“That is a very dangerous request,” he responded calmly, trying not to show her just how curious he was. “What do you have that is of such great worth that I would give up the witch’s prisoners?”

“Something one such as you could never imagine, ever even laying eyes on.” She paused dramatically before she spoke. “A stone of the Fae,” she finally said.

If Thurlok’s eyes were wide before, now Peri was certain they were going to pop out of his head. She was right to say that he would only ever dream of laying eyes on the stones, very few ever did, no matter the length of their lives.

Peri watched the troll closely. His thoughts flickered on his face. She could tell he was examining the situation from every angle, trying his best to determine if she was trying to trick him somehow. Her plan hinged on his lack of knowledge of the stones; very few understood how they actually worked, or the purpose behind them. She waited patiently, not wanting to appear too eager and stir Thurlok’s suspicion.

“Do you think he’s going to hurt himself thinking that hard?” Jen whispered, as she and the other females watched from the cover of foliage.

“It’s quite possible his head might explode,” Sally answered.

“That would suck, seeing as how we need him to let us into that hell,” Jacque added.

“Okay, can I just ask; is that what you thought a troll would look like?” Jen asked no one in particular as she watched Peri talk to the short male with dark skin, a tuft of white hair on his head and small pointed ears. His eyes were large and black, but his face was otherwise unremarkable. His nose was not large or small; his lips were neither plump nor thin. His body was bulky and he seemed to stand a little crooked. He wore brown pants with suspenders and no shirt. His chest was bare and his belly round and plump. He didn’t wear any shoes and didn’t seem bothered by the rough ground.

“What did you expect them to look like?” Crina asked.

Jen shrugged. “I don’t know. More troll-ish maybe.”

“Troll-ish?” Cynthia snorted, with her brow raised.

“Yeah, you know, less human,” Sally agreed.

“You guys watch too many movies,” Cynthia told them.

“You can only have so much sex you know,” remarked Jen, nonchalantly.

Jacque looked over at Jen and wiped a hand across her forehead, “Whew, so glad you said that. I was beginning to think that being pregnant might have curbed your pension for mentioning sex at the most inappropriate times.”

“I’m a little out of practice. Dec is my inspiration for inappropriate sexual comments. When we get him back I’m going to have to make sure to make up for lost time.”

“Well, we eagerly await all the witty comments that you are storing in thatwicked mind of yours,” said Alina.

And, though Jen couldn’t quite decide if the Alpha was being sarcastic or not, she added, “Never fear, I will not disappoint.”

“Of that we have no doubt,” Crina muttered with a sly smile.

As they continued to watch the stalled exchange between Peri and the troll, they all muttered a collective about time when the troll finally spoke up.

“You have a deal Perizada of the Fae.” Thurlok made a motion with his hand and suddenly a dagger appeared. He held out his left hand and sliced open his palm. A thick line of bright red blood oozed from the cut as he held out the dagger to Peri. She took the dagger and, without hesitation, sliced her own palm. She held out her hand to his and he took it in a firm handshake. As their hands clasped, Peri spoke clearly into the quiet forest.

“Blood of yours, blood of mine,

The truths I speak now entwined.

All we’ve said shall come to be,

Or death to you and death to me.

The ties that bind can’t be undone,

Not by many, not by one.

Fulfill this bargain from me to you,

Then it will be finished and finally through.

They both watched as the magic wrapped around their clutched hands, and then around them, digging deeply into their bodies. As suddenly as it had begun, it was over.

Peri stepped back and made a motion with her right hand. As if on cue, the other women emerged from the forest. Thurlok took a step back, but caught himself. Backing away from a predator only encouraged it to chase. The eight other females stood beside Peri and stared at him.

“Are you expecting me to do a trick or something?” He snapped at them.

“Now, now, Thurlok,” Peri crooned. “Play nice. The she-wolves and healers won’t hurt you.”

Someone cleared their throat and Peri glanced over at Elle who was staring at her.

“What?” Peri asked, shaking her head, her voice rising in exasperation. “I can’t guarantee what you will do. You pink haired fairies are always unpredictable.”

Jen started to speak, but stopped when Sally stepped around Peri, directly in front of the troll.

Peri laid a hand on Sally’s shoulder stopping her from speaking. She leaned forward and whispered into her ear.

“I know you are ready to get to your male, but it is never wise to offend the one who holds the cards.”

Sally’s shoulders stiffened, but she gave a curt nod to let Peri know she understood.

Peri motioned towards the bridge as she looked at Thurlok. “We’ve made our bargain troll. Open the veil.”

Thurlok spoke in an unusual language as he drew symbols in the air. His eyes closed as his voice rose and the air around him swirled.