The Troll King’s scowl deepened, his obsidian eyes narrowing as he focused on Kara. He took a step closer, his staff thudding against the ground with each movement, the crystal at its tip pulsing faintly. The trolls around him stepped back, their heads bowing slightly, and Wadim couldn’t help but note the deference they showed their king. He was trying to remember, digging through the deep recesses of his cobweb-covered memories, if he’d ever read about the trolls having a hierarchy. It made sense that they would, but now he had to wonder how a ruler was selected. Was it simply the strongest, most dominant of the bunch, like wolves, or was it a birthright? He couldn’t wait to tell Fane about this. And anyone else who would listen, which admittedly wasn’t very many people. Thankfully, his Zara was an excellent listener and seemed to enjoy it when he got excited about history stuff.
“You are bold, little human,” the Troll King rumbled, his voice like an avalanche echoing through the cavern. “Bold … or foolish.”
Kara tilted her head, her lips curving into a nervous smile. “Well, I like to think it’s a mix of both. Keeps things interesting.”
Nick groaned audibly from his cage. “Kara, were you dropped on your head as a baby?”
But his mate ignored him, her gaze locked on the Troll King. “I mean, if you think about it, Your Majesty—can I call you that? Or do you prefer something else? Anyway, if you think about it, being bold is kind of a compliment. It means I’m not afraid of you.” She quickly waved a hand as her head shook frantically from side to side. “Not that I’mnotafraid of you. I mean, well, you’re gigantic, and I’m not. So, in the natural order of survival of the fittest, it would definitely make sense for you to survive and me to not, and therefore, logically, I should be afraid. And holy bat crap, I sound like Jewel, and now I’m sad but also a little happy because she rubbed off on me, and Jewel was brave,” she finished as if she’d simply run out of breath.
The Troll King’s lips twitched, and for a moment, Wadim thought he might actually smile. But then his expression darkened, and he leaned down, bringing his massive face level with Kara’s. Apparently his breath was warm and foul, a mix of earth and decay, and that made her nose wrinkle.
“You are correct. You should be afraid.” His voice was low and menacing. “Do you know what we do to intruders in our realm?”
Kara blinked up at him, her hands wringing nervously in her lap. “I’m guessing it’s not a welcome party with cake and balloons?”
Nick banged his head against the bars of his own cage. “Winner-winner, chicken dinner,” he muttered, more to himself than anyone else.
“Slow your roll, Maple Leaf.” Wadim crossed his arms. “Our females are good at charming people. And she’s a whole hell of a lot more pleasant than you.”
“Did you seriously just address me as a plant based on where I’m from?” Nick looked at Wadim through narrowed eyes.
Wadim got the distinct feeling that the Canada beta now found him to be less tolerable than even his mate at the moment. Which made sense, really. Kara could drive him absolutely crazy right now, then bat her eyes at Nick and rub up against him like Zara did Wadim, and all would be forgiven. Females had entirely too much power, he decided.
The Troll King straightened, his eyes scanning the three of them. His gaze lingered on Nick, then on Wadim, then went to Gavril, Rachel, and Aphid, and finally returned to Kara. “You amuse me.”
“There,” Wadim said quickly, “see, she amuses him. That’s more than you could probably do.”
The Troll King continued, not sparing Wadim a glance. “But amusement will not save you. You are trespassers in my realm.”
“And there it is,” Nick retorted, cutting his eyes to Wadim, before looking back at the troll. “We didn’t exactly plan a vacation here,” Nick snapped, his wolf obviously beginning to push for dominance. He’d crouched down at the front of his cage, his glowing eyes fixed on the Troll King. “We came for a reason, on behalf of the alpha Fane Lupei.”
The Troll King’s gaze shifted to Nick, and his lips curled into a sneer. “You dare speak to me with such disrespect, Wolf?” He sniffed, like an animal would and added, “And you’re not even an alpha. You’re a peasant speaking to royalty.”
Nick bared his teeth, which had lengthened to wolf fangs. “Yeah, I dare. What are you going to do about it? Throw me in a cage? Oh wait, you already did.”
Gavril let out a low growl. Perhaps his patience, which seemed endless, was wearing thin.
Wadim sighed heavily, running a hand down his face. “Nick, maybe don’t antagonize the giant, magical Troll King? You were doing well there for a moment with the whole ‘we come in peace, can we talk like civilized beings.’”
“And he was worried aboutmegetting us killed,” Kara added.
Nick shot him a glare. “Neitherof you have been exactly helpful. Kara.” He looked at the healer. “You’re comparing them to fictional characters as if they can’t do us any harm, and you”—he pointed at Wadim—“have been ogling them like they’re a historical artifact.”
“Theyarea historical artifact,” Wadim said defensively. “Do you have any idea how rare it is to encounter an entire troll society that’s been isolated for centuries? This is an unprecedented opportunity to?—”
“To die,” Nick interrupted. “It’s an opportunity to die.”
“I think somebody is starting to lose their cool,” Zara muttered. “Not pointing any fingers or naming any names, cough, Nick. But maybe we need a chill pill.”
Wadim couldn’t disagree with his mate, but he had a feeling two things were seriously fueling Nick’s temper. One, worry for his mate. Their males were protective in normal circumstances, but throw in a pregnant mate, and they got downright pissy. And he imagined Nick was also worried that he wouldn’t be able to keep them all safe. Even with Gavril there, Nick, as a beta, would feel responsible for their entire group. Maybe he wasn’t an alpha, but he was dominant enough that he would consider it his responsibility to ensure they made it out of this situation alive.
“Enough!” The Troll King’s voice boomed through the cavern, silencing them all. He turned his attention back to Kara, his expression unreadable. “You.” He pointed a thick, gnarled finger at her. “You will explain why you are here.”
Kara opened her mouth, then closed it, clearly scrambling for a response. “Uh … well, like Nick said, we come in peace. We were sort of … well, that’s to say that, well, to be frank, all hell is breaking loose in the human realm, and we need the help of any and every supernatural who doesn’t want to become extinct. We didn’t come because we wanted to intrude or be a nuisance. We don’t want to get eaten. That’s very important.”
The Troll King stared at her for a long moment, his black eyes unblinking. “We need to search them. See if they carry any magic.” It was almost as if Kara hadn’t just told him that things were falling apart and it would affect all of them.
The smaller troll, the one with the bright orange hair and sly smile, stepped forward eagerly. “Can I searchesher,Your Majesty?” He rubbed his hands together, his sharp teeth glinting as he eyed Kara.
