That royalweagain. Shiloh finished her second cup of coffee, giving herself time to think. Shrugged. “I got vengeance for Atticus.”
“Was vengeance worth it?” the queen asked.
“Forgive me, My Queen, but why are you asking?”
“Since you were bitten by multiple werewolves, you’re faster, more nimble, more accurate, and less mentally stable, yet you’re controlled. Mostly. AsIonce said, like me, you’re a singularity.Ilike singularities.” The queen’s yellow eyes held her gaze.
Shiloh weighed the personalIas opposed to the royalwe.
The queen continued. Or maybe it was Jane talking now. Hard to tell.
“If you don’t shift, and if you maintain self-control for two more full moons, it’s doubtful you’ll shift into a werewolf.”
A weight slid from Shiloh.
“If so, we have a proposition for you.”
“I’m listening, my lady,” Shiloh said cautiously, interpreting the pronoun.
“We are in need of a…problem solver,” the queen said.
Koun said, “Those who break the queen’s law and are within her reach are my duty. Those who break the queen’s law but are out of reach still must be dealt with.”
Eli said, “She needs someone with a full year of specialized training in security systems, multiple fighting techniques, and magic to carry out the queen’s justice.”
“Someone like you,” the queen said. “Not in our livery. Not in our colors. No written orders.”
“An assassin,” Shiloh whispered. Magic razors hummed, interested.
“Call it what you will,” the queen said.
“Salary?” Shiloh asked Koun.
“All expenses, weapons, armor, a stipend, and bounties,” the Celtic warrior said.
Eli slid a folded paper across the table.
Shiloh opened it and read the number inside. The stipend wasenough to pay bills, contract with additional human donors, and buy her own home. Add in bounties, and she could fund a long undeath. She tucked the paper into a jacket pocket. “Specialized training?”
Eli said, “Your stipend will begin after two full moons, providing you sign the contract and survive, wolf-less.”
Shiloh stood. “I’ll take the gig. I’ll design my armor. And I’m not going furry.” She met the queen’s gaze. “Thank you, My Queen.”
The queen inclined her head. “You are dismissed.”
“You know that phrase annoys the hell outta me, right?”
“Oh yes.” The queen smiled, a happy human smile. “When it was used on me,Ihated it.You are dismissed.”
Shiloh walked out. The queen’s assassin was a pretty cool job title. Yeah. She’d takeit.
A Clean Break
An Alastair Stone Chronicles Story
R. L. King
Alastair Stone expected his motel room to be far below his usual standards.
