Thirty-Nine
Walking down the hallway, Lu dragged his fingers through his curls. He was stressed, his emotions were all over the place. He walked onto the sidewalk, tilting his head to the side. Closing his eyes, he let his feet guide him in the direction he hoped would lead to a strong drink.
He pulled open the heavy steel door open with a grimace. Lu didn’t know how his kind functioned in a world like this? All the steel and iron everywhere, it hurt. The unfamiliar stench of cigarette smoking making him scrunch his nose. Under that scent was the smell he longed for. Alcohol of all different kinds. He stepped inside the dimly lit bar with a frown.
He could feel the magic of shifters sweeping over him. There weren’t that many right now at this early hour. The lingering presence was still there, moving over his skin. The call of ale was greater than his fear as he took in the bar. The bottles that lined the shelves behind it. Moving closer, he sat on one of the barstools.
“What can I get for you?” The bartender asked as he wiped down the counter.
“I’ll have. Hmm, what do you recommend?”
“You smell like a whiskey kinda guy.” The green-haired man said as he pulled out a bottle and set up a crystal tumbler for the man.
“Wouldn’t be wrong, my friend.” Lu said with a smile. His mouth watering at the thought of a good, strong drink.
“So are you passing through or staying for a bit?” He asked as he poured the amber-colored liquor.
“Passing through, well I hope to be passing through. Depends on if she will come with us when we find a way home or not.”
“Lady problems?” The man asked as he resumed wiping down the counter.NôvelDrama.Org owns this text.
“Not so much. Things are good with her. It’s the menfolk.”
“Oh, my alpha has multiple mates. I’ve heard that it can be… Trying.”
“What breed are you?”
“Wolf,” The man shrugged as he peeked up at the red-headed man. “I’ve never seen a fae creature like you, what are you?”
Lu shook his head as he took a sip of the whiskey. He always hated this question. Hated that people always treated him like he was a drunkard or a thief after they knew the answer.
“I’m a leprechaun.”
“No shit?” The wolf smiled, “Man, I know some vamps that would be super excited to meet you.”
“No thanks, I’ve heard we’re tasty to them.”
“Best to avoid those, they have a newly turned witch with them.”
“I’ll keep my distance. Are they nearby? I need to warn my family.”
“No, their clan is pretty nomadic. Last I heard, Charles and Ciaran had taken their girls back to Europe.” The man said as he reached for the bottle and refilled the tumbler.
“I doubt we’ll be going there. Thank you for the warning.” Lu said as he lifted the glass up and took a long drink. “What’s your name, friend?”
“I’m Dev,” The shifter said as he poured another glass.
***
“We’re home,” Lola called out as she and Puca stepped inside of the apartment. The cool air making goosebumps rise across her skin as she kicked off her shoes and hung her purse up.
Bodach walked up and pulled her into his arms to spin her around, his lips pressing against hers. Lola couldn’t help but let out a girlish giggle.
“What was that for?” Lola asked as he sat her back onto her feet.
“Just missed you.”
Lola brought her hand up to his cheek. She wasn’t used to this kind of carefree behavior with Bodach.
“He’s just trying to distract you.” Merrow said with a frown. “Lu is gone.”
“Gone?” Lola asked, moving her hands to grip Bodach’s bicep.
“Yes, gone.” Bodach said and Lola looked between the two men with a frown as she pulled away from Bodach’s arms.
“Where are you going?” Merrow asked as he moved closer, he’d intended to give her a greeting. She was moving back to her shoes. She grabbed a pair of flats. Slipping them on.
“To find Lu, he doesn’t know what it’s like out there.” Lola said, panic filling her voice,
“It will be okay, Lola. Lu’s probably found a tavern already.” Puca said, trying to comfort Lola.
“How do you think he plans to pay for those drinks? He has no money.” Lola said, her voice rising as she stomped out of the apartment. Slamming the door behind her as she went.
Pulling out her phone, Lola let out a sigh. She didn’t know what had happened to make Lu run off. It had to be something big. He was the calmest out of the four fae men. From what little she knew of them.
Lola searched for local bars and let out a sigh as Merrow caught up with her. He looped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her closer, and she glared up at him.
“I’ve come to help you search for him.”
“What happened?” Lola asked as she pressed her lips together, not looking at the merman.
“Just a bit of a scuffle between Bodach and I. We messed up Lu’s dinner plans.” Merrow admitted, glancing away as Lola looked up at him.
“Why were you fighting?” Lola said as they walked closer to the brick building.
“He brought up my sister.” Merrow said, dropping his arm from around her shoulders as his jaw clenched.
“You’ve got a sister?”
“I do.” Merrow said, shoving his hands into his pockets.
“Do you want to talk about her?”
“No.”
“Okay,” Lola said with a long sigh. She turned towards the first bar on her list and moved closer to the doors. The fading crescent moon painting on the door read ‘Moonlight’ as she pushed the steel door open. Shaking her hand as she stepped inside.
It hadn’t seemed like the door should be as warm as it was.
Standing still, letting her eyes adjust. Lola heard the soft strains of the guitar filling the air as a band setup on the stage. She looked towards the sound, taking in the twin women standing in front of the stage. One talking to a woman with bright multi-colored hair and a man with sleek long hair. She turned, looking towards the bar. Lu’s wild curls caught her attention and she let out a sigh of relief.
They had found him and he seemed okay. He was talking to a man in a tailored business suit and a bartender with bright green spiked hair.
Lola walked forward with Merrow following closely behind her. His eyes moving about the room as he tried his best not to bring the attention of the vampire to Lola and himself.