She arches one eyebrow. “Is that so? I wouldn’t underestimate him. He may be young, but he’s an exceptional Decarios and a Talbot, which makes him very dangerous.”
“Oh, I’m aware,” I say, leaning back in my seat. “Yet, he’s not the only one. Trust me when I say his days are numbered. There’s a champion who’ll win against him. That’s all I can share.”
Madame Mercy looks skeptical, of course.
“I’ll be honest, Madame Mercy. I didn’t come here to simply chat, even though I miss seeing your stunning face every day,” I say smoothly. She doesn’t even blink at the compliment. “I came to ask for your help.”
“Ah, now he comes for help.”
“Yes, my lady. I hope you’ll be open to it.”
“What do you want?”
I clear my throat and sharpen my tongue. “Nothing fancy, nor complicated. You run this part of Kozem, am I right?”
She dips her chin slightly.
“All I would need from you is to ensure the streets are empty, all of your men standing by, all Caligos chased away so that only a couple of carriages could come in and out undisturbed. Tomorrow night.”
Madame Mercy looks me up and down, silent. Then she asks, “Is this going to help the said champion win against the Talbot heir?”
“Ah…no, my lady. It’s unrelated.”
Losing interest, she waves her hand in dismissal.
I don’t give up, of course.
“My lady, I hate to do this, but you owe me a favor, if I remember correctly.”
At that, she laughs. “Ah, came to collect so soon? You sure you want to wastemyfavor on some random thug job?”
“I’m most certain,” I say. From my pocket, I fish out the velvet bag of frade Vera gave me and hold it out for her. “And you will be generously compensated, too.”
Madame Mercy takes the bag from me, the weight heavy in her palm.
“You’re full of surprises, Jax.” After a pause, she adds, “So be it. You’ll have it. Tomorrow night, I’ll have my men guard the area that belongs to me so no Caligos are in the way of these said carriages.”
I rise to my feet, bow at my waist for her, and take her hand again. I press my lips to the back of her palm again, lingering just a moment longer than the last time, before I go.
Why did this woman choose to go by Madame Mercy? There’s nothing merciful about her. She’s sharp as a blade.
It must be the irony of it. She must love mocking the mercy itself.
Whatever her reasoning may be, her help is secured. Our rescue mission is on track.
CHAPTER SIXTY-FOUR
PHOENIX
“You should change,” Ri tells Vera the moment we enter her studio.
I glance at Vera, and her outfit. She wears her usual—the three-piece suit. This one is onyx black.
“I don’t think what I wear matters whether we save these kids or not,” Vera says.
Ri grunts. “It may not. But it matters whether or not you survive.”
Vera arches an eyebrow.
