“It would start with us taking you back to New York,” she said, nodding to the black sedan parked beside the restaurant. “I couldn’t bring them with me into Heartstriker territory, but I’ve got a full convoy and a jet on standby just across the border. All you have to do is say the word, and we’ll be gone before Bethesda knows it.”
“And when we arrive in New York, you’ll be working out of my own private lab,” Sir Myron added proudly. “I’ve spared no expense to make it the finest magical facility in the world. You’ll have access to my books, my mages, all my research—public and security rated—whatever you need to figure out how to take the next step.”
“Anything?” Marci asked, trying not to drool at the idea of getting to run rampant through a UN-sponsored magical lab.
“Anything,” Sir Myron repeated firmly. “This is an unprecedented research opportunity for me as well. Potential weaponization of the Merlin aside, you could be the key to rediscovering knowledge that has been lost to humanity for a thousand years. Even if you fail, just think of how much we’ll learn from interacting with anactualMortal Spirit.”
By the time he finished, Marci was shaking. Of all the bait they could have offered, that was one hell of a start. Forget having her own casting room. She’d have her own multi-million-dollar research facility!Withstaff! AndtheSir Myron Rollins to help her! Just thinking about it was painfully exciting, and oddly enough, that was what stopped Marci from shoutingYes!Because if there was one thing she’d learned growing up in Las Vegas, it was a deep mistrust of anything that seemed too good to be true.
“What’s the catch?”
“There is no catch,” General Jackson said. “We’re talking about a fundamental improvement to the magical combat capability of the entire human race. That’s not something I cheap out on.”
“But what about all the stuff that’s not money?” Marci asked. “You said this would be protective custody, but how much custody are we talking? Could I leave if I wanted?”
“You would be free to do whatever you liked,” the general said, clearly insulted. “We’re not jailers. Given your strategic importance, you’d be subject to certain security necessities—bodyguards, a warded residence, that type of thing—but I don’t think that’s unreasonable.”
Marci would see about that. “Would I be able to see Julius?”
The general and the undersecretary exchanged a look.
“As the first and currentlyonlypotential Merlin, allowing the dragons to continue to have unfettered access to you would put our entire operation at risk,” Sir Myron explained patiently. “Having met Julius myself, I understand that your relationship with him isn’t the usual sort, but while he appears to be an uncommonly reasonable one, he’s still a dragon. He’s also not alone. He’s got a whole mountain to look after now, and your status as a potential Merlin makes you a vital strategic asset.” He glanced out the window toward the enormous black thorn of Heartstriker Mountain rising in the distance. “I’d wager that the only reason you were allowed to come meet with us today is because the dragons do not yet know what you are. Once they discover the truth, they will not be so slack.”
“They’ll lock you down,” General Jackson agreed. “Maybe not Julius—I also met him, and I agree he’s very different from his kin—but the others? Absolutely. Even if he fought for you, your dragon would be impossibly outnumbered, and eventually you would be captured. So with that in mind, Miss Novalli, my question becomes, which would you rather be? A treasure in the Heartstriker’s horde, or the key to possibly unlocking the full potential of human magic once again?”
Marci’s jaw clenched. The general was much smoother about it than Amelia had been, but this was still a pitch Marci had heard before, and once again, she wasn’t buying. Besides...
“What makes you think I’d be safer in New York than I am here? You’ve already admitted you can’t take Algonquin, but the Heartstrikers have got that covered thanks to their deal with Svena. Frankly, this mountain is the safest place I can be right now, and since one of the three dragons on the Council is pretty much my boyfriendandI’m BFFs with Amelia the Planeswalker, I don’t see myself becoming a treasury item anytime soon. But before the two of you freak out at me and call me a traitor to humanity, know that I really do want to help. I want to expand magic and push the boundaries and rediscover what we’ve lost. We’re on the same side here, so before you start telling me where I have to go and who I can and can’t see, let me makeyouan offer.”
Sir Myron seemed to be having trouble keeping the look of blatant skepticism off his face. “You?” he said at last. “What canyouofferus?”
“How about a leg up on all that magical knowledge you were just complaining about losing?” Marci said with a smug grin. “I don’t know if you know, but Amelia the Planeswalker has been collecting human magical texts pretty much forever. She still has them all, too. Her entire collection is safe and intact on her secret island in the South Pacific, and I can get you in.”
By the time she finished, Sir Myron didn’t look skeptical anymore. He looked hungry, practically drooling on the table. “How?”
“Because Amelia’s my friend,” Marci said confidently. “And she owes me big time. So how about we make a deal? You let me keep on doing whatever it is I want to do with whomever I want to do it with, and I’ll work with you on this Merlin problem. If we pool all of our resources together, it has to be enough to learn something. But this only works if we all trust and respect each other, and I’m telling you right now: I’m not leaving this mountain until the vote is over. After that, I’m cool. Amelia can portal us right to her island, and we’ll get straight to work. But I will not abandon Julius to face his family alone until I’m sure he’s going to be okay, and I will not accept any deal where I’m treated like a prisoner and kept from my friends and allies, whatever species they happen to be.”
“Done,” the general said immediately.
The sudden agreement made everyone jump, even Raven.
“You sure?” Marci asked. “I mean, that was kind of fast.”
“Too fast,” Sir Myron agreed, glaring at his partner. “Shouldn’t we—”
“No,” she said, glaring right back. “Obviously I have security concerns about letting dragons near a potential Merlin, but I’m a soldier, not a tyrant. I’m not in the business of forcing people to act against their will, and I’m definitely not in a position to turn down an offer of access to the Planeswalker’s private hoard.” She turned back to Marci. “Your Julius seems to be going through a very dangerous time with his recent rise to the top. If you want to stay here and help him, I respect that and am happy to work with you. All I ask is that you allow Myron and I to remain with you as well.”
“Here in the mountain?” Marci asked, still not believing. “Just the two of you? You don’t want a security detail or—”
“Would you let me bring a security detail?” the general asked immediately.
Marci thought about that for a moment. “I don’t think there’d be room for one, actually. The mountain’s kind of full.”
“Then we’ll go without one,” General Jackson said with a shrug. “All that matters is that you stay safe and free to work with us. So long as those goals are met, I’m happy to do this anywhere you choose.”
“Really?” Marci said. “Not that I’m complaining. It’s just…that’s surprisingly reasonable of you.”
“What else could I be?” the general asked, staring her straight in the eyes. “You’re a potential Merlin who’s arrived fifty years ahead of schedule. You and your spirit represent a once-in-a-lifetime chance to improve the lives and security of billions of people. That’s not something I’m willing to risk foranyreason. Obviously I’d prefer if you were safe inside our facility in New York, but if the price of your cooperation is staying here, then we stay here. I don’t care if I have to follow you around and act as your lady’s maid while bowing to dragons. I’ll do whatever it takes to improve humanity’s chances against the monsters who would stomp us down.”
