Lola rolled over onto her back as she scrubbed the sleep out of her eyes. She’d been having the strangest dream.
In it, she had been trapped in a dark room. No way to get out, just endless darkness. The only sound was her ragged breathing and the frantic pounding of her heart as she desperately dragged her hands across the smooth walls. Trying to find any way out.
She bit her lip as she looked around the bright sun-filled room and let out a deep breath. It was quiet and still. She wondered for a moment if she had imagined everything that had happened yesterday.
A loud bang came from the kitchen and she sat up, eyes wide. Either someone was breaking in or there really were fae creatures in her apartment. She untangled herself from the warm bedding and her feet hit the floor. She grabbed the baseball bat from under her bed before opening the door.
The polished wood and leather laces feeling comfortable in her hands as she brought the bat up. Ready to swing hard and fast at any intruder. Her heart was beating fast in her chest as she tightened her grip on the bat. Sneaking down the hallway. Holding her breath as she walked into the living room. She scanned the room, taking in the tossed around blankets on the couch.
“What-”
Lola swung the bat as hard as she could, her eyes widening as Bodach caught it with his hand. Trapping the wood in his fist and then using it to pull her forward before she could let go. He wrapped his other arm around her waist and pulled her closer.
He smirked down at her, his red eyes twinkling in amusement as he took in her tangled locks and her surprised expression.
“Did you think we were just a dream?” He asked, letting go of the bat and as his eyes searched hers.
“Yes,” Lola whispered as she looked up at Bodach. The bright sunlight streaming through his hair reminding her of a raven’s feathers almost blue and black when the sun hits it just right. She shook her head, clearing her throat before she spoke, “Well, a hallucination.”
“I’d be offended, acushla. If you weren’t so lovely upon waking.” His lips twitched as he tried to fight back a smile. He brought his hand up to brush her hair behind her ears.
Merrow propped his arms on the pillow, his eyes narrowing as he watched Bodach run his fingers through Lola’s hair. He didn’t like the way his friend looked at her, he knew that look well. Full of hunger and longing, glancing over at Puca, his long dark auburn hair fanning out over the pillow, his face relaxed in sleep. It seemed like they would have competition in trying to woo Lola.
“Falbh a ghabhail do ghnuis airson cac!” The shout rang out from the kitchen, filling the apartment, making Lola jump away from Bodach. The sound of a pot clanging against the counter made Lola hurry to her kitchen.
“What are you doing?” She asked Lu as he stood glaring at her stove.
“I can’t figure out this bastair,” he growled, dragging a hand through his copper colored curls.
“If you were trying to destroy my kitchen, good job,” Lola told him. Her full lips pressing into a thin line as she stepped into the small room and started putting things back in order.
“I was trying to fix you breakfast,” Lu said, a blush coloring his cheeks as he sulked.
“Oh, well, thank you for the thought,” Lola said, smiling over her shoulder.
“I didn’t mean to wake you yet, but how do you turn this on?” He asked, motioning to her stove.
Lola pulled out a box of matches and struck one before turning the knob and lighting the burner. She looked back over at Lu with a soft smile. Wondering what stoves must have been like before. Or did they even have stoves? That was a question she decided to save for another day. He already looked embarrassed.
“Why don’t you get the eggs out of the fridge,” she suggested. Pointing to the cream colored antique fridge that sat in the corner of her kitchen, “and I’ll get breakfast started.”
Lu nodded at her as he pushed himself away from the counter and did as she asked.
Lola busied herself fixing coffee as Lu brought the eggs to her. She sat them on the counter as she finished measuring out the grinds for all of her unexpected house guests. Next, she grabbed a mixing bowl from underneath the counter and sat it down. She opened the egg crate.
“Would you mind grabbing some chives from my window?” She asked before handing him her kitchen scissors.
Lu grabbed the scissors from her hand. His fingertips grazing her palm, making sparks fly as their skin met.
“That’s odd,” Lola said with a frown.
“It’s just your magic responding to my own,” he said, a smile playing across his face as he turned to do as she had asked.
Lola shook her head, trying not to think about what had just happened as she went about cracking the eggs into the bowl. Grabbing her whisk from the mason jar that sat beside her sink. She pulled out the cutting board and a knife, so Lu could chop the herbs. Beating the eggs with the whisk, Lola bit her lower lip. Last night had been much different from her normal Wednesday evenings.
Normally she’d read a book or watch some cheesy television show, maybe have a glass of wine before bed. Not accidentally open a puzzle box that was a prison. Releasing four super hot guys into her small apartment.
Guys who seemed very interested in her.
