Chapter Eight

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.