Chapter 7: Trolls and the Station

We arrived outside of what looked like a dilapidated building at first. As we approached, Chase raised his hands. The building rippled like a reflection on water when you touch it. Then before my eyes a portal opened and on the other side was a huge very modern skyscraper.

“Welcome to SIA, love,” he said with a smile.

I bite my lip. “Don't you think that you should just call me partner? Your boss is already going to hate me and if you call me anything else he might loathe me.”

Chase shakes his head. “You heard Niko. He won't hate you.”

I roll my eyes as a sigh escapes my lips. “Well, Niko talks a lot about nothing because he's hiding the good stuff. He knows something.”

We talk as we enter. Chase chuckles. “And that right there, my love, is why you're my partner.”

“Oh pinch me right here,” a guy who is fairly tall with long dark hair and these captivating eyes that gleam with mischief says as he turns his ass to Chase. “Because I must be dreaming. I remember a certain Prince Charming saying he would die before he takes on a partner much less a girlfriend.”

A huge mountain of a man says, “Me too.”

My eyes bug out and I squeeze Chase's hand. The guy with the long hair just oozes sex and sin and the other is just massive. He has to be well over seven feet tall and here I am standing just over five feet. I feel like a damn Smurf.

Yes, I knew he was a troll but I wasn't expecting this. I was expecting some slightly grotesque looking giant, not a mountain of muscle nearly twice my height and three times my mass. Chase runs his hand over my hair and then rests it on my shoulder. “Emma Knight, meet Trent Long and Mike Sexton.”

They each extend their hand. I look to Chase and I hear him tell me in my mind that it will be okay. I shake Mike's huge hand first. Surprisingly, he's very gentle. I see loss and sadness. Most of his family is dead or extremely far away. He's alone here. “I'm so sorry.”

“What for?” Mike asks.

But before I could reply, Chase says, “Emma just wait.”

I nod. Then I shake Trent's hand. He brings my knuckles to his lips. I see many lovers both men and women. Some died, others left. He too is all alone and I felt a pulse of energy. “Shit!”

Chase chuckles. “Mike, we need your office.”

Mike cocks his head. “Alright, but I don't see why.”

Chase smirks. “Just trust me, it will be worth it.”

We go into Mike's office where he shuts and locks the door. “Now what the hell is going on?!?”

“There's no reason to yell.”

“It's my damn office and my lead detective has lost his goddamn mind,” Mike growls.

Trent smiles. “Mike, it would be nice to have someone so lovely working here.”

Chase growls. I glare at him. “Chase, now isn't the time.”

Trent smirks. “Now that explains a bit of what I just felt.” He comes by me and starts playing with my hair. It kinda tickles. I know he doesn't mean me harm, so l let this play out. “Someone is possessive of this exquisite creature.”

Chase's growl intensifies. Trent ghosts his lips by my ear and down my neck.

“Enough!” Chase yelled as he started to glow and it looked like his arms were sprouting beautiful white and gold feathers.

Trent just laughs and kisses my cheek. “I knew it. Mr. Unattainable has found more than a girlfriend. He found his mate.”

“Impossible,” Mike huffs.

“Is it?” Trent asks before he ran his finger along my jaw. It just tingled like tiny pinpricks deliciously exciting your nerves. “She's not a shifter nor Griffin but his has claimed her.”

“Fuck me running!” Mike exclaims.

I giggle. Chase yells, “Emma!”

I shrug. “What? The mental image is amusing.”

Chase shakes his head. “Yes but…”

Trent interrupts, “Emma, you and I are going to be best friends.”

“Trent!” Chase yells.

Trent looks at him. “My allure doesn't work on her in case you haven't noticed. She's still fully clothed, her heart isn't racing, her flesh isn't pink, and her panties aren't damp. Also, her gaze drifts to you. I can't entrance her.  I feel her and she does me, but it's not any charms or allure.”

I just grin and shrug. Chase sighs. “Emma, you promised you'd be good.”

I smirk. “I did but I never said at what.”

Mike laughs and the guys snap their heads in his direction. “It was funny,” he replied as he crossed his massive arms over his broad chest.

“So he likes me teasing Chase, what's wrong with that?” I ask.

Trent explains, “He's a troll. He naturally hates anyone who isn't one. Even allures can only make him tolerate an outsider not like one.”

“I'm just likable.”

Chase growls. “Emma.”

I sigh. “Fine. I have some freaky allure that makes men go batshit crazy unless they're my mate.”

Trent winked. “Last I checked I'm not crazy.”

“Me neither,” Mike replied.

“Emma, tell them what you saw when they touched you,” Chase urges.  So I did. They just stare at me in both awe and confusion. There's no lust in their eyes so they won't go crazy around me. They do wish to know me, but I don't feel that pull like I do with Chase or that odd burning sensation that I did with Niko. I do feel that pulse though with Trent. What could that mean?

They aren't mates, at least I don't think so. Well, maybe Trent.  But I don't want a harem!

Mike asks, “Emma, what else can you do?”

I look away. Chase squeezes my hand. “Go ahead.”

“I almost sucked the life out of a stupid bitch.

And I can sometimes get images off of objects that are tied to strong emotions.”

“Like a death?” Trent inquires.

“Yes.”

Mike looks at Chase and says, “You want to take her to crime scenes.”

“I do,” he replies.

“I can't have her killing our suspects,” Mike warns.

“You won't,” he reassures.

“She could put herself in danger though,” Trent adds. He holds my hand. I just feel that tingling warmth. “There's no magic. This is just her

Perhaps she could learn magic but she doesn't outwardly use it.”

Mike lets out a breath. “Emma, you're rare.” He comes over and squats down. He looks into my eyes and sniffs me. “Niko!”