Lola placed a pan over the open flame with a bit of butter stepping over to the toaster she added bread to it. Moving back to the pan to give it a swirl. The steady thwack, thwack of Lu chopping the chives at the counter was soothing as she moved about the kitchen.The toast popped up and Lola grabbed it from the toaster, moving it between her hands as she grabbed a plate.“What magic is that?”“The toaster?” Lola asked.“Toaster.” Lu repeated, watching as Lola added more slices to the slim silver device and pressing the little lever.He did the next round, picking up the toasted bread and studying it closely. He grabbed two slices and add them to it, moving closer to watch as it went down and the coils inside of the device turning orange.Lola smiled to herself as she added the eggs to the pan before dumping the chives in. She stirred the eggs until they were fluffy. The smell making her mouth water, she glanced over at Lu, “Would you mind grabbing the plates with the toast for me?”W
Lola walked down the sidewalk, looking down as she touched her cheeks. Thinking about the kiss that almost happened with Merrow. She didn’t know if she had wanted him to kiss her or not when Lu had interrupted them. His bright eyes studying them intently before he raised a thick eyebrow at the merman. “Cleaning, aye?” He asked as he stepped into the kitchen breaking up the moment, Lola looked back up at Merrow as he studied her lips before stepping back. His sea-green eyes moving to her eyes as she let out a breath she hadn’t realized she had been holding. Lola couldn’t help but wonder what he would have done if they hadn’t been interrupted?“Aye, we are.” Merrow frowned as he looked over at Lu with a scowl. “I guess I’ll be heading out then,” Lola said stepping away from the handsome man, “If you get bored, you guys can watch some television. I’ve got Netflix.” She said missing their confused gazes as she headed into the living room.“Are you ready?” Bodach asked as he
“Would you like to come in with me?” Lola asked as she tucked her cellphone into her bag.“Nay,” he said, shaking his head as he looked at the chimes beside the door. The thick iron bells clanging in the slight breeze.“I’ll be quick then.”“Take you’re time, I’ll be waiting for you.” Bodach said as he leaned against the porch railing. Looking out over the yard, he let out a sigh as the door closed behind him.***Lola stepped outside, the brown paper package clutched close to her chest. The redwood jewelry box wrapped up nice and safe. She glanced around the porch for Bodach. He had chosen to stay outside, Lola could understand that. If she had been trapped for as long as he had in that box she wouldn’t want to be indoors more than she had to either.Debating with herself about planning a picnic for the men, she wondered if they would like that? Maybe they could go for a hike on one of her favorite walking trails.Looking out onto the well-manicured lawn, she frowned. Bodach wasn’t th
Opening the door to her apartment, the cool air hit Lola in the face and she let out a soft sigh of pleasure as she walked in. Slipping off her shoes. Bodach stepped behind her, his body responding to the sound she made as his eyes moved along the exposed skin of her shoulders. He found himself wanting to hear that sound again. “Where shall I put this?” He asked, shifting the box in his hands. Bodach had a strange feeling about it, but didn’t want to say anything to alarm Lola until he was sure. “Oh, um. On the coffee table is fine.” Lola said over her shoulder as she walked to the kitchen. She passed Lu, Puca, and Merrow smirking to herself as she caught sight or what they were watching with a roll of her eyes. “Really guys?” “Your scrying mirror seems to be broken.” Merrow glanced over to Lola as he spoke, his face flushing at being caught in this act of voyeurism.“The television?” Lola raised an eyebrow, “Seems to be working just fine to me.” “But these men, they’re all her
Walking down the sidewalk, Lola was lost in thought. Unaware of the four men that followed her. She turned down the street, stopping to wait at the crosswalk as she waited for the light to change.Shifting the box to her side as she clutched it with one arm. Smoothing her ponytail. Before all but skipping towards the antique shop as the light changed. An older gentleman with red hair and deep chocolate eyes held the door open for her. His toothy grin sent shivers down her spine.“Thank you,” she whispered as she hurried past him, unable to shake the eerie feeling he gave her.The bells twinkled above the door as Lola walked into Erik’s antique shop. It was quiet except for the whistling of the kettle. “Erik?” Lola called out as she stepped up to the cash register. Sitting the box down gently on the counter, she brushed her hands over her top, smoothing the material down. She couldn’t wait for Erik to see it. Walking out of the back room with his nose buried in a book. He moved towar
Stepping out of the kitchen, Lola walked towards the front with a frown.Why would she have a visitor at Erik’s shop? Then she saw him, his golden eyes blazing as he looked at her and her mouth went dry.Puca stood stiffly by the front door, his jaw clenched as he looked from her to Erik. She knew that he found her attractive, that he may have said that they wouldn’t sleep with her. The look in his eyes said something else, that he wanted to throw her over his shoulder and drag her back to the apartment. Pushing her hair out of her eyes, she tried to quash down the thrill that thought sent through her. She knew she shouldn’t feel this way for someone she’d just met. “Erik, this is my friend Puca.” Lola said introducing the two before she turned back to look at Puca, “Puca, this is my boss Erik. What are you doing here?” She said barely holding her smile in check as she spoke through her teeth.“I came to offer to escort you back home.” Puca stood taller. Smoothing the front of his s
Lola stopped, pulling her hand from Puca’s grasp. As she came to a stop and looked up at him, “I said I was coming back home soon, what are you doing?” “Getting you out of danger.” Puca turned to look at Lola. Her cheeks were flushed and her eyes shone in the sunlight. “I wasn’t in any danger.” Lola said as she glared up at him, “Erik is my friend.”Puca held up his hands showing her the healing scorched skin, “There is something in there that isn’t safe.” Lola stepped closer, taking his burnt hand in her own so she could study his palm, “Don’t be ridiculous, why are you hurt? And why do you think there is something in the store that’s dangerous?” “Iron, it was on all of the doors. The windows too, even the bells.” Puca said, watching the wisp of purple hair that escaped her ponytail and caressed her shoulder. “I don’t understand.” “Iron hurts my kind. The runes traced into the box you found us in were sealed in it. I don’t know why it didn’t hurt you.” He brought his
Grabbing a basket as she walked into the store, Lola frowned as she looked at it. Realizing that she was going to need a cart instead. She put the basket down and moved to get one of the carts, the fae already heading into the store. Lola couldn’t help but smile as she took in their wide eyes and amazed expressions as they passed displays promoting various items. “So you come here for all your food?” Lu asked as he slowed down from the others to walk beside her.“Most people do now day, I mean there are people who have gardens and do the whole hunting thing.” Lola said with a shrug as she walked along, pushing the cart. “Did you umm, did you do a lot of hunting before?”“Aye, well, mostly foraging. We bartered a lot, my mum kept a garden.” “Interesting, we don’t really barter and I don’t have enough space in my apartment to do a proper garden. Maybe one day I can have a house with a small garden.” Lola let out a wistful sigh, and Lu couldn’t help but envision a future with her. On