Page 46 of Choosing Jenny
“It is a risk. I know.” Deacon’s jaw tightened. “But Justice rarely leaves the palace anymore, so we must strike where he is, not wait for him to be conveniently out in the open.”
“The city is not prone to random riots, Deacon,” Longshot said, drumming his fingers on the table as he thought things through. “Do you have the timing down? Pairing it with some trigger event that will make the riot seem innocuous at the start.”
He nodded. “After the championship match of the gladiatorial games next month. At first, it will seem like a group of unlucky gamblers enraged over their losses on the game. That is what will keep them from understanding our riot is an army in plain sight.”
But I still wasn’t convinced. “Still far too many casualties. I cannot believe someone like you would allow such loss of life.”
He swallowed hard, and for a moment, I thought he might vomit. “I do not like what I must do, Malice. I am not the sort of man who revels in bloodshed. But there is no other way.”
Longshot disagreed. “Actually, there is a much simpler way, Deacon.”
The other man’s gaze shifted to Longshot. “If you have another way, do please share it. Any other option would be most welcome.”
“What if someone close to Justice were to take him out?” Longshot suggested.
The room fell silent. Deacon looked to Jac, whose head tipped to the side as he thought about that before responding. “In theory, that could work, but they would have to be suicidal.”
Longshot shrugged. “I have lived a long life. I will do it.”
The room exploded in noise. Objections from every direction, even Jac himself. But I was silent as I looked my friend in the eye. He was much more than my friend. He was my brother in so many ways. Hearing him say such a thing was a dagger to my heart.
When the words died down, I growled, “You cannot be serious.”
“I am but one man. I have no family—”
“You haveme,” I spat.
“Andme,” Discord said, her voice choked.
“And Surge and me and Tiger,” Jenny added, her tone frantic. “You can’t do this to us!”
Longshot’s eyes crinkled at the corners. “I am honored that you would include me, Jenny. But understand, I meant I have no heirs. I am no one’s heir. I don’t—”
“What about Rhonda!” she burst out, her voice cracking.
He sighed, but didn’t look the least bit detoured. “What about the thousands of Rhondas and Tigers and Surges, and all the rest who live in Ladrille? Without a successful assassination, an attack on the city is the only other way to eliminate the threat of Justice Bateen. Deacon is right about that. There are thousands of innocent people in that city who do not deserve to suffer through such an attack. If I can prevent all of that suffering, then I have a duty to do so. I am but one man.”
“No, out of the question,” she said sharply. “You are too important to be the one to do this, Longshot.”
“And you are too sentimental to see the math clearly, Jenny.”
“I happen to believe I am the clear-headed one right now,” she countered. “Think about it. If you kill Justice, particularly in the palace, then won’t it be easy for Noc Prisberd to just pull his ghost from his body and put it in another one, like he did for Rex? You would be sacrificing yourself for nothing!”
“Which is why we must kill Noc first,” Longshot said calmly.
She threw her hands in the air. “We don’t even know how! He’s the most powerful magician around! Do you think you can kill Noc and Justice in under a month, when we don’t even know how to kill Noc in the first place?”
“You do not know my history, Jenny.” Longshot’s eyes darkened. “You do not know how good I am at killing, and what I am capable of. I will complete this mission, even if it is my last.”
Deacon spoke with quiet gravity. “If you mean this, we will do anything we can to help. We are at your disposal.”
Longshot merely inclined his head. “Thank you.”
“This is insane!” Jenny went on, her panic and fear palpable. “You’re all insane!”
Sarah held up her hand and instant silence descended over the room. It was peculiar—because those who had been speaking still tried to speak for a moment, but nothing came out of their mouths. It was if she’d somehow cut off their ability to talk.
“What if Surge could capture Justice’s ghost before Noc can?” she suggested.
