Free Finding Faerie by Laura Lee

“Hey, how are you doing?”
    She sighed. “I’m okay…I’m just packing right now.”
    “So Shanna’s is a done deal?”
    “Yeah, I’m heading over tomorrow. She said I can stay as long as I need to.”
    “Are you flying there?” 
    “No, Vance insisted on driving with me so I’d have my car. I’ll take him to John Wayne Airport once I get settled and he’ll fly home from there.”
    “That’s nice of him.”
    “It is,” she agreed. “Hey, before I forget, Chad called looking for you. He wants to talk to you about the incident with Maria.”
    “He did?”
    “Yep, don’t worry…I didn’t tell him where you were. I told him I’d let you decide if you wanted to speak with him.” I had arranged a limited international calling plan on my cell and adjusted my settings so only my favorite contacts could ring through. My ex-boyfriend, Chad most definitely wasn’t on that list.
    “How’s he doing?” He’d been hospitalized after being attacked a few days before I’d left town. To send me a message, Maria had drained him almost completely dry and left him on my couch. Being a human-demon halfling, he’d survived, but not without some serious blood transfusions.
    “He’s okay, I guess. He actually seems to be the same ol’ Chad. He was only in the hospital for a day and a half, yet he walked away dating one of his nurses. Her name’s Betty or something like that.”
    “We’ll see how long that lasts.” I scoffed. Chad and I were together for two and a half years, during most of which he had cheated on me repeatedly. Thankfully, his demon half made him immune to STDs.
    “Anyway,” she continued, “I need to finish up here. I just wanted to relay the message. I’ll talk to you soon, okay?”
    “Okay, sweetie. Have a nice drive.”
    “Thanks, Kar.”
    I dialed Leo after ending my call with Eri, but it went straight to his voicemail. I had a feeling he was ignoring me, which was completely out of character for him. Irritated, I downed my beer in two gulps and signaled for another. Fuck it, if he didn’t want to talk to me, I’d keep myself entertained.

    Two beers later, the mysterious Connor slid into my booth. I was momentarily startled because I never saw him coming. Either I was spacing out, or he was quite stealthy. I’d put my money on the latter. My eyes automatically roamed the room until I found Takk. It looked like he was taking a picture of us with his phone. He was probably sending it to Leo, trying to convince him that I was screwing this guy. Asshole.
    “This must be my lucky week, running into you three times now.” He looked around before raising his glass. “It appears as if you’re drinking alone. I’d like to help you remedy that, if you’d allow me to do so. That is, of course, if your date isn’t taking another call?”
    I was intoxicated just enough to say, “Nope, no date. By all means, please join me.” I wasn’t drunk enough to forget that he was a vampire, but I wasn’t worried either. I could easily read his emotions, and all I got was curiosity with a side of desire. Maybe my mojo wasn’t working before.
    He took a sip of Merlot. At least that’s what I think it was. “So, you never told me before. What part of America are you from?”
    “Vegas.” I took a sip of beer. “Ever been?”
    He shook his head. “No, never. I’ve spent some time in New York and California but only briefly. Perhaps I’ll have to visit one day. What brings you to Ireland?”
    “I’ve always wanted to visit.” Not technically a lie. “My…friend had some business to conduct and offered to take me with him.”
    “And this is the same friend that was with you the other night?” 
    I nodded. “Yep.”
    “And where is he now?”
    I shrugged. “Your guess is as good as mine.”
    He smiled. “So he’s not your lover then.”
    I choked on my beer a little. “Excuse me?”
    He held up his hands in surrender. “Pardon me for being so forward. You see, I’m not a man