Gallows at Twilight Read Free Page B

also hideous, rude, stupid, and has the worst personal hygiene of any creature I’ve ever encountered, dark or otherwise. But don’t let any of that put you off. If it comes to a fight, you could do worse than have Brag Badderson in your corner.’
    Jake took in the troll’s massive arms and the great stone club that he bounced idly against his shoulder. Pandora was right: this guy was a definite asset to the team!
    ‘Hey!’ Brag shouted, shivering a shower of leaves from the trees. ‘I may be hideous, rude, deaf and … ’ He counted the insults off on his fingers. As he had only three on each hand the tally seemed to confuse him.
    ‘And putrid-smelling,’ Pandora said.
    ‘Yup, that too,’ Brag agreed, ‘but I ain’t dumb. You said I’d be getting paid for this little gig, Pand, so where’s the gold?’
    Pandora shot Adam a sheepish look. ‘I promised him gold. Thought the big idiot would forget.’
    ‘ “ You wanna cross a bridge, you gotta pay the troll ,” ’ Brag said solemnly. ‘That’s the Badderson family motto.’
    ‘Badderson, Badderson … ’ Adam clucked his tongue against the roof of his mouth. ‘Of course! Got it!’ He took the mobile phone from his pocket and dialled. While he waited for the call to connect, Adam winked at the confused forest troll. ‘Ah, hello? Yes, this is Dr Adam Harker speaking … Yes, it’s been a long time, hasn’t it? How are you? The wife? Good, good. And the other wife? Ah, ran away with a Bulgarian ogre—I’m sorry to hear that … How many kids now? My, you have been busy, Mr Badderson.’
    Brag, who had been cupping his ear and listening carefully, looked thunderstruck.
    ‘Yes, I’m fine, sir,’ Adam continued. ‘I’m just calling because I have your son here. I was telling him about the old days. You remember the time when I helped to smuggle your family out of Scandinavia during the troll-hunting season … ? Indeed, it was quite an adventure. Well, I was telling young Brag that I needed a favour, but he seemed quite reluctant to help out, and so I thought … Yes, he’s here.’ Adam held out the phone. ‘Daddy wants a word, Brag.’
    The troll gulped. He took the phone, which looked like a baby’s toy pinched between his formidable fingers.
    ‘Hi, Dad … Yeah, but … but the family motto … The family motto’s horse dung? That’s not what you say when you’ve had a few on Sammal’s Eve … No, please don’t put Mum on … OK, I will … Said I will, didn’t I? No, sir. Yes, sir. Yes, tell her I put a fresh pair on this mornin’ … Yeah, g’night, Dad.’ The troll returned the phone and looked down at his feet. ‘I’m very sorry, Dr Harker. My dad says I’m to do whatever you tell me and to keep my big, fat, ugly mouth shut.’
    Pandora slapped the troll playfully across the knee.
    ‘Well, that’s that sorted. Shall we get this show on the road? By the way, Brag, try to keep that great melon of yours below the trees—we’re not in the grounds yet, but we don’t want to warn them we’re coming.’
    The reinforced company struck out, moving ever deeper into the forest.
    Adam tried to keep his voice low but Jake heard him whisper to Pandora:
    ‘Is the troll all you could muster? I was hoping you could bring at least ten dark creatures with you. Maybe more. Loads of you fought against the Crowden Coven.’
    ‘Times have changed, honey. It ain’t just witches we’re facing these days. Rumours are spreading like wildfire among the dark creatures: something has been released from the demon realm—’
    ‘But he’s not here,’ Jake cut in. ‘Your contacts, Pandora, they said he’s abroad.’
    ‘Boarded a plane this mornin’,’ Pandora confirmed. ‘But when he gets back and finds out what we’ve done … Listen, even I thought twice about coming tonight.’
    ‘I guess we should be thankful for small mercies then,’ Adam muttered. ‘But just what is the Demon Father up to? Weeks have passed since he came through