Chapter 43

Rooftop, Downtown Los Angeles, California, United States

Gen didn't know what to expect when she hurried up to the top of the building where she'd been told to meet a so-called magical creatures expert. According to Sophia, Bermuda Laurens was the person who had studied more magical creatures on the globe than anyone else besides their creator—Mama Jamba.

Of course, as with all things in Gen's life, she realized at once that Sophia forgot to mention a few things about this meeting. As she rushed out onto the rooftop that looked over Los Angeles, she was amazed by the meeting spot. It gave her amazingly contrasting views between the ones she'd seen of the city from the ground to now high above it on top of this strange, spiraling building.

Then she noticed that standing on the roof, just a few yards away and regarding her with indifference, was a giant. In her day, one didn't cross a giant's path without pulling out a sword. However, Gen simply froze, not having a sword and not knowing what Bellumferrum would become if she did yank it from her pocket.

Gen looked up at the woman with short, curly brown hair, wearing brown pants and a button-up shirt and wondered if a tiny detail had been left out about the woman she was meeting. "You're Bermuda Laurens, aren't you?" Gen guessed.

The woman, who had quite masculine features and was very tall and wide without being obese, nodded. "Of course, I am. And based on your blonde hair and bad attitude, I can already tell that you're a Beaufont."

"My attitude…" Gen trailed away, thinking that it was best not to argue with this woman. And in all honesty, her attitude probably did come over as bad since she'd rushed over here, was a mess and was also looking at the giant with slight horror right then. "Yes, I'm Gen Beaufont."

"And, yes, I'm Bermuda Laurens," the giantess began, "The expert in magical creatures and the special consultant to the Beaufont family through the last several generations who has ensured they didn't perish from their own sarcastic natures."

"I don't remember being told that latter part," Gen said, through a measured breath.

"It's true," Bermuda assured. "The Beaufonts are both the best thing that's happened to justice and ironically their own downfall, if they aren't careful. They are a really diabolical assortment, but hopefully you're not as rebellious in nature as your relatives."

Gen simply grinned, firmly believing she was the worst behaving of them all.

"Well, then shall I show you a few of my birds while we wait for your dragon to arrive?" Bermuda asked. "He's fashionably late, like he belongs to the clan that is Liv Beaufont."

"He said that he would show up when we were ready for him," Gen imparted, never having met someone with this kind of demeanor. Bermuda was both warm and cold at the same time. She was hard and soft. She was mean and kind. Gen wasn't sure how to take her.

And then there was that whole her being a giantess which instinctively felt like someone she should run away from. But Gen reminded herself that she'd simply grown up in a more primitive time when the races didn't mix. She'd already spent time with a gnome and a fae, two races that she never would have interacted with in the 15th century. Things were different now, and Gen needed to embrace that.

"That seems like a fitting thing for a dragon to say," Bermuda stated matter-of-factly. "And as much as I'm looking forward to meeting this ruler of dragons, I'll table my excitement and share with you other creatures of similar interest. I understand that you need to meet some magical animals to fulfill requirements, correct?"

"Yes, apparently, fifteen hundred," Gen muttered before brightening. "And that would be great. Thank you."

"This way then," the giantess led them to the far side of the rooftop where many aviaries were kept. It was an odd thing to see on the edges of one side of the building, with the many birds' voices filling the air, but it was also a delightful and welcoming surprise.

As Gen neared the edge of the building she was also greeted by another sight. Perched atop a downtown Los Angeles building, she beheld a city of contrasts. Below, the vibrant heartbeat of commerce and life, streets veined with the constant flow of cars, the air buzzing with the murmur of countless stories.

Skyscrapers pierced the sky, their glass facades reflecting the setting sun like beacons of modern ambition, while in their shadows, the forgotten corners whispered tales of grit and resilience. The scent of street food wafted up, mingling with the distant sea breeze, a reminder of nature's proximity to human endeavor.

The city stretched out before her, a mosaic of light and shadow and promise and challenge. From this vantage point, Gen could see the delicate balance of beauty and decay. It was a view that captivated and humbled, filled with the whimsy of dreams against the backdrop of reality.