The Truth About Goblins

By Miranda Eastwood

Anny's parents are dead. In an instant, she is alone, forced to face an impossible question that has shadowed her existence since she was a child. But the answer to this question will not be found above ground…

Far beneath the surface, there is another world, a secret world. A nocturnal society where magic is not dead, and where the fine line between fact and fairy tale is dangerously undefined.

Amidst inexplicable wonders and nightmarish monsters, Anny will discover the truth about her past. Far from the city and all that she knows, deep belowground in the Goblin Market.

• Language: English
• Publisher: ToyMaker
• Release date: Apr 25, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386540304

Miranda Eastwood

Miranda Eastwood is a Canadian writer and artist who loves books, comics, and tea. Lots of tea. (She really loves tea!) The Truth About Goblins is her debut novel, but she has other projects on the way, including a graphic novel titled Her Name is Mandy, and a children’s book titled The Little Fish with Red and Yellow Scales, both set to be published before the end of the year. When she’s not working on her next book or graphic novel, she’s studying towards her Honours degree in Creative Writing and English Literature.

Book preview

This novel is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. All characters are fictional, and any similarity to people living or dead is purely coincidental.

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Copyright © 2018 by M.R. Eastwood

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All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review or scholarly journal.

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First Printing: 2018

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Your heart will be broken, if you choose to love.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Four

Chapter Twenty-Five

Chapter Twenty-Six

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Chapter Thirty

Chapter Thirty-One

Chapter Thirty-Two

Chapter Thirty-Three

Chapter Thirty-Four

Chapter Thirty-Five

Chapter Thirty-Six

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Chapter Thirty-Nine

Chapter Forty

Chapter Forty-One

Chapter Forty-Two

Chapter Forty-Three

Chapter Forty-Four

Chapter Forty-Five

Chapter Forty-Six

Chapter Forty-Seven

Chapter Forty-Eight

Chapter Forty-Nine

Chapter Fifty

Chapter Fifty-One

Chapter Fifty-Two

Chapter Fifty-Three

Chapter Fifty-Four

Chapter Fifty-Five

Chapter Fifty-Six

Chapter Fifty-Seven

Chapter Fifty-Eight

Epilogue

About the Author

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Are these your parents?

No.

The officers waited a moment before repeating, Are these your parents?

No, she thought again. But she hesitated to say it. This wasn’t denial, it wasn’t that she didn’t want to believe they were dead, because they were dead. There was no denying it. But they weren’t her parents.

She stared at the two corpses laid out in front of her. She acknowledged that when they had been alive, those people had raised her. They had taken care of her, fed her, clothed her, sent her to school like good parents would.

But they were not her parents.

No, she said, this time out loud. These aren’t my parents.

The policemen looked first at each other, and then back to her. Are you sure? Are you positive that these are not your parents?

She was sure. Her certainty shocked her as much as the officers. She couldn’t explain it, but staring at those cold, dead faces, Anny knew they weren’t her parents. She had never met her parents.

They’re not my parents, she said.

The officers still looked skeptical. "Are you absolutely certain? You are Anastasia Greene, aren’t you?"

How was she going to get out of this one? No, she lied. That’s not my name. But even as she said it, she felt that Anastasia Greene wasn’t her real name either. Strangely enough, she had always felt that way.

The officers exchanged glances. Sorry, said one. We were told... He shook his head. But I guess there’s been a mistake. We apologise.

It’s no problem, said Anny. Just a mistake.

The two officers led her out of the room and back to the reception area. Left on her own, she stifled a laugh as the policemen exited the building in search of the real Anastasia Greene. Eventually, they would realise that they hadn’t been mistaken after all. Eventually, she would be in trouble.

Taking a seat against the wall, Anny weighed her options. Her parents, who weren’t actually her parents, were dead. She couldn’t call them to pick her up from the morgue, and she couldn’t return home since those officers would probably be looking for her. What was she supposed to do?

She gazed out the window in thought. The waiting room was empty, for the most part. But from where she sat, Anny could see two men standing outside the door, waiting. At first, she ignored them. But as the seconds wore on, she couldn’t stop herself from casting glances, conspicuous as they were with their matching dark suits and sunglasses. What were they doing, waiting at the morgue?

One man turned to meet her gaze. Anny looked away. But out of the corner of her eye she saw him grab the shoulder of his companion in alarm. Turning her attention back to the pair, her heart skipped a beat. One of the men was pointing to her.

Trouble wasn’t going to come eventually. It was here. And it was now.

They opened the door, she sprang from her seat. As the angry voices grew louder behind her, she knew the men were after her. She heard them yelling for her to stop.

She tried to think as she bolted down the hall. Her so-called parents, or whoever they were, were dead. What had the officer said? Car crash? A likely story. And now, minutes after arriving at the morgue, two strange men show up right outside the door, lying in wait. What did they want with her?

