Page 17 of Bounty Hunter

“And hopefully, you don’t. It would be the worst thing to happen to our kingdom in two hundred years.”

Tryn presses her lips together.

I continue, “I need to act quickly. Think it through tonight.”

Tryn whispers again. “It’s really not safe for you to go to that place.”

I laugh lightly. “You have no idea how many times I’ve been there. No need to worry.”

Long after the suns have set, I shed my white apparel for a pair of somewhat ragged breeches, a dark shirt, and black jacket. The regular when I step out to meet with contacts of a special sort.

In positions such as Head Originator, it’s important to have eyes and ears everywhere to better protect my Originators and the kingdom. How else am I supposed to do my job well? I throw a long cloak over my shoulders and pull the hood forward before disappearing into the night, sticking to the shadows as I cross into the side of Moneyre that most women are afraid to travel at night.

Among the street lined with leaning and shabby taverns, I enter the worst of them. The owner, a woman with fiery red-orange hair, meets my eyes and gives a small nod.

I slide into a seat and wait until the woman waves me toward the back. Then I stand and make my way around the unruly, boisterous crowds.

“Rita,” I greet from within the shadows of my hood.

“Through here.” She opens the door into a darkened, more private room at the back. As soon as I walk in, she pulls it shut behind her.

The only other person in the room is hunched over in a chair in the corner, as cloaked and hidden as I. Ignoring the twinge of fear, I stride across the room, pull out a chair, and confidently take a seat.

I sit across from the figure, who I sense returns my stare, for one minute, then two.

Done with the game, I stack three gold coins on the table. Enough to buy warm meals and lodging for two months.

“You want the Black Tulips?” The voice sounds intentionally raspy, hiding its true nature. Maybe even glamoured. But if I were to guess, I’d say it’s a woman.

I nod and wait for her to continue.

She’s silent for another moment. I place another coin on the stack.

Then another.

She pulls a tattered piece of parchment from the folds of her cloak and places it on the edge of the table nearest her.

I sigh and place two more coins on the already towering stack, getting annoyed.

The woman finally slides the paper across the table, and I snatch it before any more of my coins are forced atop the stack. I unfold it and find a hastily-written list of seven names. When I look up to ask where the information came from, she’s already gone.

The next morning, I stand, turning my back on the list that lies flat on my desk, and walk to my window, my white gown trailing behind me. I look over the courtyard, servants busily crossing back and forth, soldiers, nobles, and others talking as they pass through the curated gardens and fountains. Rounding up the Tulips is a start, but Ikar is competent, strong, and smart. If anyone can find a Tulip, it’ll be him, and that cannot happen.

I stare unseeing out the window now. Last night, I was ecstatic to have the list. Now, sobered by a long night of no sleep, I wonder how to slow him down without hurting him. The castle feels empty without Ikar here, and it only adds to my longing. He started the search for a cursed Tulip several days ago. If he happens to find one right away, he could be back any day. I press a fist to my lips as I hold back a sob, imagining a new woman on Ikar’s arm who’s wearing the crown meant for me. I fist my hands at my sides and blink rapidlyto clear my eyes. Somehow, he must be stopped. He must have time to return to his senses.

Tryn speaks from a small settee at the opposite side of the room, “You could use the Royal Hunters to track down the seven women.”

I shake my head, still looking out the window so Tryn doesn’t spot the wetness in my eyes. I never show such weakness in front of my Originators. “Again, I don’t want too much attention drawn to this. No one from the castle or any of his soldiers. We need someone relatively trustworthy but not too honorable, or they won’t accept the job.”

Tryn thinks for a moment. “The mercenaries?”

I nod slowly as the idea grows on me. The mercenaries are known to be a dangerous bunch. Some are ex-soldiers, and most just violent, well-trained criminals who’ll take any job that pays well enough.But should I care who captures the Black Tulips? I’m no murderer, but I certainly don’t want one ruling by Ikar’s side. What lengths am I willing to go to protect our kingdom?

“Yes,” I say with finality, rushing back to my desk with swirling skirts and pulling a new sheet of parchment from a stack before neatly and quickly scrawling the seven names of the women I paid for. I take a moment to consider the reward amount, knowing it must be large. I add the information to the bottom, fold it up, and then stand and walk to the window again.

“Nadiette?” Tryn asks.

“The plan is missing something,” I say quietly. “I must think.”

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