Page 43 of My Trojan Horse Majesty

She looks up at me. “Are you alright? What was that little tremble? Are you sick? Coming down with something?”

I snatch my hand away. “I’m fine. The blood’s from that guy.” I’m not saying his name. “But I’m glad you’re concerned for my well-being and not upset.”

“Oh, I’m upset alright.” She shakes her head and holds out her hand. “Give me my key and let’s get out of here before the police come arrest you.”

“Do you know what diplomatic immunity means?” I ask.

She rolls her eyes. “I’m not an idiot, but you have no papers. I know you entered a code at the bank, but you think that’s how it works at the local police station?”

“They could watch any news station and see clips of me.”

“Speaking of that, why haven’t they become alarmed that you’re missing?”

“My staff isn’t idiotic. We had protocols in place for this.”

“You had protocols in place?” She drops her hands to her hips. “Do you often drop off the face of the earth, get stuck as a horse, and almost die? You’re frequentlystolenby twenty-something, recent college grads andriddenaround a pasture?” Her mouth’s twitching. “Really?”

I like it when she smiles, and I don’t like it when she’s mad. I do sort of like it when she’s glaring at me, as long as her eyes are flashing and her mouth is twisting like that.

Which is stupid.

I should not care what this woman thinks. Like she’s saying, I have a country to run. I need to focus on getting us unlinked and regaining full use of my magic.

“Let’s get you a new car,” I say. “Then we can get me some new clothing, and prioritize unlinking ourselves. I do need to be able to use my powers again so I can go back to running half the world.”

“Half the world, is it? Because you’re executing other dictators so you can take over their countries?” She tilts her head.

“You’ve been looking me up.” I can’t help my grin. “Yes, I need to get back to all of that. Executions and world domination, etcetera.”

“I can’t believe I’m helping Pol Pot.”

“Oh please. He ruled for three and a half years, and he killed plenty of good people.” I step past her, open the door, and climb into the driver’s side. “I’m not going to be nearly that easy to defeat, and I only kill villains—if I then take over their countries, well, it’s for their own good.”

“Sorry, Stalin. I misspoke.”

Now she’s really irritating me, but it’s in a way no one else ever has.

And I like it.

Maybe too much.

Chapter13

Izzy

Something about Leonid distracts me.

His presence makes me think about his hands, about his wicked smile, and about his bright, terribly green eyes. Then I forget things that matter like. . .

I smack my forehead. “We can’t go buy clothes or whatever else you said. My horses are still atTim’s place.”

“Your—oh.” Leonid nods. “Your horses and your father’s trailer.”

“Stepfather,” I say. “But, yes. I need to get my horses, and I don’t have anywhere else lined up here to take them.”

“Do you remember being shocked when I transferred more money than you asked for?” He glances my way, already pulling out on the road back to Tim’s place. I’m impressed he remembers how to get there.

As we drive off, I notice Tim jogging out of the jail. He waves at us—presumably wanting a ride. Leonid just smiles serenely as we pass.

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