The Phoenix Reckoning (The Phoenix Conspiracy Series Book 6) by Richard Sanders

were the primary threat to this operation. Walking between them and into the structure without any of them becoming alarmed or suspicious would mean overcoming a huge obstacle.
    Here goes nothing , thought Hadriana, as she stepped in between the guards, both of which were standing a bit too close for her comfort. They each gave her a fleeting glance, but neither seemed to think much of the situation. I guess this is how the guard change usually happens , she thought. Of course, if one of them had gotten suspicious, and had decided to remain quiet about it, she would never be able to tell, since these guards’ faces were just as hidden as her own. But she decided to have a little faith and trust that the plan was still proceeding well.
    They descended the ladders, level to level, in single file. At each level, Sergei ordered one of them to stand guard and directed him or her to the position they would be expected to be standing in, in case one of the surface guards came to patrol the lower levels, which was a frequent-enough occurrence that Sergei had briefed them on what to do should that happen. Hadriana worked her way through it in her mind one more time, even though her job was different than the others. Try not to talk. If you must speak, answer with yes or no. Remember your identity, if you forget, the name is painted over the left breast of the armored jacket. The less attention you draw to yourself, the better. Your job is to stand there, making things look like business as usual, nothing else. Don’t wander off, don’t go patrolling your level, just stand guard next to the ladder and remain there until I say otherwise . Those had been Sergei’s instructions.
    “You,” Sergei pointed, positioning Representative Baldwin to stand guard on the top level. The rest of them descended to the sixth, that level was given to Representative Ogden. The fifth went to Representative Easton. The fourth to Representative Taylor. The third belonged to Representative Blackmore. The second to Representative Brady. And finally they reached the bottom level. Normally, there would be a guard stationed here also, but Sergei decided he’d rather the four of them be in the room together, Sergei, Oliver—who was already there—and both Hadriana and Representative Taggart. Four against one, it should be a simple matter to overpower the king and incapacitate him. How exactly they were going to do that, Sergei had not explained. Hadriana simply trusted him that he knew what he was doing. All of their lives hung in the balance.
    The entrance to the king’s chamber was blocked by a sturdy looking metal door. It looked so heavy and thick that it could likely withstand a bomb, although Hadriana was no expert in such things. She simply couldn’t imagine that door giving way to anything. Well, anything other than the proper code sequence, which Sergei knew. He pressed several buttons on a keypad and then allowed the door’s sensors to scan both his fingerprints and his retinas. “Processing,” said a pre-recorded female voice. Then, apparently satisfied, there was a click and the door slid open, revealing a plush-looking apartment.
    “This way,” said Sergei, and the three of them stepped inside what appeared to be a living room. Neither Oliver nor the king was anywhere to be found. The furnishings were plush and no expense had been spared on the luxury. Of course, knowing Caerwyn Martel’s love of wealth, and of himself, Hadriana had expected nothing less. Still, it was likely the most extravagantly decorated bunker in the history of bunkers.
    Sergei led them to an adjoining conference room where voices could be heard. Hadriana recognized Caerwyn Martel’s voice as he berated Oliver on some minor aspect of the Empire’s finances. When Sergei led them into the room, which had a large table in the center, surrounded by several plush chairs—in two of which sat the king and Oliver—Caerwyn looked at them with raised