Page 25 of Trolling For Love

His eyes fluttered as he fought for consciousness and a small amount of blood ran down his brow. “Gunnar?” he groaned. “What happened?” He struggled to open his eyes and tried to sit but he was in no shape for either.

“We were attacked. Vince Drummond has a troll killer blade,” I said, but I knew he wouldn’t know what that was.

“Did he hit me with it?”

“No, love, he hit you with a branch. He knew I would never leave you injured. He ran through the portal.”

“We need to go after him,” Flynn said, and tried again to get up.

“You can’t. You’re injured.”

“What’s a troll killer?” he asked and had yet to open his eyes.

“It’s an ancient blade forged by elves. It has the power to kill a troll instantly with a small cut but as he was entering the portal, he said it works for other creatures too,” I said and knew this was so much worse than we had imagined. “Flynn, I think he’s killing monsters in the realm. Not all monsters are fierce or can protect themselves from humans.”

“Why would he do that? There has to be something in it for him,” Flynn said as his eyes finally fluttered open. “I know my uncle well enough to know he doesn’t do anything for free.”

“Some monsters have qualities that are said to be magical or healing,” I said, and Flynn sat up.

“He had an export business years ago. I never understood it because he never had a storefront, and he never traveled. But he always had money. Maybe his exports have to do with monsters, or other things he gets from the monster realm?”

“I need to go through the portal.” I knew it was forbidden without permission, but I didn’t want to wait until something else happened.

“I should go with you,” Flynn said and tried to stand.

“No, mate. You stay here. I won’t be long, I promise.” I kissed his forehead next to his wound and hoped he’d be okay until I returned.

“Gunnar, promise me you won’t take any chances with him. If he has a blade that could kill you, I don’t want you to risk it.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll speak to the kappa and see if they know anything. I’m hoping this portal is also near their kingdom.”

“What if you get lost?” Flynn asked, his eyes full of worry.

“I won’t. Do not worry, I swear I will return. There is nothing that could keep me from you,” I said and hoped it was true.

Chapter 22

FLYNN

Iwatched as Gunnar stepped through the portal and as soon as he was gone it felt like someone had stabbed a hot blade into my chest. “Agh,” I grunted and grabbed at it with my hand. “Fuck, Gunnar, you better come back to me.” It was still early in the day and the warm sun was comforting but then a feeling of having my chest torn open hit me. “What the fuck,” I groaned and rubbed at my chest. The pain subsided from the sharpness it had been but still I could feel it. Like a piece of me had been torn out.Gunnar.I didn’t know what it meant. I hoped it was from us being separated and not that he’d been killed. He said we were now connected and part of me was happy for that connection. But I hoped the pain I felt wasn’t from his death.

I lay back down and fell into a fitful sleep, the pain in my head nothing compared to the ache in my chest.

“Flynn,” someone said and shook my shoulder.

“Wha—Gunnar?” I said and sat straight up.

“No, sorry, it’s just me.” I managed to open my eyes and was shocked to see Gene Redmond sitting in front of me.

I shoved him back and shuffled away from him. “What are you doing here?”

“I wanted to make sure you were okay. Vince told me he was going to go through the portal today, and I know you and Gunnar have been trying to figure out what he’s been up to.”

“What do you mean?” I asked in a low voice.

“I know you think I’m involved with him but I’m not.” He dug in his pocket for something, and I got ready to be shot or stabbed or what other fate he would dole out to me. “Here.”

He handed me his wallet and just inside was a badge. “What’s this?”

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