Monthly Bonus Content #2 — "Take your shot" (Ava Version) *Small Book Three SPOILERS* (Patreon)

“You both understand the rules we have in place?” the instructor asks as she hands us our paintball guns.

I grip the surprisingly weighty piece of equipment and throw a look over at Ava.

Her jaw is set as her nostrils flare.

Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea…

As the instructor moves away, we turn to head into the grounds. It’s more like some bizarre art gallery than a forest, the trees splattered in a mix of colours and small drops of paint dripping from the leaves. Solid haystacks have been arranged around the already difficult terrain to provide people maximum cover. Something I feel I’m going to need by the way Ava holds her gun close with a sudden intense stare.

I grip her arm to turn her to face me and offer a smile. “You do get this is only a game, right?”

“Games are for the youthful.”

I blink. “Wow. No wonder you’re having to learn how to have fun.”

Her face falls into a withered glare, and I can’t help but laugh, nudging her slightly with my elbow as we begin walking again.

“You are the one who asked me to participate in this, Detective—”

“Agent,” I correct her.

She clears her throat, her fingers tightening around the paint-laden faux-weapon. “Agent.”

I don’t know why but hearing that from her sends a thrill to course down through me like a scattering of fireflies through my veins.

Doing my best to ignore the pleasant sensation, I shrug. “I did ask you—because I thought it might be a nice break for you.”

“I need little rest.”

“A break isn’t just about rest. It can be about doing something different. To change things up and give your mind something new to think about,” I explain. “Something fun.”

Her brow quirks as she shifts the gun in her grasp to raise it up. “And you believed my idea of fun was to shoot you with paint?”

“Trust me. I think you’re going to enjoy it.” I take a few steps back as though we’re in a duel. “First person to score five hits on the other wins. Sound good?”

She sighs but nods. “Sounds goo—oof!” Her eyes glance down towards where there is now a glob of yellow paint seeping down the black body protection we had to wear.

Her gaze shoots back up to meet mine.

I grin…before taking off into the trees while calling, “Never let your guard down. You taught me that, remember?”

-

Five long minutes pass as I stalk through the trees, flinching at every twitch in the undergrowth, every crack from the distance. Ava is all solid muscled bulk, but I know that her vampiric abilities mean she moves with the agile stealth of a predator.

Creeping out from behind a tree trunk, I let out a small breath of relief when I see no one there.

Only to wince as something solid smacks into my shoulder blade from behind.

“Aah!” I yelp, swinging around to find Ava ten feet away with a smile teasing at the corner of her lips.

“Never turn your back on your opponent,” she comments calmly. “I also taught you that.”

I rub at my shoulder, regretting it instantly as blue paint coats my fingers, and purse my lips. “How can I not turn my back when I don’t where you are?”

“Then you must learn to overcome your inferior human senses and adapt to the enemy you are facing.”

“This was supposed to be fun, remember? Not an impromptu training session,” I say, shaking myself off ready for another round.

The teasing smile grows into something genuine that brightens and warms the green of her eyes. “Why can it not be both?”

A blue shot whizzes from her gun.

I throw myself to one side, managing to keep my balance as I watch the paint blob narrowly miss me and smash with a spray of goopy droplets onto the tree behind me. When I look back, Ava is gone.

A frown laces my brow.

Determination forces me on.

As agile and fast as Ava may be…she still leaves some deep footprints that are easy to follow in the soft mulchy earth.

-

The game continues on. I get a few more shots in after managing to follow her prints, but in turn she gets a few more as I’m making my retreat.

Soon, it comes to the last shot wins the game.

“You were right.” Her voice echoes through the trees.

“About?” I call in return, scattering a couple of birds from their perch above me as I turn and twist trying to find the source of her voice.

There’s a crunch of leaves from my right, so I spin on the spot while holding my breath only to have it stolen from my lungs as I’m pushed back against the thick trunk behind me.

Ava’s hand presses firmly on my shoulder to keep me in place, but I’m thankful for the wiggle room she’s left so that I can free myself if I wanted to.

Problem is…I never want to free myself from her. Not ever.

The tip of her gun is aimed at my well-protected stomach. “This has been more fun than I expected.”

I can’t help but smile. “See? You are allowed to just let go sometimes. But I have to say, I’ve had more fun than I expected too.” I tap my own gun against her thigh, drawing her gaze downwards.

It’s a rare occasion I get to see Ava surprised, even rarer that I get to hear her laugh. It’s like a melody meant only for me.

She lets go of her gun, which swings at her side from the strap on her shoulder. “I believe the game is yours.”

Now it’s my turn for surprise to catch my features. “You don’t want to win?”

She doesn’t seem to realise, but she leans in slightly closer. “I feel no desire to be the victor when it comes to you.” The words trickle through me with the sweetness of honey. “…I believe you have the advantage over me in all things.”

I swallow down the emotion that sticks in my throat, even as my heart hammers through me and tries to force me to say the thing I’d really like to say.

“Don’t dismiss yourself so easily,” I reply, wetting my lips and watching as her focus flicks to the motion with heated intensity. “Take your shot.”

I dare to close the gap, only a heated sliver of air between us now.

She half-smiles in a way that makes my body shiver with delight. “Are you trying to bait me?”

“I figure at least one of us should win.” I hold her gaze. “Or both.”

The smile falls as her gaze trails the lines of my face, gazing at me as though trying to burn my image into her memory. “I am unsure if that is possible when it comes to us.”

She takes a step away, and I dig my fingers into the bark of the tree behind me to make sure my body doesn’t follow.

“It was a good game, Agent,” she croaks out, turning to face away with a shake of her head. “I shall see you at the car.”

I watch her go before leaning my head back against the tree with a groan.