Panicking, she slammed into an emergency-exit door. It swung wide open. The men were close behind her, but she had a head start. She could still outrun them.

The exit led to an unfamiliar alley, but that didn’t slow her down. She had to find a place to hide. Rounding the corner, she heard a loud bang resound off the high walls of the nearby buildings.

They have guns? She pushed her fear aside and kept running. It was now or never if she was going to hide. She spotted a nearby garbage bin, and as much as she despised the thought, she realised there was no other option. Lifting the lid, she held her breath and slid inside.

And not a moment too soon. She heard their frantic footsteps through the thin metal walls of the bin, listening as they hurried past her. She let herself breathe again. And to her relief, she realised that it hadn’t been garbage after all, but recycling.

But Anny knew her victory would be short-lived. The men would be back. She lifted the lid once again and slipped back into the alley. Downtown was close, and she knew it would be crowded. If she could only get back to the main street, she had a chance of escaping. What to do after that, she didn’t know. But for now, she had to focus on putting some distance between herself and those men.

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What do I do?

Anny gazed at her blank expression in the mirror.

What am I supposed to do?

She stood there, staring. And hoping those men hadn’t followed her to the mall. She might have been staring too long. Some kid was looking at her.

They’re going to find me here, she thought. The mall’s closing soon. She shut her eyes and sighed. Opening them again, she was met with that same empty gaze, no closer to coming up with a plan.

She looked herself over. Grey eyes, pale skin, silver-blond hair. That’s what the men would be looking for. Maybe she should buy a hat. Or a wig. Anything to cover up the hair. It was short and straight, normal enough. But the colour would give it away. Like a spotlight. Now that she looked at it under the bright lights of the boutique, it did look almost white. A dead giveaway.

Unable to look at the mirror any longer, she turned her attention elsewhere. Slightly annoyed, she realised that the guy next to her really was staring.

She met his gaze. What?

He turned to her, a pair of thin lips smiling beneath a swoop of a nose. Somebody in trouble?

Rolling her eyes, Anny turned away. She didn’t need to deal with a nosy kid on top of everything else. But as she exited the boutique, he followed. She cast a toxic glance over her shoulder before picking up the pace. Get lost, man. I really don’t have time for this.

Something landed on her head. She gasped and grabbed at the baseball cap.

Hmm, a little better, said the kid. It hides most of it, at least.

What the–? She whirled around and threw the hat back at him. Leave me alone!

What’s with the attitude? I’m just trying to help! He came up behind her and put the hat back on. Your hair will give you away if you don’t suck it up and wear the darn thing.

This time she stopped, ignoring the hat on her head. What did you say?

The hair, he repeated, pointing to his head. His own hair was fiery orange, too bright to be natural. That’s what people look for first.

She stared at him. I don’t know what you’re talking about.

Yeah. Right. He wasn’t convinced. Listen, kid, you want some help or not?

Kid? Seriously, how old was this guy? Younger than she was, for sure. And the freckles didn’t help. Just leave me alone, okay? She headed for the elevator.

But he wouldn’t let her go. Geez! he exclaimed, pulling up beside her. You’re one tough crocodile! What’s the matter? Bad day?

It had been a really bad day. And she was just about fed up with this dumb kid and his obnoxious little smirk. She swung around and stuck a finger in his face. Listen man, I told you to... But before she could finish, she caught sight of a stranger past the kid’s shoulder.

Uh oh.

He pushed her up against the wall.

Wha–

Kiss me.

She tried to push him away when he kicked her shin. Kiss me or you’ll get caught! Is that what you want?

She didn’t have time to think. He leaned in and she let him do it, eyes wide open. It occurred to her that this was her first kiss.

He backed away. Did it work? Is he gone?

Impatient, he turned around to see for himself. The man with the sunglasses was heading straight for them.

Nope. He bolted in the opposite direction, pulling her by the wrist. C’mon, we gotta go.

Skidding into the elevator, they scrambled to shut the doors. Anny found the buttons first and pressed them furiously. The man was steps away from the doors as they closed, but he was just too late. They had escaped by seconds. With a deep breath, she closed her eyes and sighed.

Way too close...

The strange kid pursed his lips in thought. Dang, he said. Meddlers, eh?

She glowered at him. What’s your problem? What are you trying to do?

Wow. Where’s the gratitude? He leaned against the wall and popped his lips. I think this would be an appropriate time for you to say, ‘Oh, my hero!’ and shower me with affectionate kisses.

Her eyes went wide. I can’t believe you just said that! You’re such a creep!

And you’re a troublemaker, he said. Whatcha runnin’ from, Cinderella?

None of your business, she replied, quickly adding, Why do you even care? Why did you do that?

Do what?

The heat rose to her cheeks. Slobber all over me!

