I leave the fae behind and head down through the tavern. The servant who brought us food watches me descend the stairs, giving me a snide look. Her eyes travel up to the second floor. No doubt she’s wondering if she now has a chance with him.

​

It’s a sign of how morose I am that I cannot even slap her with my magic.

​

Still, it flares in my palm, something I seem to have done easily with the fae but never could before. What else don’t I know about being a witch? It seems my grandmother was secretive about a great many things. That’s what I will focus on because I simply don’t know what I don’t know.

​

I don’t think I can return to the human world, not now after everything that’s happened.

​

But I do owe the troll for the fare. I wouldn’t feel right not paying. Plus, he delivered me into the hands of a male who treated me like a goddess for days. I don’t know exactly how to find the troll again, but I listen for the bustle of the main thoroughfare. I’ll head for the bridge and ask around for him.

​

When I turn off a side street and see the long row of shops leading up to the underground entrance, I breathe a sigh of relief. I keep my coins in a pocket inside my dress, lest anyone decide to try and take them from me.  I don’t know this underground world, but if it is anything like above, I’m target if I flash money about.

​

Around me, the street is abustle with all manner of monsters. The centaurs from before are still putting on a show, mounting women tied to giant horizontal pillars. This time, it doesn’t surprise me. If anything I want to know more about this entire place. 

​

Giant windowed pillars drip down from the underground’s roof and they appear to go on for miles. The entire cavern—although it seems too enormous to even call it that—is lit from end to end by the city nestled in its belly.

​

I make my way slowly up the street, peeking in a few shops although I don’t buy anything, not yet. When I finally arrive at the dark tunnel leading to the bridge, I glance around. Now to find the troll.

​

Shit. What if there’s another bridge?

​

“You’re back.” A deep voice surprises me as black eyes shine in the darkness of the tunnel. A huge figure steps out of a hole I couldn’t even see. It’s the troll, just as huge and imposing as ever. But this time, he smiles at me. It’s a kind smile, but a knowing one.

​

Suddenly, I’m very angry. Magic sparks between my fingers.

​

“You sold me,” I bark.

​

“Seemed to me you could do with a bit of fun, and you had it and got paid to boot. Am I not correct?” He shrugs as if to say, ‘what’s the problem’?

​

“It wasn’t your choice,” I grit. 

​

The handsome troll yawns and pulls a scroll out of his pocket, dropping it so that it unwinds down, down, down all the way to the ground. He points to the very bottom.

​

“Those who cannot pay the fare are remanded to me to do whatever the fuck I want to with them.” His tone is bored as he rolls the parchment back up. “You could say thank you, you know.”

​

“Thank you for not delivering me to a pack of wild dogs, I suppose.” I shrug to match him, but I can’t help the hint of a smile as he grins at me, flaring his nostrils. It is hard to be very angry with him. It all worked out in the end. Mostly.

​

So why do I feel heartbroken?

​

The troll cocks his head to the side and gives me a curious look.

​

“I could use an assistant, and I’m an excellent teacher. Would you have any desire to stay underground a while longer?”

Heady excitement nearly makes my head spin. “You’re a teacher of magic?”

​

“Among other things.” Muscular, green shoulders shrug for the hundredth time as pitch-black eyes bore into mine. “I sense you aren’t quite done here, little witch.”

​

I point a finger at him. “Long as when you say teacher you do mean magic and not troll bridge monitoring, because that is a skill I’ve no desire to pick up.”

​

He snorts out a laugh as he wags a finger back at me. “You’re funny. I like you. Follow me.” Then he disappears once more into the tunnel.

​

I glance behind me at the thriving city, but just as quickly turn my focus to follow the troll. My future isn’t back there.

It’s up ahead and it’s time for me to finally grab it and hang on.