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FLYNN

G unnar was fascinating, and I wondered why I hadn’t taken more time to talk to some of the other monsters who now lived here. I wanted to know more about where he’d come from because I didn’t think Iceland had trolls that lived there, but maybe they did. “You said you were from Iceland, are there other trolls there?” I asked as we walked from tree to tree.

“There are a few, but most live in the monster realm now. The human world is not a good place for us, or for humans if we’re there.”

“What do you mean?”

“I stopped eating humans because there were many other things to eat, and I hated that they were always so terrified of me.”

“I can’t imagine them being terrified of you.” I lied, and he rolled his eyes at me.

“If you saw me tear apart your workers before drinking down their blood and eating them whole, then how would you feel?” he said, and something in him changed. His friendly manner disappeared, and all that was left was a monster. His horns and fangs seemed to grow and become even more threatening while he seemed to loom over me.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to insult you,” I said, not really sure what else to say.

He smiled then, showing his white teeth and sharp fangs. “You didn’t. I just wanted you to understand I am a monster. There was never a time I’ve lived as a civilized creature before now, and only after going through the training they offered me at the center.”

“Are you all alone? I mean you said there were other trolls. Did you have a mate?” I hoped that was the right term.

“There were more of us but none of us were mates. Trolls can take a mate, but not many do.”

“Why is that?” I asked and stopped walking to face him.

“Most trolls do not like to share. Having a mate means sharing food, shelter, and everything else.”

“What about companionship?” I asked. I didn’t mind being alone, but I wouldn’t mind someone to spend time with.

He glanced at the ground and seemed to gather his thoughts before he spoke. Then he met my eyes. “I want to find a companion. I’ve grown tired of being alone.”

His expression showed me he was sincere, and the loneliness in his eyes explained exactly why. “There’s an app that helps monsters find their match. Sort of like a dating app.”

He wrinkled his nose at me before answering and where he’d only a moment before looked fierce and threatening, now he looked adorably awkward. “They showed us this during training, but I was never brave enough to try it.”

“I’m on it,” I admitted. “I wasn’t looking for anything serious, but I was curious about the app.”

“Have you used it?”

“No, I made a profile and scrolled some of the other profiles, but I haven’t tried to match with anyone. How about you?”

“I also made a profile, but I haven’t tried to match. I was afraid I’d end up with another troll,” he said and faked a shiver.

I laughed unable to hold it back and I would have sworn he smiled a little too. “Hey, maybe you’d meet a nice troll that wants the same things you do.”

“No trolls!” he grumbled and stomped off ahead of me.

I laughed again before jogging to catch up. “So, tell me who your perfect match would be,” I said, unable to stop myself and almost forgetting we were at work.

“Someone durable,” he growled and put his hand to his chin. “Someone who likes the outdoors.”

“Durable? Why dur—” I stopped when he gave me a look like I wasn’t getting what he was saying. “Oh, okay. Don’t need to know about that. So, someone who likes the outdoors. That’s good. What else?”

“I don’t really know. I suppose someone who is patient enough to teach me how to be in a relationship. How to share and be less selfish.”

“I’ve tried to fill out surveys about what I want in a relationship and it’s hard. But I think you’ve got it figured out pretty well,” I said and moved to another tree before marking it for cutting.

“This tree will be cut?” Gunnar asked.

“Yes, it’s not as healthy as the surrounding trees. The others will be stronger when it’s gone.” He stood back to look up at the top of the tree and I couldn’t stop myself from looking at his fangs and his ears that were slightly pointed. His skin had a slight grey tinge, and he was massive. Making me question where he’d found the flannel shirt, jeans, and work boots he wore because he was far bigger than anyone I’d ever met.

“Gunnar, do me a favor. If I ever choose the wrong tree, please don’t hesitate to tell me. I want to keep the forest strong, not make it weaker.” His strange dark eyes met mine then, and he nodded. Even though he looked fierce, and was definitely built to destroy, he had a gentleness and intelligence about him that fascinated me.

“I will do as you ask,” he said, and continued to walk tree to tree with me.

“Flynn, we’ve finished the last tree, should we start in this area?” Ben, one of the workers, asked.

“Yes, I’ve just marked one there. Gunnar, how about you work with Ben the rest of the day.” Ben’s eyes widened before he nodded and then led him off to the tree they’d be cutting down. Gunnar glanced back at me before turning and walking back to where we’d just come. I watched for a moment and then got back to work.