That was what Theo had been worried about.
“So we just wait here?” Steve asked with a huff. “I’m hungry. My mom is really going to be worried about me.”
Theo shrugged. He was inclined to trust his gargoyle friend’s judgment. “You can go ahead, especially if you know another way.”
“To go around would take days. Days!” Steve whined.
“Then I guess we just sit here and wait,” Theo responded.
Steve stomped off but that wasn’t really Theo’s concern. There was something about the kid that just bothered Theo. Theo couldn’t put his finger on what was wrong, just that something else was going on with Steve.
Garrett continued to pet the vines entwined with the moss, sticks, and stones of the bridge.
Walking over to the side, Theo peered over the edge down into the water. He’d seen creeks before but this water was moving too rapidly to not have some source of energy powering it. Magic possibly. That was Theo’s guess anyway.
He hopped up onto the edge of the bridge, dangling his feet.
Magic.
This realm was brimming with magic. Both good and bad. Fae creatures were tricky things that lived by their own rules. That was a direct quote that Theo recalled from Tate’s writing.
The water of the fae was much different than that in the human realm. Theo wasn’t even certain if it was safe so he was taking no chances. He’d love a drink. Food would be nice too. It wasn’t like Theo wasn’t used to being hungry and thirsty. It wouldn’t be long until his mates found him.
Theo just needed to survive in the meantime.
A loud rumble had Theo scrambling up and back to where Garrett still stood. The water under the bridge began to bubble before parting as something rose from the depths.
“What is it, friend Theo?” Garrett questioned in his low voice.
“I don’t know.” Theo grabbed hold of Garrett’s arm, digging his fingers deep. The last time Theo had been faced with something like this, he was being summoned into this strange world.
Maybe his mates were summoning him back?
That would be amazing!
And Theo was not letting go of Garrett. Theo dragged him into this and if they were rescued, then Garrett came with him. He would never leave his dear friend behind.
Instead of the ground disappearing under his feet again, something was coming out of the water.
“I think that’s the troll,” Theo whispered to Garrett.
In his mind, Theo had been picturing the ogre from that movie with the donkey. Shrek. This was no Shrek.
The troll was big all right. Much bigger than Theo of course and even Garrett. Like two Garretts. The troll had to be over ten feet tall.
Theo stared as the troll squinted at them with hands on hips.
“Who are you?” the troll demanded.
“Hello.” Theo cleared his throat. “Is this your bridge?”
The troll pushed out his massive chest. He wore a green shirt that was ripped on the sides and brown shorts that might have been pants at one time. The clothing was ratty and torn. “It is my bridge,” the troll claimed.
“We are requesting passage over,” Theo requested.
The troll crossed his arms. “What do you have to offer in return for your safe passage?”
This was going to be a problem. He didn’t have anything to offer. It wasn’t like Theo planned to make this little trip. “I don’t have anything to offer in exchange.”
