Page 37 of Shadow Master
His eyes blazed in anger. “I know about the bolg. I know they’re coming, and when they do, not even the mist will stop them.”
I froze.
“What did he say?” Hyde asked.
Bolg … fir bolg. The violet-eyed man had mentioned the fir bolg, and Henrich had concluded they were a faction of the fomorians. The army.
“Justice?” Hyde pressed.
“He said an army is coming, and not even the mist will stop them.”
“What does that mean?” Harmon demanded.
“Answer him?”
The creature deflated. “I don’t know. I overheard soldiers talking.”
I locked gazes with the creature. “Which way?”
He tore his gaze from mine and pointed northeast.
“Give me the lead, please.” I held my hand out to Hyde.
He passed me the leather strap that was attached to our reluctant guide. The creature looked up at me in fear as I wrapped the end around my hand.
“What’s your name?”
He blinked in surprise. “Name?”
“Yes, what do they call you?”
“Grunt … spy …” He looked at me warily.
He didn’t have a name. “What about your mother?”
He frowned. “No mother. I just am.”
“What’s he saying?”
It made no sense. “He says he doesn’t have a mother, that he just is.” What the hell did that even mean? “Pick a name.”
The creature’s eyes widened. “What?”
“Hurry up.”
His eyes flicked from side to side, and his fingers went to his mouth in agitation. “Valmik,” he said. “I am Valmik.” He grinned, showcasing two rows of small, pointy teeth that made me want to shudder.
“Fine. Valmik. Lead the way.”
He nodded and then burst forward, tugging on the leash and leading us northeast.
Brady. I’m on my way.
Fourteen
Twisted black trees, winding grooves of land that had probably once been filled with water, thistles and boulders and more dead land made up our journey. Harmon and Athos seemed to be in their element. They moved fast and easily, as if the fomorian air gave them extra energy.
I could feel it too.