Rude! He crossed his arms. I was only trying to help, y’know. Always works in movies.

Maybe that’s because ten-year-olds don’t go kissing adults in movies!

I’m not ten! He stuck out his tongue. "And you’re not an adult!"

I’m more of an adult than–

Door!

She turned around. They both gasped as the elevator doors slid open.

The man with the sunglasses was waiting for them!

As he reached out to grab her, Anny screamed, stumbling backwards and falling to the ground.

There was a jolt. The doors closed, jamming the man’s hand and forcing him to pull it back out. And once the doors were sealed, the elevator dropped.

The kids screamed as they fell two levels in two seconds, the lights flickering overhead. For a moment, the elevator went dark. And then, with another jolt, they came to a halt.

The lights came back on. They stared at each other. "What was that?!" cried Anny.

I don’t know! said the kid. "I thought you did it!"

What? No! With shaking legs, she rose to her feet, groaning as she hobbled out of the elevator.

Hey! he said, still at her heels. Where ya goin’?

Leave me alone! she said, still nauseous from the elevator. I have to get out of here.

Then follow me, he said, grabbing her wrist again. I have an idea.

She shook off his grip. Hands off! There’s no way I’m following you anywhere! A moment later and she was heading the other way. This isn’t some stupid game! These guys mean business, they have guns and–

He started laughing.

She spun around. What?

Guns! His face was red, he was buckling over with laughter. Even if they did have guns, they wouldn’t know how to shoot ’em!

Wait... She eyed him suspiciously. You know them? How do you–

Hostile, two o’clock! He went for her wrist as her head was turned and yanked her into action. Gotta make a run for it!

Wait, where are we going? She thought she heard footsteps behind them, but didn’t dare look back a second time.

It wasn’t until they had reached the mall’s atrium that they stopped to take a breath. From their place next to the railing, Anny could see the ground floor down below and the other floors overhead. The crowds were growing dangerously thin as closing time approached.

The kid stuck his head out into the open and looked around. He groaned.

What is it? she said.

He turned back from the railing and brushed past her. Just wait here. Don’t go anywhere.

Are you nuts? she exclaimed. If I stay here, they’re going to–

I spotted them on the first and third floors, he said. Don’t move. And off he ran.

Anny was torn between running and waiting for him to return. If he was right, and the men were above and below her, then maybe it was a good idea to stay put. Then again, she didn’t know how many of them were after her. She had only seen two back at the morgue, but here at the mall, they seemed to be in a dozen places at once.

Frustrated, she kicked the railing. What did she do to deserve this? How did she get into this mess? Her mind still spinning, she turned at the sound of footsteps.

Another man was running towards her!

Without a moment to lose, she bolted the other way. She knew she couldn’t outrun him, not for long. But she couldn’t hide, either. Turning the corner, she entered another hallway, wide and long, and searched for something, anything, that would buy her time.

But she slowed her sprint as someone screamed up ahead. Turning her attention to a distant sports shop, she froze in place as a golf cart crashed through the doors and flew into the hallway. The tires screeched on the smooth floor as the driver accelerated.

Anny could only stare in shock at the kid behind the wheel. This was too crazy. This couldn’t be happening!

He whipped the golf cart around and stopped at her feet. Anybody order drive-through?

You’re insane! But Anny knew the man was close behind her. The insanity of the situation didn’t stop her from climbing into the passenger seat.

The kid pulled hard on the steering wheel, swinging the cart around to face their pursuer. Laughing, he pushed the gas pedal to the floor. They weren’t going all that fast, considering it was only a golf cart, but to the man who stood facing the oncoming vehicle it might as well have been a speeding locomotive.

The man shouted and dived for safety. The golf cart missed him by inches.

Woohoo! The kid waved his arm at a group of shoppers up ahead. Get out of the way!

You’re going to kill someone! cried Anny, gripping the seat as they careened down the hall.

Relax, kid. I got this. He laughed again as the cart knocked over a jewelry stand.

Security was after them now, calling for them to stop. The kid glanced at the scene in his rear-view mirror and laughed even harder.

He’s psycho! thought Anny. This kid is totally psycho! She had no idea what his plan was, if he even had a plan at all. They were nearing the end of the hallway.

Stop! she cried, realising they were headed for the stairs. You’ll kill us!

He laughed some more as they bumped past the steps, the roof of the cart rattling all the way down. Anny tried to yell at him again, but her teeth were rattling along with the roof. Finally, they were back on the first floor and on their way to another wide hall.

But just as they were about to enter the next phase of their chase, Anny screamed. A toddler was wandering dangerously close to their path. Without waiting for her driver, she yanked the steering wheel to the right and jerked the cart away. But no sooner had they changed direction than they were headed for another obstacle, a tall pile of teddy bears stacked in a neat pyramid.

The kid made a desperate effort to brake, but it was too late. They crashed right into the foot of the display, sending the bears flying in every direction as the cart swerved to a halt.

