Forty
Walking up to the bar, Lola felt her heart clench at the laugh that Lu let out. It was deep and full, more carefree than she had heard before from him.
Merrow’s arm brushed against hers and she glanced at the other man. Watching the tense way he held himself as he looked between Lu and the other patrons.
“Lu,” Lola said as she stepped closer to him. He turned, she could see the flush of his cheeks and she wondered how much he’d had to drink.
“Ah, there she is. Mo nighean bhòidheach.” He said with a wide smile, Lola stepped closer to him and he snaked an arm around her waist pulling her into his lap.
Lola sat stiffly perched on his knees as she looked between him and the bartender.
“I was worried about you.”
“Nothing to worry about my love,” Lu said as he brought a hand up, brushing her hair out of her eyes. “Just needed a bit of refreshment.”
“Lu, let’s take our girl home.” Merrow said as he wrapped an arm around the man’s shoulder. His eyes moving to the man in the suit and then back to Lu.
“Has dinner been sorted?” Lu asked as he brought his hand up to trail his fingers through Lola’s hair. Not noticing the way that the vampire was studying Lola’s neck. Or how sharp teeth sank into his lower lip.
Merrow noticed, he noticed with the keen sharp interest of one predator meeting another.
“Owen, are you okay?” Dev asked as he looked at the vampire. He took in the ridges forming across his forehead and he let out a nervous laugh. Merrow glanced over at him, watching the way he twisted the rag in his hand. The way his other hand moved under the bar and he couldn’t help but wonder what the man was reaching for.
“Enjoying a pleasant drink with some new friends, this is Dev.” Lu sang, his words slurring.
Merrow moved to stand in front of the Lu and Lola. Golden demonic, glowing eyes glared up at him. Eyes that sent a thrill of fear up Merrow’s spin. He didn’t understand how Lu could be causally drinking with a creature like this one mere feet away.
How he could have Lola pulled into his lap? With a jovial laugh as he nuzzled his nose against her neck.
Sure, he was good for a brawl. But there was no way Lu would be able to protect Lola in the state that he was in.
“Fine.”
The words were said with a slight rumble that made Merrow’s fist clench at his side. His muscles tensed as he prepared to get Lola and Lu out of danger should he need to.
“You don’t seem fine.” The Dev said as he waved over the dark-haired man who was strumming his guitar.
“Eli, why don’t you take Owen up stairs, Candy, Abby, and Annie can finish setting up with me.” Dev said as he sat down the rag he had been using to wipe the counters down. His other hand coming to rest on the smooth surface.
“Sure, no problem man,” Eli said as he looped an arm over Owen’s shoulders, pulling him off of the bar stool. “Why don’t we head to Drake’s office for a quick… Chat.”NôvelDrama.Org exclusive content.
Turning to look at the three creatures, Dev let out a sigh of relief. There was no doubt in Dev’s mind that they were all fae and very much in danger.
He nodded towards Lu and the girl perched on his knee, “Let’s settle your tab and get you three on your way.”
Lola gave a nervous smile to the man. She didn’t know what was up with this bar. She had a feeling that these beings were about as human as she and the fae were.
Merrow relaxed as Lola hopped off of Lu’s lap. He glanced up towards the stairs that the vampire and Eli had walked up as he moved to help Lu stand.
“Um, can you repeat that total for me?” Lla asked and Merrow Looked over at her as Lu swayed beside him.
Dev rattled off the total and Merrow watched Lola worry her lower lip as she dug through her bag, pulling out her wallet. She handed over the small card and he couldn’t help but feel guilty.
Merrow knew taking care of them must be expensive, and she was a woman by herself. He wished that he could take her to his realm, so she wouldn’t have to worry about things like this. So that he and the other men could take care of her, pamper her like she should be pampered.
Turning towards them, he watched as she tucked her wallet back into her bag with a grimace.
“Ready my love?”
“She’s ready, I’m ready, you’re always ready.” Lu sang out and Lola nodded her head towards Merrow. Grabbing Lu’s other arm to lead him out of the bar.
Dev shook his head as they left. Hoping that things wouldn’t be so complicated for him with his mate.
***
“Lu,” Lola said, her voice soft as they walked, “Are you okay?”
“A ‘dèanamh math,” He said with a chuckle. “Does it ever rain here? Haven’t been in the rain in ages.”
“He’s just a bit drunk.” Merrow said, “Let’s get him home to sleep it off.”
“I’m not just drunk.” Lu said as he moved his arm wrapping it around Lola’s waist pulling her flush against his body. “It’s all my fault really, Merrow won’t say it. But I know he blames me for missing the birth of his sister’s child.”
“Lu, that’s enough.”
“Bodachs right is all. I need the feelings. The night that we went to see the succubuses. Is it sucubi?” He slurred out before shaking his head. “I begged Merrow to come with us. I need the feelings, he’s always been my friend. I knew it would make things easier. It’s not like with you, I feel so much for you.”
“It’s okay Lu. Let’s get you home and into bed.” Lola said trying to hurry him up before he said something that Merrow didn’t want her to know.
“Not okay, he’s been my best friend for as long and I can remember. I shouldn’t have dragged him with us.” Lu said, pulling his arms away from Lu and Merrow.
“What’s done is done. I don’t blame you.”
“You say that, but I saw how mad you got with Bodach earlier.”
“Bodach was just trying to get me to lose my temper. You know how he is, he just wasn’t done pushing everyone.” Merrow said, reaching for his friend as the man staggered forward.
“I’m sorry about Annwn.” Lu said, falling to his knees,
Biting her lip, Lola tilted her head to the side, “Did you say Annwn?”
“Yes, my sister’s name is Gwragedd Annwn.”
“We need to go back to the beach.” Lola said moving closer to Lu. She held her hand out to him and Lu lifted his hands. Wrapping them around her middle and burying his face against her stomach as he let out a mournful sob.
“I don’t think now is the time for a trip to the beach, ghra.”
“That’s not what I meant, the woman yesterday. That gave me the chest. Her name was Annwn.” Lola said as she patted Lu’s shaking shoulders.
Merrow Moved closer to Lu, gently prying his arms from around her.
“My friend, did you hear what Lola said?”
“My kin is alive.”