Page 50 of Elf Shot

Arne shook his head. "There are clans in Alfheim that they are similar to. I can take you to see them some time if you like."

"You're playing dirty now," she said, grabbing her leather jacket.

"I haven't even begun to play dirty."

"Stop flirting with me, or you might regret it."

Arne grinned. "I really doubt it, vennen."

It was way too early to deal with how hot he was when he was in a playful mood. Layla found the apartment keys. "Feed me, then flirt with me."

The cafe that Arne took Layla to was tucked into a small side street she hadn't noticed before. While she was waiting for food to be brought to her, she finally turned on her phone. Ignoring all the messages and missed calls, she brought up her text chain with Freya.

What does vennen mean?

Freya's typing bubble appeared almost immediately. Now she messages back!

Come on, just tell me. It's Norwegian right? I don't want to have to fuck about by Googling it.

It's an endearment that means like 'darling' or 'love.' Why? Who's using it…oh my gods, is ARNE WITH YOU?

Layla was rescued from answering by the waitress arriving with more coffee and a plate of pastries. Her phone buzzed, but she ignored it for the apricot Danish she tried not to stuff into her mouth all at once.

"Family bothering you?" Arne asked, raising a brow.

"Something like that. Just Freya wanting to know if I'm still in the apartment and alive," Layla said. They looked down where her phone lit up with an all-caps message.

ARE YOU FUCKING HIM?

"Oh my God, please ignore that," Layla groaned and turned her phone screen over.

"I thought Torsten was nosy," Arne replied with a soft smile.

"Try having sisters, their mates and their relatives as well. They wonder why I haven't dated since I met you. It's because they are ridiculous."

"I can't say I'm sad about that." Arne lowered his coffee. "Is that the only reason?"

"Hmm maybe? I might make you charm it out of me just for fun," Layla replied. The sugar and caffeine were hitting her system, and she was finally waking up enough not to be dickmatized by him.

"It's been a while since I've had to be charming," Arne said, tearing his pastry into small pieces. "I haven't dated since I met you either."

Layla quickly put food in her mouth so she wouldn't say something ridiculous. Arne opened his mouth to say something else when his phone started to ring. Alruna's picture flashed up, and he swore under his breath.

Almost instantly, Layla's phone started buzzing. It was Kenna.

"Do you think it's an emergency?" she asked, showing him her screen. A cheeky idea popped into her head. "Swap?"

"Happy to," Arne said, taking her phone.

Layla would take Alruna over a pissed off Kenna any day. "Hello, Layla speaking."

"Layla! Should I ask what you are doing with my son's phone?" Alruna replied.

"He told me to answer it. Are you and the elves, okay? Is Vili attacking?" she asked. She looked up at Arne who was smiling as he talked to Kenna.

"No, there is no sign of Vili." Alruna's pause was long and telling. "Has he convinced you to come home to Alfheimstod yet? I want you here with the elves, Layla. You are both too exposed in Oslo."

"Why? Is this about the Norns?"

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