King Of Fools (The Shadow Game series, Book 2)
Page 51
The North Side was a kingdom conquered—she would take it back.
The Families and the Scarhands had fallen—she would rise.
If Levi believed the city had stolen Enne’s conscience, then so be it. For the first time since she’d come to New Reynes, Enne wasn’t merely playing to survive. She was playing to win.
And in order to do that, she needed to become what history feared most.
She needed to become queen.
EPILOGUE
Harrison Augustine was sworn into office with one hand on the Republic’s constitution, and the other over his heart—or, more specifically, over the pistol concealed in his breast pocket.
Hours later, he sipped a Snake Eyes and stared out his window at the City of Sin. It was late evening, and of course, like any compassionate politician, he’d canceled his victory party in light of the despicable and shocking assassination of his opponent.
It was unfortunate that Jonas Maccabees had been caught and hanged. There was no way to pardon the North Side now, as he’d planned. Harrison still had appearances to keep up after all.
Black smoke smothered the skyline of the North Side, and Harrison knew the city well enough to pinpoint the exact location of the fire: Luckluster Casino.
Harrison smiled to himself. He and Sophia had both gotten what they’d wanted. Vianca Augustine and Charles Torren were dead. Luckluster burned, and soon St. Morse would, too. Harrison had even won the election fairly, but slimly enough that he didn’t regret the fact that Worner Prescott now lay in a mausoleum, dead from Harrison’s own gun.
He didn’t like close calls.
But as much as Harrison wanted to celebrate, he wasn’t drinking this Snake Eyes to reward himself. He was drinking because he needed to think, and thinking about the House of Shadows was best done at least partially inebriated.
The bell on his door rang. Harrison startled—he wasn’t expecting anyone tonight. He downed the rest of his drink and answered it, raising his eyebrows when he saw who was waiting for him.
“I’m surprised you’re here,” Harrison told her. “I thought we were done with each other.”
“Not quite,” Sophia Torren answered, unrolling a piece of saltwater taffy.
“I was just admiring your work across the river.” He moved to let her in, and she took a seat on his living room sofa. She smelled of smoke and candy. “Where’s your partner?”
Something dark passed across her face. “You should lock the door,” she said flatly. Harrison pursed his lips, but he did as instructed. “I’m going to get right to the point—Luckluster is burning, and I have new plans.” She popped the taffy in her mouth.
“Not even going to congratulate me?” he asked.
“Does that really work on you? Flattery?” She met his gaze coolly.
“It depends on your request.”
Sophia leaned forward, and there was something about her eyes in that moment that made him uncomfortable. They looked familiar. “I know you’re more like your mother than you care to admit.”
“You must be feeling awfully lucky to walk into my home and say those words to me.” He smiled tightly. “I’m not even sure what you mean.”
“I’m assuming you heard about the Scar Lord’s last words,” she said.
Harrison nodded grimly. Everyone in the Republic had probably heard by now. It was why he’d been dwelling on the House of Shadows. First, Bryce Balfour had showcased his talent in a violent spectacle at St. Morse, and now one of the most notorious street lords of the North Side had been revealed as a Mizer.
His first day as a senator had been nothing short of disastrous.
“I know her,” she said. “I know Pup, their seconds...all of them. I could be a useful tool to have at your disposal.”
She studied him carefully, knowingly. Harrison had gone to great lengths to keep his secret. He’d burned and discarded every piece of his birthright.
Except one.
“I’m surprised Pup never noticed, after all that time spent with Scavenger,” she said. “I realized it at the execution. I was there, too. Jonas was waiting for you to help him.”
Harrison had learned from his mother’s mistakes not to get too attached. Jonas’s death inconvenienced him more than it upset him, even if Jonas had held out hope that he’d be saved. But Harrison had sent him to St. Morse to die.
“Clever,” he said quietly. “So what exactly do you want?”
“At least one of your omertas is now vacant, and I’m willing to make a trade.” Sophia stood up and held out her hand, but it wasn’t to shake. “I’ll be your chess piece.”
Never had Harrison seen someone offer themselves to him before. No one volunteered to be a victim. But now it had happened twice in three days, and the coincidence of it all made him suspicious.
He narrowed his eye. “And in exchange?”
Sophia tossed a golden Shadow Card on the table—the Lovers. Harrison recognized it immediately from the night before, but he couldn’t imagine how Sophia had obtained it. It wasn’t her card.
It was his.
“I want a key to the House of Shadows.”
* * * * *
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
My “girl gang” book, as I’ve grown to call it over the years, would not have been possible without the support of so many talented and wonderful people—many badass women included.
Thank you to Christine Lynn Herman—if I ever found myself wanted and on the run with two bodies in the trunk of my car, you are the person I’d want riding beside me.
To my agent, Brianne Johnson, who fought for me every step of this process, I am in awe of your savviness and grateful to count you in my crew.
To my editor, Lauren Smulski, who never batted an eyelash when I told her how long and complicated this book would be. Thank you for your faith in me.
To Meg Kohlmann, kissing scene editor extraordinaire. To Amanda Haas, fellow accounting mastermind. To Katy Rose Pool, tireless champion. And to all the other amazing women in the Cult: Melody Simpson, Akshaya Raman, Janella Angeles, Kat Cho, Claribel Ortega, Mara Fitzgerald, Erin Bay, Alexis Castellanos, and Tara Sim. You all inspire me as a creator and a person.
To Kaitlyn Sage Patterson, who has often felt like a partner in crime during this journey.
To Laura Gianino, Jennifer Abbots, Evan Brown, and the entire team at Inkyard for their work in making this series a success.
To the many other wonderful minds who have traveled with me into the world of New Reynes, including Zoe Sivak, Jena DeBois, Sarah Hudson, and Audrey Fae Dion.
To the OwlCrate team for placing Ace of Shades into the hands of such a vibrant, enthusiastic community of readers.
A special thank-you to the #ShadowGang for your incredible efforts to share this series with the world.
To my family and friends for always supporting my creative endeavors. To Jelly Bean, who contributed countless typos to this manuscript while walking across my keyboard. And to Ben, who patiently listens to me ramble about all my ideas, no matter the hour—I suppose I’ll finally let you read the book now.King of FoolsAmanda Foody
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