Page 15 of Trolling For Love

“I’m from Iceland. I lived on the edge of the monster realm for many years.”

“This must be very different for you,” he said. “It was for me too when I first arrived here.”

“Yes, but the trees and woods make it worth it. Never have I seen so many trees,” I said, unable to hold back talking about how happy it made me.

“He’s really been a great help. Well, we’re going to order food, you two have a nice meal,” Flynn said and tugged my shirt sleeve to pull me to the front of the restaurant. “Sorry but I knew you were hungry. We can talk to them another time if you like.”

“It might be good to speak to other creatures who have also chosen to live here.”

“I agree. Now, what do you want on your pizza?” he asked and rubbed his hands together.

“Everything? I really don’t know.” I looked up at the menu but there were some words I hadn’t seen before and others I wasn’t sure were actually food. “You order. I trust you.” The realization it was true hit me hard. I didn’t trust anyone or anything. I barely trusted Einar and I’d known him for most of my existence. Trolls did not trust easily.

“Okay, you find a table and I’ll make sure we get enough food.” He stepped up to the counter but as I looked around there were too many eyes on me, and I decided to stay where I was.

“I’ll wait here,” I said, but Flynn was too busy ordering. He was given two big glasses with something to drink. He turned and nearly walked right into me.

“Sorry, I didn’t expect you there,” he said with a smile. “Let’s find a table. They’ll bring the food to us.” He led us to a table in the back where it was a little quieter and where we could see everyone in the restaurant. I liked not having anyone behind me so when I sat down, I could finally relax.

“Did you know Bo?” Flynn asked as he leaned closer to me.

“No, I’ve never seen him before, and I couldn’t tell what he was either.”

“He’s a leshy, and his wife is human,” Flynn said.

“A spirit of the forest, that’s why I did not know his kind. I’ve heard of the leshy before, they’re shapeshifters.”

“Really?” Flynn said and turned to look at him before turning back to me. “I didn’t know that. Pretty cool.”

“Pretty cool,” I repeated making him laugh.

“I wasn’t sure what to get you to drink so I just got water,” Flynn said and took a drink.

“Water is what I drank for many years. There isn’t much else in the wilds of Iceland to drink. But there is plenty of water.”

“Did you want to try something else?” he asked.

“What would I try?” I asked.

“Wait right here.”

I did as he said and looked around at everyone. At a table on the far side of the restaurant sat a man that looked familiar, but I could not imagine how that was possible. He stared at me with hate-filled eyes, and I remembered at the institute they said not all humans were happy with them allowing monsters to live with humans. The man continued to stare, and I refused to look away. Then another man walked over and sat at the table with him. This man I did know. He worked on the crew with me. Gene Redmond turned to look at me. His eyes widened with recognition.

“Try this, it’s root beer,” Flynn said, and I forced my eyes away from the two men who were now staring at me. One with hate, and the other with—fear.

Taking a big drink, I wiped the moisture off my lip before forcing a smile. “This is good, Flynn Davies.” I forced myself not to look in their direction, but I wanted to know what made that man look at me with so much hate, and I hoped it wasn’t that Ihad killed someone he knew. Because in all of my existence there had been many who had died at my hands.

“I’m glad you like it. I see Gene is here too,” Flynn said with a tip to his head.

“Yes. Do you know who that human is with him?”

“That’s Vince Drummond, my uncle.” My eyes widened and I glanced at the man who was still staring.

“You’re related to him?”

“Yes. Unfortunately.” Flynn shook his head and looked down at the table.

“Why do you say that?” I asked.

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