Page 16 of Bounty Hunter

I follow the unaware couple, who turn the handle of a door at the end of the hallway and enter another room. I follow them into a press of people, shouting and jeering and immediately jostling against me. I push my way forward, curious about what the focus of their excitement is. The heat of the crowded space presses on me, and I find myself sweating after just minutes. Swearing and jeers ring in my ears, and soon, I see why. From several rows of people back, I see the ropes of a fighting ring. A man in jet-black leather armor stands on the corners of the ropes, his long hair tied back, and with a strong arm jams a small piece of parchment in the air.

“Winner gets the list!” he shouts. “Last call!”

The crowd roars and pushes forward, and I watch as several large men move forward to sign their names on a parchment near the ring.

I look around, trying to figure out what is going on. What is the list about, and why would so many be willing to fight for it? Probably just a bunch of bored drunks out to have fun. I’m about to leave before I decide to ask a somewhat coherent-looking man what the deal is.

I raise my voice to be heard over the commotion, “What’s the list?” I gesture toward the man still standing on the ropes and waving the list, tauntingly, urging fighters to sign up.

“A list o’ Tulips to be found for reward and only one list to be had.” He grins.

List of Tulips?My heartbeat picks up its pace.It can’t be this easy.The man is about to begin weaving through the crowdagain, but I stop him with a hand on his shoulder. “To be found? For what?”

The man is beginning to look annoyed, but answers me anyway. “Someone’s set a reward on Tulips. Wants ‘em dead. If you want it, better join the fight, or you won’t know who to look for and who to go to for payment.” He jerks his shoulder from my grip and disappears into the swarm of people. I don’t stop to think about it. If that man is right, that list is exactly what I need. And also exactly what I need to keep from anyone willing to track Tulips down to kill them.

Without thinking any further, I roughly push my way to where the list of competitors sign up and reach for the quill, but a greedy-looking man with gaps of missing teeth in his smile opens up a large bag and taps the amount posted on a sign to join the fight. Above the price, it’s clearly noted that this is a fight between mercenaries. Can a person decide he’s a mercenary at any time? I don’t know, but I just did. I pull out the money—it’ll take everything I brought tonight—but I drop it anyway, knowing it will be well worth it if I can get that list. I grab the pen from him and scribble my name beneath the long list of competitors.

“What are the rules?” I ask.

The man laughs, and air whistles between the gaps of his teeth. “Aren’t any.”

I’m pushed aside by three more men and a woman who also pay and sign their names beneath mine. I clench my jaw. It’s going to be a long night.

Chapter 13

Nadiette

Isit across from Tryn, my second in command and ever-faithful assistant. Plates of exquisitely-plated food are set before us, then the server gives a slight bow and moves to the next table. I pay the other diners no heed, still in knots about Ikar’s decision. He left three days ago, and the days have been torturous.

Tryn takes a delicate bite and comments on the food, but I hear none of it. She keeps up the conversation, talking about the newest Originators and how their training is going until a server with a message on a small plate bows slightly before me.

“For you, my lady.”

My eyes widen momentarily before I slip the message off the plate and nod my thanks. The server leaves, and I break the smudged wax seal, scanning the message quickly

Abruptly, I speak. “I need your help.”

Tryn, a bite halfway to her mouth, slowly places the utensil back against her plate. “Of course.” She wipes her mouth carefully with a white napkin that looks dull compared to the pure white of her gown.

“I spoke to you of Ikar’s foolish plan to find and, not onlymarry, a Tulip, but bridge with her. Our ancestors protected the kingdom from them before, and we must do so now.”

Tryn nods, concern in her eyes. “What do you plan to do?”

I hold the message up between two fingers and wiggle it with a smile. “Stop him, of course. I meet Rita’s contact tonight. I asked for a list.”

Tryn leans forward, eyes wide and speaks in a whisper. “A list of the Black Tulips?”

“Yes. But I need your help to figure out how to use it.”

Tryn sits back, frowning. “Well, we could gather a search party and find them all?—”

I shake my head. “No, it would attract too much attention. The less who know of Ikar’s recklessness, the better.”

Tryn ponders for a moment. “I’ve never known Ikar to be reckless.” Doubt laces her voice.

I fist the linen napkin in my hand. “So, you believe that bringing the Tulips back to their former position of fame and power is safe?”

Tryn hesitates. “I… haven’t had a chance to learn?—”

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