*That was easier than I thought it would be.*

  Big Bad secured the leather-wrapped package in his saddlebag, his fingers checking the knots twice out of habit. Behind them, the compound was quiet—guards knocked out and tied up, the troll dead in a pool of his own blood by the east gate. The three Billy Goat Gruff brothers were still at their business meeting three towns over, completely unaware they'd been robbed.

  *If it wasn't for Red casing this pce out, it could've been a lot worse.*

  Amazing what a pretty face and a nice ass could do to the male mind. Three days inside that compound pying a prostitute, and Roslyn had gotten them everything—guard rotations, building yout, patrol schedules, the location of the package. Perfect intel. The troll had been a problem and had to be put down, but the guards were just knocked out. No reason to make more bodies than necessary.

  If all three Gruff brothers had been there with Grimrok, it would've been a bloodbath. But with just the troll and regur guards? Manageable.

  "Mount up!" Robin Hood called out, swinging onto his horse. Blood speckled his green cloak—none of it his. "We need to hit the border before sunrise."

  The Merry Men moved with efficient precision. Little John was grumbling about the troll throwing a barrel at him during the fight. Will Scarlet was already mounted. The rest of the crew fell into formation.

  Big Bad pulled himself into his saddle, his enhanced hearing picking up movement to his left.

  Roslyn emerged from the tree line in her regur riding gear, her signature red hood pulled up over her dark hair. The prostitute costume was gone, makeup scrubbed off. Red, the operative, had returned.

  She swung onto her horse and guided it alongside his. "Guard captain's going to wake up in about an hour with a hell of a headache and some very confusing memories. The others won't be up for another two."

  "Plenty of time." Big Bad looked at Robin, who was already organizing the formation. "We should—"

  His pocket started glowing.

  Soft blue light pulsed through the fabric. Big Bad reached in and pulled out the magic mirror—small enough to fit in his palm, smooth gss set in a silver frame. In this world, you either used technology like cell phones or magic like these mirrors, depending on which kingdom you were in. The surface rippled like water, then cleared.

  Rapunzel.

  Her sharp eyes looked out from her workshop, shelves of herbs and potions visible behind her. "Big Bad. I need your help."

  The crew went quiet, listening.

  "Rapunzel," Big Bad said, his tone dry. "Always a pleasure. We're doing well, thanks for asking."

  Her lips twitched. "Good to hear. But I have a situation that requires The Hoods' particur skill set. The kind that pays very well. And the kind where I'm calling in a favor."

  The Hoods owed Rapunzel. She'd saved their asses more than once.

  "We're listening," Big Bad said.

  "I can't give details over the mirror—this needs to be face to face. Can you come to my shop after your current delivery?"

  "We're heading to Addin's kingdom now," Robin said, leaning in. "Delivery should be complete by tomorrow evening. We can be at your pce the morning after."

  "Perfect." Rapunzel's gaze settled on Roslyn. "Roslyn, you're going to enjoy this one."

  Roslyn raised an eyebrow. "What kind of job needs a spy specifically?"

  "The kind that involves Jack. And the kind that requires someone who understands what it's like to be underestimated by powerful men."

  Big Bad saw Roslyn's expression shift—interest mixed with something harder.

  "We'll be there," Big Bad said. "Two days. Your shop."

  "Good." Rapunzel's eyes met his through the gss. "Big Bad... this one's complicated. But it's important. And it pays enough to keep you all comfortable for a year."

  A year's worth of pay for one job. That meant it was either extremely dangerous, extremely illegal, or both.

  Big Bad allowed himself a slight smile—the kind that showed teeth. "My favorite kind of complicated."

  "I thought it might be." The mirror flickered. "Two days. Don't be te."

  The gss went dark.

  Big Bad slipped the mirror back into his pocket and looked at his team. Robin was already calcuting. Roslyn looked intrigued but cautious. The Merry Men were exchanging gnces.

  "Thoughts?" Robin asked.

  "Rapunzel doesn't call unless it's serious," Big Bad said. "And she specifically wants Red there. That means infiltration, intelligence gathering, probably another undercover role."

  "Three days as a prostitute was enough for this month," Roslyn said, though there was humor in her voice. "But for a year's pay? I'm listening."

  "Whatever it is, it's big," Robin said. He straightened in his saddle. "But that's two days from now. Right now, we deliver this package, collect our payment, and get some rest." He looked at the crew. "We ride hard for the border. I want to be in Addin's territory before those goats arrive back and realize they've been robbed."

  The Hoods moved as one, horses shifting to a steady canter. The mountain pass opened ahead, leading toward the valley and the border separating the Gruff brothers' independent fiefdom from Addin's kingdom.

  The three Billy Goat Gruff brothers ran their criminal operation with their business partner Grimrok, carving out their own territory in the mountains just outside any major kingdom's w. They'd stolen a royal artifact from Addin's vault—something with significant magical properties. Addin couldn't send his military after it without causing a political incident. The Gruff operation was in neutral territory, and a military incursion would give other kingdoms ammunition to accuse him of expansion.

  So he'd hired The Hoods instead. Bck ops. Deniable. Professional.

  Big Bad kept one hand on his saddlebag, feeling the weight of the recovered package. In his pocket, the magic mirror sat dormant.

  A year's pay for one job. Whatever Rapunzel needed, it was going to be interesting.

  Beside him, Roslyn rode in focused silence, her red hood pulled up. Robin was coordinating the Merry Men for the fastest route.

  Red gathered intelligence. Big Bad built the strategy. Robin executed with precision.

  That's what made The Hoods the best.