“You can come out now. I smelled you the moment you approached this side of town.”

I glanced at Alice, who scowled. She signed, one I knew to be her version of a shrug.

“If you don’t come out, I’ll come to you. And I cannot promise to be so gentle,” the man spoke again.

It stirred a memory, but not strongly enough to trigger one complete. Something about his voice sounded familiar.

My arm lowered, placing my axe to my side while I stepped past the corner. The man’s back was turned, but as I sniffed the air, the niggling at the back of my thoughts erupted. He turned around slowly, staring at me with glowing orange eyes.

You were a lot easier to find than I thought.

“Krulg, I believe,” I said.

“That is my name, not yours. But girl, reveal yourself and put down the axe.”

Alice joined my side, her grip firmly resting around the shaft of her weapon. “How could you smell us? There’s too many Grimms.”

He laughed. “Maybe for the inexperienced pups. I have spent too long hunting prey that blends in with the stones to have not trained my nose. I’d present my head on a platter if I were so incompetent. Especially when your scent is so distinctive.”

As he said his last lines, his eyes burned with orange light, the fiery red bristles of his mustache parting to reveal a fanged smile.

I had thought of a few ways to approach asking him questions. My first instinct was to lie and keep the cards close to my chest. But Elizabeth had warned me not to take him for a fool.

And while I didn’t know him more than what I had briefly seen before the trial, it was enough to give me a crumb to follow.

He’s a soldier, a loyal and fanatic soldier. Just tell the truth and twist it.

I slotted my axe back into my belt and forcefully relaxed my shoulders. The wind blew, and the bits of bone in his beard clacked together.

“Elizabeth told me you were the easiest to talk to. I have some questions.”

“As do I,” he replied.

He started walking away from the building and I reluctantly followed. Alice matched my step but let me take the lead. When he reached the spot where Hidigrim’s cart used to be, he crouched and ran two fingers through the dirt. He lifted it to his nose and breathed in.

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Before I could ask what he was doing, he opened wide and licked the dust from his skin with a tongue far longer than a human’s should be.

“Magic taints the ground. The worst of its kind.”

“What kind would that be?” I asked.

He didn’t turn around but stood up and dusted his beard free of invisible dirt. “The corrupted kind. A hex and a blight; one that twists the soul into something else.”

Considering the blackened gums and creepy witch vibes, I wouldn't be surprised.

“Do you know who did it?”

“No,” he answered. He stroked his beard and expertly weaved his fingers around the charms. As he stopped, he cocked his head and gave me a predatory smile. “But I’m sure you do.”

“And why do you think that?”

“I told you, didn’t I? My sense of smell is good. And underneath the bile and decay, there’s the sweet whisper of a crisp sour fruit. Like the one originating from around your neck. So why don’t you tell me? Just what kind of monster is suicidal enough to approach our haunt?”

The wind blew again, but the clacks of the bone charms were absent. Krulg stood there, a grin spread wide, but his muscles relaxed. If it was an intimidation tactic, it wasn’t that effective.

He watched my hand reach down my hoodie and pull the red crystal free. I slung it off and tossed it his way. He caught it and raised it toward the light.

There was a glow of mana that stretched from his fingertips that wrapped around the crystal. Whatever he did, the mana retracted and he sighed.

“Was expecting something fancy, but instead, it was mundane. Tell me, who gave this to you and why?”

“An old lady who knew about my predecessor. It was in exchange for listening to her instead of walking away.”

“The Elias boy?”

Alice didn’t react, and I nodded.

“Yes.”

Krulg tossed the necklace back. “And did you?”

“Did what?”

“Listen.”

“I did,” I admitted.

“Do you trust them?”

That was an easy answer.

“Not for a second. But they want me and that’s easy to exploit. Makes them predictable.”

Krulg laughed again. “Good. I was worried that you would be shaming us by being too much of a pup.”

It wasn’t certain who the ‘us’ he was talking about, but I had a guess.

Time to lean into the zealousness.

“I wouldn’t dare. Not to him.”

Faster than I could blink, far faster than my eyes allowed me to track, a warm hand slapped my shoulder and sent a wave of pressure throughout my body.

“Good, good! When I first saw you, I was worried about how much disrespect you showed our Prime. Glad to see Elizabeth was wrong about you!”

Alice jumped, axe at the ready but Krulg paid her no mind. He pounded my shoulder again, lighter but still enough to leave a bruise if I was fully mortal. I backed away slowly and put on a polite smile.

“My relationship with the Prime is… different. Confusing. It’s actually why I’m here. I was hoping you could help explain a few things.”

“Of course! There must be a lot of confusion, but it’s okay. I was too, at first. But before I answer anything,” he spun around, losing his smile. “Go back pup; you are not needed for this conversation.”

Alice’s mouth twitched and I stepped between them.

“I think she should be here for this. She has questions too, and the Prime is interested in her.”

“Truly? Hmm, I suppose that makes sense. You were his sister, no?” he asked, looking past me and addressing Alice.

Alice slowly lowered her weapon. “I am.”

“Very well. You may stay. But if I tell you to step away, you will. No questions asked. Am I clear?”

She nodded.

“Far better of an impression than what I thought initially. Good. Come, I find this setting boring. I’ve known nothing but stone for so long. Let us enjoy the sea while we talk!”

He marched away, leaving me struggling to contain a snarl.

Just keep walking Cain, just keep walking. He can’t be any worse than the rest.