Iron Night Read Free Page A

very comfortable this month.” Brynja’s big eyes almost closed, leaving two long, glowing slits watching us out of the darkness.
    â€œAnd have those humans who live and travel around you also been comfortable?” Under the extreme politeness in Chivalry’s tone was something very sharp, and the troll dropped its mouth open very wide and made that rough rock sound again, which I was starting to guess was its version of laughter. Its eyes rounded out again, the glow as brilliant as what was coming from the bridge.
    â€œYou have so little trust in my family, Chivalry,” the troll said, sounding amused. “
Nei
, we have not been naughty, as you fear. The little goats keep us quite full, and we are content to watch the birds and the waves and the boats that pass us by.”
    â€œI am glad to hear that. I have brought this month’s goats.”
    â€œ
Ja
, we smelled them as you arrived.” The troll’s voice dropped even further, becoming hungry and possessive. “We smelled their hot blood, their fat little bodies; felt their tame, content little minds.
Ja
, we are always pleased when you visit our home, vampire.” Those big eyes shifted then and focused on me. The troll’s voice changed again, becoming almost curious. “But not alone this time.
Kva er dette
? Not in half a century have you brought someone down to us.” Ten feet from us, closer to the shore, another pair of glowing green eyes suddenly appeared. Then another, huddled among the rocks.
    â€œThis is my brother, Fortitude,” Chivalry said, dropping a hand on my shoulder. I was glad he did it, because I’d just glanced at the underside of the bridge and seen a sea of those glowing eyes staring down from the metal trusses. It was not a comforting sight.
    â€œAhhhh . . .” The troll’s sigh was grinding on my eardrum. “Another son of Madeline Scott. But very young,
very
young. He does not smell as you do, Chivalry.” The green eyes drifted closer, and that large mouth was working, and I could hear a low sound like bellows being pumped at an old-fashioned forge. I realized that it was tasting my scent, bringing the air to sample in that massive maw. “He smells more human, this one. Smells like fear.”
    â€œYour fealty to him is equal to what you owe me,” Chivalry said, and now his voice was complete steel. His hand still gripping my shoulder, he took a step forward, toward Brynja, and dragged me along for the ride. Immediately the troll backed up, and around us those other glowing eyes disappeared, leaving only Brynja. Chivalry continued pulling me forward, advancing on the troll, who kept moving backward. “My brother will be delivering next month’s goats without me, and the next.” That was certainly news to me, but I didn’t let it show on my face. “But”—and Chivalry’s voice became silky here—“if my brother is not treated with the same respect I receive, I would become quite angry. As would my sister. Perhaps Prudence would feel the need to express her displeasure in person.”
    â€œ
Nei
,
nei
,” the troll said immediately, ducking down and lowering himself almost to the ground, judging by those glowing eyes. “
Unnskyld
. My apologies. There will be no insults to your brother. No need for your sister to trouble herself with us.”
    â€œI’m glad to hear that,” Chivalry said coldly. “My brother will see you next month, and we will both be keeping an eye on your activities. Enjoy the goats, Brynja.”
    All the eyes opened again, and there was a chorus of whispering, grinding voices all around us in the darkness. “
Takk for maten
, Chivalry.
Takk for maten
, Fortitude, brother of Chivalry, son of Madeline Scott.
Takk for maten
.”
    Chivalry’s arm propelled me as we turned around and headed back up the path. It was extremely creepy to turn my back on all those