Twisted Metal Heart - Eve Langlais Page 0,47
him in the swamp said he put up quite the fight after they saved him from the river. Enough damage that he was arrested.”
“He’s in jail?”
“Of a sort. You did some fine work on Tin Man. He’s been unbeatable in the arena.”
Her lips pressed. “You’re using him as a fighter.”
“Yes.” The king didn’t deny it. “He’s quite good at it, too. We haven’t had a single criminal walk free since he started.”
An archaic system of justice that allowed those who’d committed crimes the chance to walk away. Win at the highest level and even the guilty could go free. Some people apparently did heinous things to try and be arrested in order to achieve that honor.
“How long have you had him?”
“Long enough to think he’s never going to leave. The man keeps winning, yet each time I offer him his freedom, he demands we lock him up again. As if he wants to be punished.”
Was he feeling guilty about something? “I need you to give him to me.”
“I can’t simply hand Tin Man over. He is a valuable asset.”
“You want payment for him.” She was dully well aware of just how much she didn’t have.
“The kingdom’s coffers could always use more treasure.” The king began the negotiations.
“My funds are limited at the moment.”
“But your skills aren’t,” he said bluntly.
“What do you want?”
She expected a demand for a weapon or something violent.
“A communication system so the outlying marsh villages and hamlets can contact the city.”
She eyed the king. “And what else?”
“That’s all I need.”
It seemed too easy. “Only a communication link? Why?”
“Because we lost an outpost and it took more than five days before we even knew. Five. Days.” His eyes burned, and it was then she noticed the cat on the desk, rubbing against the hand that was steepled on its surface.
She actually approved of his desire to communicate better. “I’ll build it and some portable units for your patrols. In return, you’ll give me Titan, a room to live in, food, and a stipend for extras.”
“Deal.”
“Don’t be so quick to agree. If the queen knows I am here, she will stop at nothing to get me back.”
“I am aware. I also don’t care. I don’t answer to the Emerald queen or anyone else. Do we have a deal?” The king held out his hand.
It took her a second before she slid hers in it for a solid shake. “Before I start work on that system, I want to speak with Titan and ensure his freedom.”
“Of course. I’ll arrange for Anita to take you to him right now.”
Right now? She looked down at her dirty self. “Actually, could I maybe get a chance to shower and eat first?” She didn’t want to see Titan like this. A vanity she apparently couldn’t forego.
“But of course, my lady. Anita will show you a room. Let her know when you’re ready to meet with the Tin Man. We’ll have him brought to you.”
“Don’t tell him he’s coming to see me,” she said to the king, who actually opened the door himself and beckoned the guard.
“I wouldn’t dream of telling him he’s being saved by the person he hates most.”
She winced. “He said that?”
“His exact words were, ‘I’m going to kill that Emerald cunt when I get out of here.’”
The words could be directed at the queen, but a part of her feared he still hated her. She couldn’t forget that look of betrayal on his face.
The fact he might hate her preyed on her the entire time she bathed and changed into clothes provided by the king. It was a pale green version of what Anita wore. The fabric on her skin was light and airy, she felt almost naked as she went to meet Titan.
The room chosen was some kind of relaxing parlor. A couple of chairs, a bare hearth. There was a painting on the wall of a strange city with tall buildings and brightly lit windows, so many cars on the street and a throng of people walking. An ancient city. The new ones tended to avoid polluting vehicles inside and resorted to moving walkways or, in more rustic cases, animals.
The large window overlooked a fast-flowing river. She saw nothing to break its surface, but many boats did skim across the top. In one direction only. She wondered if it somehow looped around. She’d check her drone footage later.
The door opened, and she turned to see him.
Titan was haggard, his face wan, and his cheeks gaunt. He wore a tunic