Page 40 of Shelf-Made Man
Several trolls also lurked in the corners, each of them armed with a heavy sword and looking as threatening as motionless beings could.
Snjokarl himself was unimpressive, standing beside the desk and wearing a neutral expression. Like Alfie, he was slender and delicately built, his hair tucked behind his pointed ears. He looked to be in his mid-twenties and was blandly handsome, although his lavender eyes were pretty. His tunic and hose were in muted browns and grays.
“You’re not one of mine,” he said to Tobias.
“I’m from the Kingdom of the Twisted River.”
“Hmm.” Snjokarl tilted his head quizzically. “How did you get him into your possession?”
“I found him. Heard you were searching for him.” Both of which were generally true statements.
“Wheredid you find him?”
Tobias was considering the best way to answer this, as well as the best way to get his hands on Snjokarl, who was well out of reach. Then Alfie spoke. “You are nothing but a coward who uses brutes to further your perversions. Let me go, you filthy bastard.”
Snjokarl completely ignored Alfie. “Well, where was he? And what sort of reward were you expecting?”
Again, Tobias didn’t know how to respond. “How much will you give me for him?”
“You’re not thinking you can negotiate with me, are you?” Snjokarl sighed. “You cannot walk out of here with him—a hundred trolls will stop you if I tell them to. But I’d prefer to avoid needless conflict. Would you like me to employ you? That would be suitable reward.” He waved a hand around, indicating all the guard trolls, as if they were a good example of the joys Tobias could expect.
Tobias hadn’t come in search of a job offer, and especially not a shitty one. If he accepted, however, maybe he could track down what had happened to Olve. Except that while he was busy doing so, Alfie would be subjected to torture, and there was no way Tobias would stand for that.
He really should have spent a little more time on this plan. Well, he couldn’t back out now.
“I want money,” he rumbled. “A lot of it.” He stomped closer to Snjokarl, who didn’t look at all alarmed. All of the trolls, however, reacted by raising their swords and moving closer.
“Did Queen Carola send you? What does she want?”
“Nobody sent me,” replied Tobias, who had no idea who Queen Carola was.
“Well, I don’t believe you’re in search of a monetary reward. I’ve never known a troll who cared much about wealth.”
That was mildly interesting because Tobias himself didn’t crave much money as long as he could live reasonably comfortably. But he’d always assumed he’d learned that attitude from his mother, who never had much interest in material goods. However, now wasn’t the time for a nature/nurture debate. “I don’t give a fuck what other trolls want. I want money.”
“You intrigue me. Hand the prisoner over to my guards and you and I can have a chat.”
The guards came closer and Tobias bared his teeth. “None of them are touching him.”
“Look. This is all quite amusing, but I have work to do, and the prisoner needs to be returned to where he belongs. He and I have some catching up to do.” Something glinted in Snjokarl’s eyes, and it wasn’t holiday cheer. Alfie shivered violently.
“Why do you want him so badly anyway?” Tobias demanded.
“What business is that of yours? I don’t need a reason, other than the fact that possessing him pleases me.”
Tobias wasn’t experienced in understanding elf psyches. If a human had been acting exactly like this, however, Tobias would have concluded that the guy was dangerous as hell and not of sound mind. A psychopath, maybe. There was no real reason to assume that elves were any different in this regard. It was clear, in any case, that Tobias wouldn’t be able to talk Snjokarl into abandoning Alfie.
And while Tobias was ruminating over this, the trolls inched closer. One word from their master and they’d undoubtedly attack. The only reason they hadn’t already was that Snjokarl would be angry if Alfie got sliced and diced, thereby depriving him of his toy.
Snjokarl smirked.
Rage descended on Tobias so suddenly and so fiercely, that it was as if he’d leapt into a fire. He literally saw red. Howdarethis insufferable prick harm Tobias’s beloved! And it wasn’t just Snjokarl he was furious at. It was all of the trolls. And, for that matter, every human who’d ever said cruel words to him because he was big and awkward and different.
Tobias bellowed and launched himself at Snjokarl.
It feltwonderfulto lay into that miserable excuse for an elf. To feel fists meet with flesh and to wrap handsaround that scrawny neck. To listen to his choked cries and see him jerk fruitlessly as he tried to get away. His eyes widened with terror, and that was good too.
The other trolls came at Tobias with swords raised, and Tobias didn’t even care. Let them kill him—at least he’d end Snjokarl first. He’d tear him to pieces. He’d gouge out his eyes and bite out his throat and?—