With no time to lose, Anny crawled out of the wreck. She pushed the bears aside, fighting to escape the pile before those men caught up with her.

But the moment she got a foot on solid ground, someone grabbed her arm. And before she could fight, someone else had the other. With a swift, rough pull, they yanked her to her feet.

Game over. She was caught.

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Once they pressed the button, the elevator doors began to close, and Anny could do nothing but watch her last chance of escape disappear. It was almost more than she could take. If she had been emotional, she probably would have broken down into tears right then and there, in the middle of the elevator, in front of her two captors and the crazy kid beside her. But Anny had never been emotional. She stayed silent.

By now the anxiety was wearing off, leaving her with nothing to deal with but bitter anger. She felt stupid for trying to run, and for trusting a stranger against her better judgement. If it hadn’t been for him, she might have escaped. But instead, there they were, partners in crime. They stood in silence, the men in suits towering over them. Even if there wasn’t anywhere to run, they kept a firm grip on the kids’ shoulders, just in case they tried anything else.

Anny, of course, had given up by now. She was in enough trouble already. She glanced around the cramped elevator, watching as one of the men pulled out a key and opened a secret compartment below the dashboard. As the panel flipped open, it revealed a collection of levers and switches, all of them unfamiliar to her. What were they for?

But the man was only interested in one button. He leaned in, pushed it, and watched it flash blue, only to lock the panel up again once he was done. Not long after, the elevator began its descent. Anny felt a jolt as it passed the ground floor, then the basement. She waited for the next jolt, expecting the elevator to stop. But there was no jolt. And it didn’t stop.

It kept going down.

Oh no. She was really in trouble now. Anny looked to her right to see what the other kid thought about it, but he didn’t seem worried at all. He was paying more attention to the teddy bear in his arms than anything else. It looked like one of the stuffed animals from the mall. Had he really taken the time to swipe it before being forced into the elevator?

She glared at him. What’s wrong with this kid?

The boy caught her gaze. He looked away soon after, shuffling his feet. Another stretch of silence, and he offered her the bear.

You want it?

She ripped the bear out of his hands and whipped it back at his face. What’s wrong with you?!

Jeepers! he said, catching the stuffed animal. Could’ve at least said thanks! Do you not like bears, or what?

Bears? she exclaimed. "Bears?! Are you serious? You have got to be kidding me! Do you realise how much trouble we’re in?!"

He seemed genuinely shocked. Whoa, cool it down! I was just–

You almost killed a toddler with a golf cart!

Oh yeah? He crossed his arms and stuck out his tongue. "You’re the one who steered us into the bears!"

She felt the heat rise to her face. I saved that kid’s life, you jerk! What else was I supposed to do?

They continued to bicker until the fight got physical. The two men in the elevator had to step in and pry them apart.

One man looked to the other and groaned. This wasn’t in the job description.

The elevator jolted again as it came to a halt, putting an abrupt end to the fight. Feeling anxious all over again, Anny held her breath, unsure of what to expect. She had seen enough sci-fi films to imagine what an underground prison might look like. Was that what they were headed for?

The doors opened, the kids were thrown out. Anny could see nothing but darkness, stumbling forward as she felt another pair of hands grasp her arms.

They’re your problem now, grumbled one of the men.

Let’s keep it that way, eh? said the other.

And with that, the doors closed and the men disappeared. The two kids found themselves in the dark, unable to make out much aside from figures and shapes. Anny considered the possibility of escaping, but pushed the thought from her mind as her surrounding captors hurried her along the dark tunnel. She didn’t have a clue where they were going, or where she would run if she did try to escape. Not to mention that they were probably outnumbered.

It was a long time before she saw any light, and when it did appear, it was only a dim lantern up ahead. She could see the crate it rested on, and the shape of a woman sitting beside it. The group approached, the light fell to her captors. And then her heart skipped a beat. Something wasn’t right.

A contrast to the clean suits of the men from the mall, these sentinels wore long, flowing robes. They all had their hoods pulled up, with a scarf over the bottom half of their faces. Their eyes gleamed like a wild animal’s in the faint light.

Who are these guys?

One man emerged from the group and spoke with the guard by the lantern. We found her, he said, gesturing back to Anny.

The woman on the stool rose to face her friend. Good, very good. Turning to the rest of the group, she spotted the kid with the orange hair. But who’s this?

The boy, more irritated than intimidated, shook off the firm hand resting on his shoulder and faced the approaching sentinel. Who wants to know?

Ah. The guard removed the mask from her face. It’s you. Again. She didn’t seem too impressed. What did you do this time?

"Well, wouldn’t you like to know!" he replied, crossing his arms.

