Chapter 6

FORGING CONNECTIONS

The Fantastical Armory, Roya Lane, London, England, United Kingdom

Maybe it was the impromptu shopping trip, taking Gen’s mind off her other tasks, or it was being beside Jack, but for some reason she had felt lighter as they strode down Roya Lane. It could also be the feeling of pride, knowing that she was helping Jack—calling in a favor with her many connections. Or it could still be the rush after breaking his sword by surprise.

She knew the Beaufonts were a special family—partially thanks to her and her father being Founders of the House of Fourteen. But also, just because they all had a reputation for being incredible and also troublemakers in their own right. But sometimes, she was reminded of just how incredible and plugged in her family was.

Most, Gen realized more so than ever, didn’t have regular access to Mother Nature and Father Time. Most couldn’t just pop in and see the Protector of Weapons. Not only that, but Gen was friends with the king of the fae and Sherlock Holmes.

She had met with the supreme expert on magical creatures—Bermuda Laurens. And she’d been in the Great Library with Paul, the Great Librarian. Also, Gen knew Saint Valentine, probably because they were blood-related. And the list of ways that Gen was connected was growing more and more by the minute. She realized now that her life and the people in it weren’t something others, even those who were Rogue Riders, were exposed to.

“Do I look okay?” Jack asked, straightening the collar of his shirt, which was tucked under a leather fitted jacket made of armor.

Gen glanced sideways at him as they took the steps up to the shop of oddities. “Why? Are you fishing for a compliment?”

“Well, if you want to tell me I’m fine as hell, I won’t stop you,” he replied back, brandishing a tamed grin. “But I was mostly asking because unlike you, pure royalty, I’ve never met Mother Nature or Father Time. And the Protector of Weapons is pretty legendary. Many dragonriders have access to Wilder, his assistant, for questions and whatnot, but even then, that’s not the same level.”

Gen waved him off. “Subner is pretty underwhelming. I wouldn’t hype these guys up so much.”

Opening the door to the Fantastical Armory, Gen felt the rush of familiarity wash over her. Since this place had been like her first home in the modern age, many aspects of it met her senses with a bit of nostalgia. She held the door open for Jack, who seemed more than nervous as he followed her into the shop.

“I heard that,” Subner muttered, sitting in his usual spot behind the glass counter, reading a book, like always. The dark, greasy-haired grump didn’t look up as the pair entered the Fantastical Armory.

“Which part?” Gen asked, striding up to the Protector of Weapons who should be attractive, since he was currently taking the form of a fairy, but without wings. The fairies were known for being really handsome and beautiful. However, Subner put zero effort into his appearance, wearing dark, baggy clothing and a sullen expression.

“You think I’m underwhelming,” he replied, turning the page of his book, not looking up.

“Well, for a demi-god, yeah, I think people expect a bit more,” Gen argued. “I mean, you just look like a guy who works here.”

“I do work here,” Subner muttered, pretending to read.

“Yes, but you don’t look like the Protector of Weapons or the assistant to Father Time,” Gen said with a laugh, watching as Jack looked around the shop full of magical artifacts and weapons covered in dust, total awe written on his face.

“You’d like my brother better,” Subner imparted, pushing his shoulder-length hair behind his ear. “He dresses the part and is very extravagant in appearance. A bit wasteful if you ask me.”

“Who is your brother again?” Gen asked, having heard this information at some point but unable to remember it with all the other pieces lobbed at her during her education of the modern world.

“Subfar,” he answered matter-of-factly. “He’s the Protector of Wealth. Rose is his assistant. Between the two of us, we work to maintain the balance over material things.”

“Weapons and money?” Gen asked, giving Jack a curious look. “Who would have thought those were the two things that would have demi-gods watching over them in the material world?”

“Well, one creates chaos and the other tries to combat it,” Subner explained, finally glancing up from his book. “And why is it that you have brought an outsider into my shop? I don’t believe that Jack Lane has permission to be here.”

“He’s my guest,” Gen said quickly, her heart beating fast. She hoped that she wasn’t going to fail on her offer to Jack and look like a fool. “And I was hoping that you could help him.”

“It doesn’t work that way,” Subner mumbled, returning to his book. “You don’t get a guest pass for your friends to enter this shop. You can’t request that I help them either.”

“How do you know my name?” Jack asked, surprise in his eyes.

“I know things…” Subner turned another page in his book.

“But how?” Jack asked, the shock still covering his face.

The Protector of Weapons grimaced. Looked up. Stared straight at Jack. “When you were three, you found that plastic sword in the toy bin. You wouldn’t let it go, holding onto it and sleeping with it at night like one would a teddy bear. It wasn’t until it broke in half, when you were eight and this time a repair wouldn’t work, that you let it go. Do you know why you were so obsessed with swords from an early age?”

Jack’s eyes widened with even more surprise. “How did you know all that? And no, why am I so obsessed with swords?”

“Because of me,” Subner replied flatly. “I instill in true swordsmen a love for the weapon akin to a soulmate. That is because they must value the blade they carry with all their heart. Only then will they use it to fight for what is right, rather than use it to destroy and maim, creating that which is wrong.”

“You made Jack love swords?” Gen asked. “Did you do that for me?”

“No, because you were destined for Bellumferrum,” he answered. “And not all who carry a sword have been instilled by me with this passion. A few select—some Warriors for the House of Fourteen, many dragonriders and a few others. There are far fewer presently since the sword has been replaced by guns and technology and fallen out of fashion.”

Jack shook his head. “Not me. There’s nothing better than a sword. I would trust no other weapon more.”

Subner blinked at Gen, giving her a look of true annoyance. “You’re going to make me help him, aren’t you?”

“I think that he’s worthy of your assistance,” Gen replied. “And I broke his sword with Bellumferrum so I owe him.”

“Bellumferrum did no such thing,” Subner countered. “You broke Jack’s sword so that you could spend more time with him.”

Gen blushed, jerking her head to the side, avoiding looking at either man. “That’s absurd.”

“And then you thought that because you knew me, you could bring your so-called friend here for help,” Subner continued.

“Of course, she can,” Mama Jamba’s southern accent chimed from the front of the shop. Gen and Jack turned to see the old woman with a head full of grayish-blue curls striding in their direction. Today she was wearing a hot pink tracksuit which matched her lipstick perfectly. “Gen is always welcome here. This was her first home in this time. And she can bring anyone with her who she likes, especially one of my favorite Rogue Riders, Jack Lane.” Mama Jamba halted just a few feet from them, batting her eyelashes at the pair. “And I swear young man, you are as handsome as I intended…”