Monthly Bonus Content #2—Ava Version (Patreon)

Being the end of October, it’s far too late for the Harvest moon. Yet there’s a rich golden hue to the bright moon this night that I wonder if it held out just for the people celebrating Halloween. It certainly adds an eerie ambience as the shadow of the trees sway in front of it like shadows of ghosts set free for the night.

I try to press that spooky thought to the back of my mind, especially considering I have to actually go outside tonight and be amongst those potential ghosts.

Standing from my place at my window, I reach out to grab my fake sabers and thrust each into the sash at my hip before giving my large, flamboyant hat a slight tilt. The feathers attached to it sway forward and tickle my nose, so I blow them back up.

Pirate was an interesting choice of outfit, but as usual, the costume was decided for me by Tina’s enthusiasm.

Leaving my room, I don’t expect to hear any of Unit Bravo as they are supposed to be out on patrol. So when I hear footsteps echoing from down the hallway, I slow my steps and peer around the corner.

Ava paces a small path outside of the study, a wedge of paper balanced in her hands as she clicks her tongue at them as though they might shrink away at her disapproval. Though beneath her annoyed glare, I’m surprised even an inanimate object doesn’t flinch.

I’m about to walk out and say my goodbye for the evening when a much more tempting idea flitters across my mind.

A smile grows across my lips as I tug one of the plastic swords from its place.

Sneaking out from around the corner, she’s either too engrossed by the papers or must be thoroughly exhausted as I actually manage to get the jump on her for the first time, well, ever.

“What are you always drilling me about letting your guard down?” I ask through a smug smile as I place the edge of the plastic sword to her throat, careful not to press my chest against her back for fear I’ll lose the upper hand at the touch.

I can’t see her expression, but I can see the instant drop of tension from her shoulders at my voice.

“You wield a fake weapon. I believe I have little to fear in this moment,” she answers coolly.

I take the sword away as she turns to face me, swinging it a little in the air between us. “Then you’ve obviously never been whacked by one of these things. They can leave a bruise, let me tell you.”

She chuckles, the sound of it making the air vibrate around me, the feeling of it sinking across my skin and making me shiver. “I’ll take your word for it.”

“Why? Isn’t experience the best teacher?” I drag the other sword from by sash and toss it to her. She catches it with ease. I drop back on my heels and hold my sword out, playful challenge glimmering in my eyes. “En garde.”

Her brow quirks up. “You cannot be serious.”

“I’m holding a toy sword. Of course I’m not serious serious, but that doesn’t mean we can’t have a bit of fun before I go, does it?” I ask with a shrug.

“If that’s what you wish,” she replies finally after letting out a long breath. She places the papers down on the ground and stands, only to stumble back as I lunge at her.

“That was not in the spirit of fair play, Detective,” she comments, countering my attack with a parry that almost snaps my sword. Thankfully, the flimsy plastic bends but holds as I shuffle away readying myself for the next move.

I gesture at my costume. “I’m a pirate. Pirates don’t do fair.”

She laughs again, the amusement warming the green of her eyes and almost hypnotizing me. “I’ll try to remember that.”

Angling forward, she brings her sword down in an arc slow enough that I can easily dodge, twisting out of the way and circling around her until we’ve switched places.

“I get the feeling you’re holding back,” I quip, waving my sword forward so as she can just as easily defend against it and push the weapon away.

“I wouldn’t wish to harm you,” she replies, pulling her arm back in an obvious move that, once again, I can sidestep before getting one of the bruises I’d mentioned.

Although the moment is the most fun I’ve had in weeks, a strike of pain cuts across my chest at her words, and I flick my gaze up from concentrating on her attack to her gaze.

“Maybe holding back is what’s doing the most damage.”

Something sharp flashes across her eyes, but she drags her focus away before I get a chance to work out what it was.

My phone buzzes in the pocket of my faux-leather trousers, so I drag it out to find a message containing a lot of expletives as Tina is doing her usual freak out that her party isn’t going to be as good as the year before.

“I better get going,” I state, annoyed at myself for ruining what was going to be a treasured memory, but also angry at how true my words were.

Turning away, I make to head off, when Ava reaches for me and grips my arm with a gentle grasp.

I swing around to face her with an inquisitive frown.

Her chest rises heavily, and I try not to be affected by the sweet warmth of her breath as it falls over me. “I wouldn’t want you to forget your weapon.”

“What?” I glance down to the sword still gripped in her hand. “Oh right.”

I’m about to reach out for it when instead her hand falls from my arm to my hip, tugging the sash slightly away from my body with a hooked finger to slide the sword—slower then needed—back into place. Her fingers linger against me a while longer, and even through the layers of costume, her touch leaves a fire of caressing heat across my skin.

She draws back with a nod, a smile in her eyes even if not on her lips. “Enjoy your evening, Detective.”

“You too, Ava,” I reply, not bothering to hide my own smile.

As I head away, I can feel the pressure of her gaze on my back, and I’m almost tempted to stay a little longer to revel in the feel of it. It’s rare to enjoy the entirety of her attention so fully on me without her trying to hide it.

But I force myself on, hoping I can enjoy the night ahead without lingering thoughts weighing down on me of the vampire who affects me more than anyone else.