I’m not altogether sure that I would. But I’m bound to hear about it sooner or later. She turned her attention back to one of the men. Take him to Bellator, along with the girl. Maybe he’ll set the kid straight, for once. The sentinel stepped away from the group, heading towards two large doors just ahead.

Taking a set of old keys from her pocket, the guard unlocked a great big bolt and pushed the heavy doors open. They were very large, at least eight feet high, and wide. More of a gate than anything else.

The group filed out of the tunnel, each individual nodding to the guard in acknowledgment, who in turn nodded back. It was all so strange, from Anny’s perspective.

Where are we going? she thought, too scared to speak in the presence of the guards. Her eyes were on their cloaks, a mix of black and red that shone as they passed the lantern. She glanced over her shoulder to where the kid was walking behind her, still holding the teddy bear. How did the guard at the gate know who he was? Was it supposed to be a good sign? Anny didn’t know.

But none of it mattered as they stepped through the gate. The darkness of the tunnel had been left behind. There was light, colour. And as she lifted her gaze, she was spellbound. They had stepped into another world.

Deep underground, the sky was a great big ceiling of dark, grey stone. She might have called it a cave, except that it didn’t feel like a cave at all. The ceiling was very high, at least six stories tall, and so wide that the walls seemed to fade into the distant darkness. Anny couldn’t even see them from where she stood, and the cavern’s size was lost to her completely as they continued to what lay within.

Everywhere she looked, she saw shops. Odd little street shops, like the ones from the familiar city streets way aboveground. But Anny knew right away that these were different. Each shop was filled to the brim with fantastic curiosities, overflowing with strange, unimaginable wares. It almost seemed as though the goods themselves were beckoning to her, inviting her to investigate each store and discover its mysteries.

And the people! There were crowds of them, everywhere! Where had they come from? Why had they come in the first place? Although many of them seemed normal, for the most part, Anny noticed right away that others were dressed like her entourage in long robes. And there were even more people whose outfits were simply too bold to go unnoticed. It seemed that, upon entering this underground expanse, she had stumbled onto a strange kind of society, a secret world hidden from those who lived in the city far above. She desperately wanted to stop and look at all the beautiful shops, but a gentle push from behind reminded her that she hadn’t been brought here to sightsee. She had almost forgotten that she was in trouble.

On they went, past countless curiosity shops and their colourful, eccentric owners. The clamour of the market was overwhelming. Even as they passed, Anny heard the vendors crying out to the guards surrounding her.

Come, fine sir! A gift for your lady at home, eh?

Ah, those robes are looking quite tarnished, no? Why not try out a new cloak? I have a generous offer lined up especially for you, my friend!

Stop just a minute, gentlemen! Take a quick break from your noble charge to sample my latest goods! You won’t regret it, I guarantee!

The eager cries fell upon deaf ears. The sentinels had their hands full, and weren’t at all willing to be enticed by the chorus of calls.

The group continued, heedless of the chaos that surrounded them. The guards had formed a small perimeter around the two kids, making it difficult for Anny to see what was happening, but she still tried to steal a glimpse here and there. She found it strange, enchanting, to see trees all the way underground in this dark market. More enchanting still was how their roots and branches entangled themselves with the storefronts of the little shops, as if the streets themselves had grown from the very ground. And as she glanced upwards, she caught the glimmer of lights strung from branch to branch, suspended over the street like lazy fireflies. It was a welcome substitute for the stars that would have shone through the darkness if not for the ceiling of stone overhead.

At last the group slowed their pace, halting in front of a prominent building. Unlike the surrounding storefronts, this place brought to mind an ancient watchtower, reaching up a whole five stories to where it overlooked the market. Anny could see a solitary sentinel on duty, standing way up at the top. But the sight escaped her as they were led inside, the busy market shut away behind a heavy door. Once in the tower, the group dispersed, heading this way and that to complete whatever tasks they had in mind. Only one guard remained to lead the kids away.

The man pulled down his mask and took a deep breath, relieved to have escaped the hectic marketplace. Anny stifled a gasp as she saw his eyes. They were bright red.

He looked at her, saying nothing. All he did was tip his head to the right, indicating that it was time to keep moving. She didn’t need to be told twice, but as she walked ahead she could hear the other kid arguing with the guard just behind her. He sure had some attitude.

As they walked down the hall and up the stairs, Anny was overwhelmed a second time, gaping at everything around her. The few electric lights that hung isolated from the ceiling were surrounded by candles, torches, and lanterns, lending a natural warmth to the stone tower. In the absence of windows there were tapestries along the wall, boasting intricate embroidery that seemed to move with the flickering light. She noticed a repeating symbol woven into their designs. And even on the floor, the carpet had signs of that same pattern. She could make nothing of it, however, and the sight did little to ease her nervousness.

