“Well, it looks like we have a party to attend.” Hiker stepped around Sophia and held up an arm for Ainsley. “Shall we?”
The elf nodded. “Yes, I could use some carbs after all that shapeshifting.”
Hiker glanced down at her with unmistakable adoration in his eyes. “You were incredible. We couldn’t have done it without you.”
The elf blushed. “Now my people have their homeland back. Thank you.”
She turned and looked fondly at the group of riders. “Thank you to all of you. The elves are forever in your debt.”
“Good, because I have a few requests,” Evan joked.
Hiker rolled his eyes. “You all were incredible. Excellent teamwork. I couldn’t be prouder of the team I get to lead.” His gaze settled on Sophia. “I’ve had the honor of leading riders for a long time, but never ones like you all who would sacrifice yourselves in the way you did.”
“It was nothing, sir,” Evan teased.
“He was referring to Sophia’s act of bravery,” Wilder shot back.
“She was there?” Evan looked quite serious. He shrugged. “I didn’t see you there, Pink Princess.”
Sophia laughed.
“Well, if you all are done patting yourselves on the back for doing your job, then I’m going to dig into the food.” Mama Jamba strode past the group and headed for the Halloween tent. “I think I smell raspberry pancakes.”
“Yes, let’s refill your reserves,” Hiker said to Ainsley and led her toward the tent as music started to play.
Evan strode forward and hooked his arm around Mahkah’s and Wilder’s necks. “Come on, pals. Let’s go dunk for apples.”
Sophia stayed in place for a moment as she looked between the dragons and the tent while feeling an overwhelming sense of gratitude. For her home. For her friends. For another successful mission.
“Are you coming?” Lunis indicated the tent.
She nodded. “Go ahead. I’ll be right there. I need a moment.”
“Okay, well swing by soon,” he joked and winked at her in her trapeze costume.
Sophia laughed and watched as Lunis started for the tent, the dragonettes skipping along beside him.
Sophia knew that Versalee wasn’t going away. They’d have to deal with her, and it wouldn’t be pleasant. It would most likely involve violence and danger and a host of other things that would challenge Sophia and the Dragon Elite. But they would be victorious against the leader of the Rogue Riders because they worked together. They had everything that the Rogue Riders didn’t. Most importantly, they weren’t going to quit until the world was a safer place.
Sophia could admit that the idea of a group governing the criminal world wasn’t such a bad thing. However, it had to be done right. It was obvious that Versalee wasn’t doing it even remotely the right way.
Soon, the Dragon Elite expected to hear signs of the Rogue Riders and what they were up to. They’d deal with them. But for now…well, for now there would be a celebration because that’s why they did what they did—so they could enjoy the treasures in the world.
When Sophia was about to start for the tent with the festivities, she heard a “peep” at her back. She turned to find Trin standing in the doorway—wearing a dress. Sophia had never seen her in one. It was an elegant long gown, like something Ainsley would wear. Unlike the cyborg’s usual uniform of a full catsuit, it was all white with so much detail. It had lace around the collar and sleeves and was tight in all the right places while also probably covering up the parts of Trin that made her insecure—like her metal legs. It was expertly ripped in places, making it look exactly like the dress it was supposed to portray.
“You look amazing, Trin.”
“Well, I heard you’re supposed to dress up for Halloween. So I thought I’d go as Corpse Bride.”
“You make a beautiful corpse bride.” Sophia meant it.
Trin blushed. “Thank you.” She held out a small metal object. “I found the dress and this on the fifth floor.”
Sophia took the last piece of the key and smiled. “Quiet. That amazing and wonderful gnome.”
“Yes, I guess he wanted me to wear this tonight.”
“I think Quiet had a lot that he wanted to happen tonight.” Sophia looked fondly at the tent where laughter already echoed. The dragons basked in the moonlight and hid around the pumpkin patch. The guys took turns dunking their heads in a bin of water filled with apples.
Sophia held up the key. “Thanks for looking for these and finding them.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Now it’s my turn to return the favor.” Sophia held out her arm and offered it to the cyborg.
“How are you going to get Evan to….well, you know?”
Sophia grinned at her friend. “I have a suspicion that I won’t have to. Sometimes when someone with such creative talents sets the stage, everything comes together. Something tells me this is a magical night, where all the right things are going to happen.”
Trin swallowed and nodded. Then she took Sophia’s arm, and they walked for the tent. Once inside, it was even more amazing than from a distance. Hiker and Ainsley danced on the floor, moving elegantly with each other. Mama Jamba had pulled Mahkah away from the apple dunking and stated that she was going to teach him the Charleston.
When Sophia entered the tent with Trin, Evan’s mouth popped open. Water dripped off his face from his last dunking attempt. He wiped it off with a towel Wilder offered, but never took his eyes off Trin.
“You’re welcome,” Wilder joked.
“Whatever.” Evan stuffed the wet towel back into Wilder’s hands. He strode forward and paused only when he was in front of Trin, who almost vibrated with nerves. “You look beautiful.”
She lowered her chin and blushed again. “Thank you.”
“How did you know that my new favorite Halloween movie is Corpse Bride?” Evan asked.
Trin shrugged with surprise. “I didn’t.”
Sophia smiled, realizing that Trin didn’t know that, but someone else did. Someone who had orchestrated all this. Maybe Quiet didn’t loathe Evan after all. Or he liked Trin and wanted her to be happy.
Evan held out a hand. “Would you like to dance?”
Trin’s eyes widened with surprise. “I don’t know if I can. I don’t know how.”
Evan grinned. “I have enough moves for both of us. Follow my lead.”
Trin nodded, took his hand, and allowed him to lead her to the dance floor. She looked over her shoulder and mouthed the words “thank you” to Sophia. Ironically, Sophia hadn’t done any of this. She could only give credit to the groundskeeper, she thought, while looking at the last piece of the key in her hands.
“It seems we’re the only two not on the dance floor,” Wilder said at her side.
She nodded. “We should fix that, but I want to take a mental snapshot of this right now so that I always remember this moment.”
He put his arm around her and hugged her tightly. “You know, when you came to the Gullington, you brought magic to my life, but you did more than that. You brought magic to all of our lives.”
“Quiet did all this,” Sophia argued.