Her lips twisted, "An undying Fae hound. He's guarded our borders for eternity."
"Sounds like a thankless job," I muttered.
"I don't expect one such as you to understand."
"What does that mean?"
Astrid drew herself up. "You're the daughter of a traitor. Take it any way you want."
"A daughter you're hoping to exploit," I pointed out.
Her eyes flared but before she could respond a noise came from the opposite end of the hallway.
Owen unholstered his ax, taking up a defensive stance in front of me as he faced the door to the hallway.
He inhaled, sucking in a huge gust of air and exhaling magic. He grew a foot, his muscles getting bigger and his skin taking on a grayish cast.
The gold runes painted on the visible portion of his chest and arms sparked, power running through them.
He stamped his foot, snorting like a bull ready to charge.
The Norse once had stories of berserkers, men who became so overcome with the spirit of battle they'd slay any in their path, foe or ally. Looking at Owen, I thought I saw where some of those stories came from.
Astrid glided toward me, one hand lifting to touch my chest. I scooted away from her and closer to the veil. I got the feeling her touch would not end well for me.
"Smart people listen to their instincts," she said before holding one finger up to her lips.
She flared, light fracturing around her like a super nova. When I could see again, Astrid was all but invisible except for a faint violet line around her body and a slight shimmer when she moved.
How did she do that?
I wish I knew. It would certainly come in handy during my job. I had a feeling that to others she would be invisible.
Her outline moved as she took her place beside the troll.
From the hall came the sound of metal dragging against stone. The person was still out of sight, but coming closer.
The sound stopped.
After an eternity, Nathan stepped into the doorway. Even covered in blood and carrying a sword dripping more of the same, he was a sight for sore eyes. He lifted a hand, licking some of the excess blood from his fingers.
I blinked.
He was alive.
I could hardly believe it.
"Yummy," he said, still licking the blood off his skin.
"How did you escape the oubliette?" Owen asked.
Nathan's head tilted. "Was that supposed to be hard?"
Owen's laugh held the sound of goliath's colliding. "You should have left this place while you had the chance."
"You have something of ours." His wink at me left no doubt what that was.
Owen stamped his foot again. "Then come and claim it, fool."