Arriving at the second floor from the winding stone staircase, the two were led to another door. The guard knocked, waited for a response from within, and then opened it. He waved his hand, gesturing for the two to enter. And although she hesitated, Anny knew that it was too late now to think of escaping. A deep breath, and she stepped forward, with the kid at her heels. At least she wasn’t alone.

The room was dark compared to the hall. There was one window behind a large desk, and a few other sources of light scattered about, but there were none of those bright electric lights that she had seen downstairs. The fireplace in the corner was the brightest thing in the room, though Anny had to look twice to assure herself that, yes, the flames were violet. This underground world was different from the one she was used to.

In the dim light, she hadn’t noticed the man beside the mantelpiece. She nearly jumped in surprise when he began to speak.

Ah, what a relief, he said. So they managed to find you... That’s good. Emerging from the shadows, he made a sweeping motion to the sofa in front of the fireplace. Just wait here a moment. I’ll let Bellator know you’ve arrived. Exiting the room, he shut the door behind him and left the two alone.

Anny obediently took a place on the sofa, saying nothing as she allowed her eyes to scan the spacious office. Everywhere she looked, the walls were covered in papers. There were maps and drawings, pages from books, and the occasional newspaper clipping. From her seat on the sofa she could read one of the headlines. Market Collapses in Nihonatcha. She wondered what it could mean.

Still taking in her surroundings, she ignored the other kid as he sat down at the opposite end, hugging the teddy bear close to his chest. She cast a sideways glance in his direction, but looked away before their eyes could meet. She wanted nothing to do with him.

For a long while, neither said a word. The kid kept lifting his head, about to speak, but was unable to break the silence. It was only after a minute or so that his eyes lit up with an idea.

Bounding from the sofa, he made his way to the desk and grabbed a pen, fingering the blank tag on the bear. He scribbled something onto the tag and returned to his seat. Placing the bear in the gap between them, he tapped Anny’s knee.

Finally, she turned to him, reaching for the bear as she eyed the message on the tag.

Sorry.

She scowled and threw it right back. "Apology not accepted."

Why ya gotta be like that? He slumped down and hugged the bear. Some thanks I get, for saving you and all that.

She clenched her fists and turned away. "You didn’t save me from anything, genius. We got caught."

He shrugged. Okay, so maybe the rescue plan could’ve been a little better. But still, that was one heckuva first kiss, right?

It was disgusting, she replied haughtily. And completely unnecessary. And it didn’t work. At all. But then something occurred to her. Hey, what do you mean, ‘heckuva first kiss’?

"Hmph! I’ll have you know that my kisses are high-end. Not my fault you have a bad taste in smooching."

No, not that! How did you know it was my first kiss?

He yawned and stretched out his legs. It was sloppy.

She was about to deal a snarky reply when the door swung open. Sitting to attention, they both turned to face the incoming stranger. He was tall, with slick black hair flecked with a touch of grey. Forsaking the customary cloak, he was wearing a collared shirt with an expensive jacket. Paired with a heavy frown, he looked intimidating. This guy had to be the boss.

But his firm expression vanished into annoyance as his gaze fell on the sofa. With a weary sigh, he turned to the kid with the orange hair.

Kitsune Mustelini, he said. I should have known the moment they mentioned the golf cart.

The kid rose and took a bow. No need to be so formal, Bellator. He straightened out with a smirk. Kit will do.

You’re in here far too often for your own good. He thrust a finger in his face. "You’re lucky that my men picked you up. Do you know how much trouble you would be in if the overworld police had got there first? Your little excursion is likely to be on television tonight. The heavy frown returned. I’m afraid you won’t be leaving the Market for some time, not after an incident like this."

Oh, dratters, said Kit, blatantly unconcerned. Looks like I’ll have to entertain myself around here from now on. Another smirk. Got any golf carts handy?

Listen here, kid. He stepped forward and grasped his shoulder. "You’re walking a very fine line. One more misadventure and you’ll end up behind thick concrete walls for a good long time."

Now that would be unfortunate, he replied. It’d be awfully difficult, finding some other sucker to supply you and your wife with free tickets to the club. You might even end up, he gasped mockingly, "buying them yourself, if something like that happened."

Reluctant as he was, Bellator released his shoulder and backed off. They should be VIP at this point, he growled. What with all the headaches you’ve caused me.

"Sheesh, take it easy! Even I can’t swing VIP tickets. Lavinia keeps them all for her boyfriends."

Hmph. Sure, kid. After this brief exchange, Bellator turned his attention to where Anny was sitting. Would you happen to be Anastasia?

She considered lying, but the thought only lasted a moment. The intensity in his eyes gave her the impression that she wouldn’t be able to get away with it, not this time.

Yes, she said, deathly afraid of the consequences.

But what happened next took her by surprise. With a great sigh of relief, he exclaimed, Thank goodness! Are you all right?

