

  “Fine,” Kayla said noncommittally. “And meanwhile?”

  “And meanwhile, what?” he asked.

  “What are you doing?” she dared to ask.

  “I’m spying on the House of Seven’s activity,” he stated.

  “By sticking your head out every day?” she asked, a laugh in her voice.

  He shot her a wicked look. “I’m strong enough to hear different conversations going on in the House.”

  “But not strong enough to take your rightful place, is that right?”

  Talon was about done with this descendant who didn’t have the proper respect for him. “I’ve told you, as long as Father Time is out there, I can’t rise to full power.”

  “Which means, neither can I,” she stated. “I’m a much better Warrior than a Councilor.”

  Because Talon had used a great deal of dark magic, the tree in the chamber had erased Kayla’s name when Olivia Beaufont thought she killed the girl. That task, as well as waking an ancient beast, had depleted him of much of his power.

  “I’ve stirred a beast who will draw Father Time out of hiding,” Talon said.

  “Oh, like the SandMan, or having the pirates steal his hourglass?” Kayla questioned in a taunting voice.

  “No, not like that!” Talon roared. “Like a monster that will challenge and kill someone he won’t want to die. A magical creature he sympathizes with a great deal because they share similar burdens.”

  “So you’re not going to draw out Father Time, but rather hurt someone he cares about, hoping that works?” Kayla asked, doubt in her voice.

  “Yes!” Talon roared. “Why? It’s a good plan. He’s the only one who can save this creature once their life is compromised. I’m certain he won’t let them die. It will work. Once he’s out of hiding, we’ll swoop in and kill him.”

  Kayla shrugged, kicking at the wall. “If you say so.”

  Talon had had enough. He directed his attention at Kayla, and using only a fraction of his power, he knocked her to the floor, a gut-wrenching scream falling out of her mouth as her head hit it.

  After much labored breathing, she whimpered, crawling forward, her fingernails clawing into the cement. “Wh-wh-what was that?” she cried, drool spilling from her mouth as she tried to push herself back up.

  “Don’t ever disrespect me,” Talon commanded, taking a seat on his throne of snakes and lizards.

  “Y-y-yes, master. I’m sorry.”

  Chapter Seven

  Sophia had Pickles in her lap when Liv entered with Maddie. The giantess turned into a baby-talking preschool-teacher-type at the sight of the chimera.

  “Who’s a big lion with a beautiful heart?” she ask
ed the dog, stooping to pet him on the head. “You are. It’s you.”

  Liv and John exchanged curious expressions as Sophia laughed, watching the dog lick Maddie’s face.

  “Ummm, you can see that he’s a chimera?” Liv asked, not having given Maddie many details about what she had been recruited for. To her surprise, Maddie didn’t seem to care. She simply stared around wide-eyed as Liv led her through the streets of West Hollywood toward John’s shop.

  “The guys pushing the carts, what are they selling again?” Maddie had asked, struggling to keep up with Liv since she kept stopping to admire the displays in the store windows. It was the opposite of when she walked with Rory. He was always bent on getting to his destination as quickly as possible with no detours, and one of his strides equaled three of Liv’s.

  Liv snickered. She hadn’t answered the question the first time. “They are homeless. They aren’t selling anything.”

  “Oh,” Maddie said, seeming to choke on the word. “Then the carts are their…”

  Liv nodded, giving the giantess an apologetic expression. Why did she have to be the one to educate her?

  “Well, we have to do something.” She reached into her pocket and pulled out a few coins. “Papa gave me his credit card for emergencies, but I think I have some dollars in here somewhere.”

  Liv grabbed Maddie by the arm and tugged her forward. “We aren’t giving them money.”

  “Why?” Maddie complained. “The one back there looked really hungry. I would be too if I lived on the streets. Do you think he needs a shower? Maybe he could take one at your place.”

  “He can’t, and we don’t give money to the beggars because it doesn’t solve the underlying problem,” Liv explained.

  “But Papa always says, ‘On a full stomach, almost any problem can be solved.’ Maybe all these homeless people need is a good meal,” Maddie reasoned.

  Liv tilted her head to the side, wanting to enjoy this moment of pure innocence before she ripped it all away. She opened her mouth to say something, then thought better of it, shaking her head. “Why don’t you and Rory discuss strategies for helping the homeless? It’s sort of his thing.”