Flashback ( PDFDrive )

She backed up, putting more space between herself and Fitz. “If you
were wondering what it’s like having so many different bodyguards,
that about sums it up.”
“I guess,” he mumbled. “Not that it’s much more normal around
here.”
He pointed to the shadows of a nearby tree, and Grizel seemed to
melt out of the darkness, followed by five other goblin warriors.
“The ogre is right,” Grizel noted, ordering everyone to move deeper
into the property so that the gates could clang closed behind them.
Her steps were graceful and smooth—not at all like someone
recovering from a serious injury, and Sophie hoped that meant Grizel
was back to normal.
Both Sandor and Grizel stayed firmly in soldier mode—but for one
second when they thought no one was looking, they exchanged a look
that made Sophie’s heart seriously melt.
“So,” Fitz said, clearing his throat. “You ready for this?”
“I think so,” Sophie said quietly. “What about you?”
He nodded, offering his arm as he leaned closer and added, “I know
it’s bad to say this, but . . . I really think we’re going to find something
today.”
Sophie wished she could share that same confidence as she hooked
her elbow around his and let him lead her forward, into the heart of
Everglen. The path started out familiar, lined with neatly trimmed
shrubs and trees in every imaginable color, filling the air with a thick,
sweet perfume. But right when the shimmering mansion came into
view, they curved the opposite direction, up a series of steep hills that
had Sophie’s chest heaving by the time they reached an unruly
clearing butted against a wall of mossy rock. Scraggly bracken filled