This was unexpected. She could barely manage words. Y-yes! she stammered. I’m fine. But I don’t understand, I thought–

Yes, said Bellator, somewhat embarrassed. "I have my bumbling overground men to thank for the confusion. They’re not what you would call my, uh... brightest division. He cast an angry glance at Kit. It wasn’t your fault you were surrounded by idiots."

Hey!

Kit started flinging insults and excuses back at Bellator, but Anny didn’t hear any of it. She fell back in her seat.

Oh... she said, rubbing her eyes. I really thought... So I’m not in trouble?

No, no, said Bellator, of course not. He flicked Kit on the nose and turned back to her. Well, not here, anyway. But we do have to talk about aboveground matters now that you’re safe.

Safe? She frowned. "What do you mean, safe? Was I not safe before or something?"

Uh... yes, he said, noting her concern. That’s why I sent my men to pick you up. As soon as I found out that your parents...

He halted midsentence, glancing at Kit. With another weary sigh, he pointed to the door.

Out, he said. You can talk to your friend later.

Anny glowered at Kit as he left the room. "We’re not friends."

We’re lovers, he added, quickly shutting the door behind him.

What? No! She felt her cheeks turn red, this time from embarrassment. "We are not lovers!"

Bellator rolled his eyes and pulled up an armchair. Kitsune is something of a regular around here. I don’t know how you got mixed up with him.

Come to think of it, neither did she. It was a complete accident, I swear. She paused. Are you the police?

He leaned back in his chair and smiled, amused. "Yes, I suppose you could call us that. We’re like police, except the bulk of our operations take place underground. We have a few special divisions that keep an eye on the overground as well, but we try to stay inconspicuous."

Well, that effort had been a gigantic failure. But who are you? If you’re not actually police, what do you do? And what is this place? And what were you saying about my parents?

He smoothed his hair back, thinking of how to proceed. We have a lot to talk about. I’m assuming you know nothing of this place, am I right?

Anny looked around the room, glancing first out the window and then to the strange fire burning in the corner. Never had she really believed in a place like this.

Nothing, she said quietly.

Alright then, he said, clasping his hands together with renewed zeal. Steel yourself for what I have to say. I’m afraid it might be a lot to take in at once. He paused. And it may sound crazy.

Crazy? she said. I just spent the last couple hours with crazy. I’m ready for things to start making sense.

Good. He offered another smile. Then I believe we’re on the same page.

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Gesturing for her to follow, Bellator led Anny to the large window overlooking the busy market. It was quite a view, with the firefly lights hanging in the trees above and the busy shops teeming with customers down below. She could have stood there for hours, watching the people come and go.

I’m afraid I don’t have much time to speak with you, he began. There are some pressing matters which require my immediate attention. But I’ll try my best to explain just as much as I can in this short interview.

Anny’s mind was whirling. She had so many questions! And now this guy was telling her he didn’t have time to answer them?

He continued before she could offer a reply. You asked what this place was, he said. Well, we do have a name for it. He turned to her, his eyes gleaming with a touch of pride. We call it the Goblin Market.

Goblins? Her curiosity quickly banished her bitterness. You mean like the fairy tales?

Yes... and no, came his cryptic reply. The goblins you’re familiar with, the ones from fairy tales, well... they really aren’t... He struggled to find the right words. Why don’t we start from the beginning?

Sounds like a good place to start, she said, following as he led the way back to the sofa.

He waited until she was seated before speaking again. So the first thing you should know is that goblins are, well, they’re real. More than just stories.

Goblins. Fairy-tale creatures. Like... those little green monsters that sort of... She was at a loss for words. Seriously?

This was getting weird. Then again, she was several levels belowground in a secret market she never knew existed. She had a feeling things were only going to get weirder.

I’m sure it sounds ridiculous to you. But please try not to associate those ‘little green monsters’ with the goblins I’m about to describe. True goblins, purebreds... they are all but extinct by now. He glanced at the window. In this day and age, they’ve all interbred.

Interbred with what? she asked.

He chuckled. Humans.

Gross!

You may feel that way, but I’m only telling you what happened. Did you see all those people out there?

Don’t tell me... Her eyes went wide. You’re not saying they’re–

Goblins, he finished. Well, part-goblin, anyway. We use the term rather loosely nowadays. He shrugged. Goblins are, for the most part, human, with a small amount of goblin blood. But we call them goblins for simplicity’s sake.

But... I don’t understand. What do they look like? Goblins, I mean. She looked to the window. How do you know who’s a goblin and who’s a human?

The question had him stumped. Visibly, it’s difficult. Goblins, even if they’re only quarter-human or even less, take the same shape as people. He shifted in his seat. There are times, however, when a particularly stubborn strain of goblin genetics interferes with the normal human appearance. Eye colour, and sometimes hair... He waved his hand impatiently. But that’s not important right now. There’s something else we need to talk about.

