Page 11 of Iron Unicorn

Having heard numerous stories of the Texan king pulling tricks, I nodded. “Anything recent?”

“Beyond heading to New York to participate in his first kidnapping? He’s mostly behaved. He even used the appropriate channels to participate in his first real kidnapping. What’s it like being kidnapped?”

I shook my head, and despite myself, I chuckled. “Mostly, it was confusing. I’ve got some soreness, but let me tell you, it was quite baffling how I had ended up in Texas when I last remember taking a walk in New York—on palace grounds. I’m guessing there’s a gap, and one of my habits happened to go near said gap.”

“The gap has since been closed, and the New York teams are getting scenario training. You’ll go back to New York to an improved situation. Alfred’s doing your job right now with backup. Unbeknownst to him, he passed his latest physical and has the required mobility to return to active duty. However, I suspect Montana is going to keep him off as head of detail positions because he’s shining in training and overhauling teams. That is a discussion that’ll be held after you are returned to New York. It’ll essentially be a promotion, too. He’s in demand.”

As I’d been worried about Alfred and his health after his stroke, I breathed a relieved sigh. “Good. I’m not going to be worried about my queen with Alfred on duty.”

“I do believe that was the idea behind sending him to New York. We’re on standing orders to manageyouranxiety regarding your post in New York, so if you get edgy, do us all a favor and let us know.”

I allowed myself a grin. RPS agents often wished their principals would be a little more cooperative on such matters. “I think I can handle letting you know if I’m worried about my queen. I’m not, assuming she is not losing her mind because I took an unexpected trip to Texas.”

“Considering she has been bribed with an official visit here, where she will be fed by King Patrick early and often, it’s safe to say you have been sold out with enthusiastic glee.”

A year ago, my queen would have been in therapy with her animals and consort, likely on the verge of tears. “That’s a hefty improvement.”

“We’ve noticed. You’ve worked wonders with her along with your team. For the next matter of business: your run on Queen Jessica.”

“I’m going to be inconsolable if I don’t get to try her, and I want the princess on my team. Not quite solo but realistic. Olivia is a powerhouse when she allows herself to use her talents. This would be a good chance to make her more comfortable with using her abilities in a safe environment.”

“We can schedule two runs, with Princess Olivia partnering with you for your second. For your first, the princess will be invited to join the queen’s team. You’ll have to extract one or both to win the scenario. We’ve decided if you bag either royal, the game is yours. If you get both, I’m pretty sure you’ll become a legend.”

Hm. I spent a shameful amount of time contemplating how I might get away with both. With my talent, I could rig some form of cart to wheel them out, as carrying both went beyond my physical conditioning. Also, knowing both women, they would do their best to land me in the hospital even during a scenario. I wouldn’t die, but I’d need significant care.

Queen Jessica would call it a deserved break, and she’d tack on an extra week to my recovery time just to be certain I’d emerged unscathed following treatment.

Olivia would tell me I deserved it for even trying her.

I wanted to bag both of them with every fiber of my being.

“Both,” I murmured, eyeing the Texan RPS agent with interest. “At the same time.”

“That’s correct. You will have the opportunity to bag both of them in a single scenario.”

“Do I get any preparation time?”

“You do. You’re going to be treated as an RPS agent who was let go for ethical reasons. We want to test how thorough our access removal is. You’ll have a week preparation and be fully enrolled in the palace’s security system. The scenario will begin when your termination has been processed. The start of the scenario will be when you are being escorted off palace grounds. As such, all teams will be on high alert.”

That would complicate matters for me, but I appreciated the compliment the Texan RPS paid me.

They thought I might be able to pull it off.

With my talent, it wasn’t an impossibility, although I’d have to do some significant damage to their security system. “When is the palace’s security system scheduled to be revamped?”

“About two hours after the conclusion of our security window. For some reason, we anticipate having a highly motivated metalweaver busting into the place. You’ll be briefed on the equipment the royals would rather not replace unless absolutely needed. Your second scenario, run with Olivia, can take advantage of the maintenance on the security system.”

Unable to help myself, I stared at my fellow RPS agent. “What did I do to deserve that sort of treatment?”

Quincy snickered. “Queen Jessica cooked it up because you were being kidnapped. She still feels you were not properly compensated during your duty for before your queen took the throne.”

“I was compensated fairly!”

“In Queen Jessica’s world, you are clearly a pauper who has never been pampered or spoiled in your life, and as such, she demanded we concoct the truly perfect reward for an upstanding RPS agent who has beensoabused throughout his career.”

Once the first laugh escaped, I was helpless to stop the rest, and I doubled over due to the strength of my mirth, beating the side of my leg in a haphazard effort to contain my amusement. “You havegotto be kidding me.”

“We wisely didn’t ask if she was crazy, but I promise you this much, Terry: we were all thinking it. What can you tell us about our charge? We have the basic dossier on her, but we’ve concluded that we only know what she’s allowed us to see.”

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