Flashback ( PDFDrive )

they know they all but phased me out of their lives the moment they
chose to have more children. No, that’s only the beginning of the
glorious Vacker legacy—and that’s why I did this. Tonight, I finally get
to show everyone who the Vackers truly are—and my bratty little
brother and sister get to watch.”
“Alvar asked that his reward for fulfilling this assignment be that I
allow you to join us for the big reveal,” Vespera told Sophie and her
friends. “And I will keep my word, so long as you stay on your best
behavior. Your goblins will be staying here—as will your ogre. But I
will allow the troll to come with you, since I am curious to see her
reaction as well. And if I detect anything untoward, I will let Umber
show you exactly how much pain she can trigger with shadowflux—
and trust me, you cannot even begin to fathom it. Understood?”
She waited for each of them to nod before she told Alvar, “Let us
in.”
Alvar bowed his head, and Sophie’s heart turned heavier and
heavier as he smeared Fitz’s blood on the sensor and the gates swung
slowly inward, letting Gethen, Vespera, Ruy, and Umber stride
smoothly into the property.
“And just in case you’re still thinking you’ll find a way to be
heroes,” Gethen added, “allow me to introduce your escorts for this
journey into the Vacker family history.”
He whistled through his teeth and the earth rumbled softly, sending
all the goblins leaping to their feet.
Sophie braced for an army of dwarves, but when the ground opened
up, four of the biggest, scariest ogres she’d ever seen marched toward
them, licking their pointed black teeth.