Not important? Anny thought it was important! Out of nowhere, this guy tells her another species exists on the face of the earth. Or beneath it. Or whatever. How could he just gloss over the topic like that?

But another question surfaced. What exactly does all this goblin stuff have to do with me?

Anastasia... He hesitated. I think you can guess.

Oh no... Was this guy serious? You mean I’m...? So the little green things... That’s... This was too much. Her gaze dropped to her feet. Seriously?

His voice took on a softer tone. No, no. Like I said, purebred goblins, your ‘little green monsters’, they don’t exist anymore. Their eyes met as he tried to reassure her. Your parents were descended from one, is what being a goblin means. It’s just that you have, uh... special blood.

What did it mean? What could it all mean? Nothing was making sense... Anny didn’t understand any of it. In the confusion of the moment, her mind drifted back to the two bodies back aboveground, still waiting to be identified at the morgue.

My parents... Understanding dawned on her. They weren’t my real parents.

No, they weren’t, he said. Just as you are not the real Anastasia Greene.

I knew it! she said, though her voice was laced with disbelief. I knew it all along. Back at the morgue, they asked me... Her eyes met his once again. I knew they weren’t my real parents. How did I know?

That would be another detail, he said. "As a goblin, it’s not unusual to have such, uh... feelings towards your identity. Or heritage, if you’d rather."

Wait, what? She frowned. Say that last part again.

He gave a weary sigh. "I really don’t have time to explain that bit. What is important is that you were exchanged with another when you were very young. Reluctantly, he added, You’re a changeling."

Anny went silent. The conversation had been leading up to this, she should have known it was coming. But she was still unprepared for the blow. Elbows on her knees, she hung her head and tried to take it in.

Changeling... She closed her eyes. I was switched.

Uh, well... He tried to agree without sounding callous. "Simply put, yes. The real Anastasia Greene is living here at the moment, in the Market. He rose from his chair and walked back to the desk. I believe she’s staying where the old herb garden used to be, over some sort of shop. Opening a drawer, he pulled out an old photograph. He gave it to her and added, I would go to her if I were you. She’ll have the answers you’re looking for. It’s her secret to tell, in the end. I’m sure she’ll want you to know."

The girl in the photograph had blond hair like her. Except, not like her. Just normal blond hair, gold instead of white. The picture itself must have been taken a few years back, because the girl looked too young to be her changeling.

Who is she? said Anny, still in a daze.

She goes by the name that was once yours, he said. Saphira Lazuli.

Saphira Lazuli, she repeated, tasting the name on her lips. Now that she said it out loud, she felt that it really had been her real name. She felt that it was still her real name, just like the feeling that those two dead bodies in the morgue were not her parents. Was it normal, to have these feelings? Was it normal, for a goblin?

Someone knocked at the door. Bellator marched over and opened it just a crack. A woman’s voice, a whisper, drifted in from the other side.

We found him.

His grip tightened on the edge of the door. You... you can’t mean... He cast a nervous glance towards Anny and lowered his voice. He’s actually here?

She nodded, following his gaze to the sofa. When she spoke again, her voice was so quiet that Anny couldn’t hear her at all.

But nothing from Donovan, she continued. Not a word.

He was silent for a long moment. That’s not good.

Not good? She clenched her teeth. Is that all you can say? You know something must have happened, or we would have heard from him by now.

Yes, yes. He looked to the sofa a second time before turning back to the door. I understand. Give me another minute here and we’ll continue.

She said nothing and nodded once more, though her eyes betrayed her frustration.

Just one minute, he promised, closing the door. When he turned to Anny, his face was very pale. I’m afraid I have to end this here.

What? she exclaimed, jumping to her feet. You can’t just throw this all on me without... without... She tried to keep calm, but the stress was too much to handle. Without explaining it first! I don’t know where I am, or who I am, or what to do, or anything! How am I supposed to get back home?

I would advise against leaving the Market, he said. We believe the death of your adopted parents was no accident. It’s likely that someone is after Anastasia Greene, and even if you’re not actually her, there’s a good chance the killer will be looking for you. He paused, regretting his use of words. But of course, that would all be aboveground. You’re safe as long as you stay in the Market.

But why is someone after me? What did I do? Why was I switched in the first place? This was it, this was just too much. And what do you mean, ‘we’? Who’s ‘we’?

I’m sorry, I’m so sorry... He went over to the desk and wrote up a hasty note. This is a bad time. I’m in the thick of possibly the most... He shook his head. "Ah, no, it is the most important investigation of my career! We can’t afford to wait, not now. I can answer more questions for you, but later. He handed her the envelope, clasping her hands in his and leading her to the door. When you need to come back here, ask for the Arbiter’s Tower. Showing her out, he pointed to the envelope. And give that to Kitsune. He’ll give you a rundown of the place."

She wanted to say something, to argue, to scream out of frustration, but she didn’t