“Get behind me!” she ordered Tiffannee as she sidestepped and took the place right in front of the mortal.
While bringing Inexorabilis around again, Sophia lopped off the heads of the three closest swans, all teaming up for an attack. She realized that she hadn’t really cut off anything although it seemed like it. The lack of blood from the kills made her feel immeasurably better.
However, those good feelings didn’t last long because Tiffannee screamed behind her and grabbed Sophia’s shoulders as though she was going to jump on her back to get to safety.
Sophia spun as one of the largest swans went for her, its extended neck as long as its spread wings. Its beak was open, and Sophia had only a split-second to react. She was too close to use her sword, so she brought her leg around in a roundhouse kick that ended with her boot thumping against the fowl’s neck.
The bird exploded into smoke and disappeared at once as if she had used her weapon.
Thankfully, Tiffannee wasn’t completely helpless and had picked up some stones and was throwing them at the closest birds. Most of her attempts missed, but a few connected with the aggressive swans and made them vanish.
The area was a mess of smoke, making it difficult to tell how many swans were left. Sophia was careful to stay a safe distance from the mortal as she swung Inexorabilis through the air in a complete circle. She connected with two objects and cleanly sliced through as before, although she couldn’t see anything with all the smoke cloaking them.
As fast as it had started, they were suddenly in complete silence as the four of them stood and looked around, their heads the only thing visible with the smoke all around them. It slowly rolled across the pond and dissipated to show that they were thankfully free from attacking swans.
Together they had defeated them all.
Chapter Forty
“Well that was fun.” Evan cheered and waved his hand through the air to clear some of the smoke.
Tiffannee grimaced at him. “That wasn’t fun at all. That was the scariest experience of my life.”
He chuckled. “That’s why this whole marriage thing isn’t going to work out. That was a regular party time for me. As far as scary goes, try being chased by a crazed cow with sharp horns. That’s still not the scariest thing that’s happened to me today. Pink Princess came down to breakfast this morning without her makeup on.”
Sophia rolled her eyes at Evan, who more and more was like the little brother she never had nor wanted. “They’re gone. Is everyone all right? No one got bit?” She sheathed her sword.
Tiffannee checked over her limbs, but the others simply nodded.
“You’d know if you’d gotten marked,” Blathers stated, then turned and accessed the way they were to hike. It was straight up a steep hill that would require them to dig in and possibly use their hands to climb the sharpest incline.
“Shall we continue?” Sophia strode up next to the gillie.
“Yes, and we should make haste,” Blathers stated. “I have a feeling that with the flock gone, we have limited time that the Glenlivet Thistle will be present for picking. That’s usually how it works after passing the last obstacle.”
“Okay, then let’s go.” Sophia set off quickly but realized it wouldn’t be her, Evan, or Blathers who held them up. That’s why she discreetly pointed behind her and put a speed spell on the mortal.
She was grateful to see that the spell had worked right away as Tiffannee moved around the group at once, took the lead, and almost sprinted up the hill.
“Wow, someone had their Wheaties this morning,” Evan observed and gave Sophia an impressed look as they hiked up side by side and brought up the rear.
She held up her finger and winked at him.
He understood what she’d done at once and nodded appreciatively. “Can you also put a gag spell on her?”
“What was that?” Tiffannee asked over her shoulder as she paused for a moment.
“Nothing dear,” Evan sang. “I told Pink Princess that she was lagging.”
Sophia shook her head at him but smiled.
I got my bio worked out, Lunis imparted in her head as she hiked up the hill with the group. Everyone fell silent from the arduous trek. It was good to have Lunis to entertain her.
Oh, this should be good, she replied with a silent laugh.
It is, he agreed. But it was hard not to brag.
I’m sure it was excruciating for you.
Well, I thought about talking mostly about my flaws. You know, to balance it out.
Which are? Sophia dared to ask.
I care too much. I’m a perfectionist. I’m overly punctual, overly eager to please and donate almost everything I have, leaving me with hardly anything.
And your modesty knows no bounds, Sophia added while leaning forward and using her hands to secure her balance as the hill turned steeply upward.
Right. Lunis drew out the word. I’m so modest.
Okay, let’s hear this undoubtedly inaccurate and totally offensive bio for your dragon dating app, Sophia stated, glad for the entertainment in her head that took her mind off the fact that her calves burned and the air had become thinner.
Ladies, your search is over, Lunis began in a regal tone, sounding like he was reading a speech. The perfect catch is right here, but you’ll have to work to impress me. I have sky-high expectations that I’m sure you’ll never meet, but because I’m so understanding, I’ll look past your many flaws.
This is even better than I could have imagined. Sophia shook her head at how ridiculous her dragon was.
Don’t interrupt, Lunis scolded. I’m getting to the good part.
Oh dear. That wasn’t the good part?
About me, Lunis continued. I’m a big tipper, a baller, a poet, and I make John Snow look like a baby. I have rock-hard abs, love concerts, but probably won’t take you to any because that’s an excellent place to pick up chicks. I invented the internet, duct tape, and Fruit Loops. Introduce me to your family. They’ll no doubt love me. I’m certain they’ll prefer me to you, and we’ll slowly start to edge you out. If you’re ready to improve your life, message me. P.S. I come with baggage. Her name is Sophia, but we’ll come up with fun new nicknames for her.
Sophia couldn’t help but laugh out loud when Lunis finished.
Evan glanced at her. “The voices in your head telling jokes again?”
“You know it,” she replied.
“Maybe you should book an appointment with me,” Tiffannee said over her shoulder. “I specialize in schizophrenia.”
Sophia shook her head. “My only mental illness is the company I keep.”
Did you like it? Lunis asked in her mind.
Like really isn’t the right word, Sophia replied.
You think I’ll catch a hot babe with a snazzy dating profile like that?
You’ll catch something, Sophia replied as they neared the top of the hill. They were so high that the clouds were nearly on top of them.
Great. I’m going to work with the developer to get this dating app off the ground, Lunis stated. Check you later. Good luck with your flower-picking. Maybe next you can do some basket-weaving, followed by painting some watercolor pictures for me.
I’ll get right on that, Sophia retorted as Tiffannee and Blathers halted in front of her. They’d reached the top.