Flashback ( PDFDrive )

She’d only seen trolls three times since she’d arrived in the Lost
Cities, and each time they’d been drastically different creatures.
At Kenric’s planting, the trolls had wet, grayish-green skin and
stood peacefully among the crowd in the Wanderling Woods. But in
someone’s memory, she’d watched a much larger, much more rabid
troll disembowel two human teenagers. And at the ogre Peace
Summit, she’d been introduced to Empress Pernille, who reminded
her of a tiny Muppet with a potbelly, fuzzy skin, and an upturned nose.
Apparently, trolls aged in reverse, which must explain the
discrepancies. But it didn’t make a whole lot of sense.
“It really won’t be as weird as you’re thinking,” Edaline promised.
“I’m pretty sure it’ll be worse. I mean . . . everyone’s barely gotten
used to Ro, and now I’m going to show up with a troll? How’s the
Council going to explain that? I thought they didn’t want people to
know I was attacked.”
“By the time you’re out in public with your new security team,
people will know that something happened. And Sandor will be
training the guards to keep a lower profile. They’re supposed to arrive
at Havenfield tomorrow. That way he’ll be able to organize them
before you get there.”
Sophie wasn’t sure what to say.
Edaline scooted closer. “I’m sure this feels like a lot—and it is. But
Sandor’s convinced it’s going to keep you safe. And I’ve never seen
him so determined. He’s checked every single thing you own for any
sign of trackers or ogre enzymes—and swept every inch of Havenfield
with reveldust. Good news: He didn’t find any traces of ethreium—or
any other ogre enzymes. Same goes for Magnate Leto’s sweep of
Foxfire.”