Unseen Scene— Book Three, Chapter Five (Ava Version) (Patreon)

Ava does her best not to pay much attention to humans. She especially tries not to pay attention to this human.

This Bobby person is scum at its worse.

A judgement in no way skewed at knowing she once dated the Detective.

Not at all.

Ava’s thoughts of denial are cut through as the reporter begins speaking again, the words catching Ava’s attention more than any of the others Bobby has spewed so far.

"Maybe it would be better to catch you another time. It's always better when you're…alone."

Ava stiffens. “Detective [Surname] is rarely alone.”

“Really?” the reporter drawls, Ava amazed the one word doesn’t leave a trail of ooze. “That's a shame. Great things happen when it's just the two of us."

As if the statement wasn’t aggravating enough, Ava’s focus switches to the Detective beside her, their body tensing as their heart thuds a stiff beat.

Concern trickles through Ava, even as she tries to shirk the feeling away…It persists.

Bobby draws a thumb to her lips, swiping across them—likely to wipe up the invisible ooze from earlier. “That kiss last time we were alone…still makes me tingle.”

For many years, Ava has been unaffected by the obvious taunts of others. They meant little. Emotions draw too much energy away from what needs to be done.

But for many years, Ava didn’t feel such a connection to someone the way she does [Name].

And this information shatters her.

The sinking hole in her chest that has been with her for centuries breaks that much further.

She almost wants to laugh at the pained reaction. She has no right to it. No claim to make over the Detective’s feelings.

But jealousy stings like poison throughout her anyway—uncontrolled and burning.

Ava clenches her jaw, drawing on years of training to keep anything from showing.

"I'm sure the detective will find time for you if they so wish it,” she eases out, incredibly careful to keep each word even and casual. “But for now, we have work to do.”

The annoyance which pricks at the reporter’s face should give some level of satisfaction, but Ava is only interested in watching [Name].

Her attention dips to their perfect lips.

It’s impossible not to wonder what a kiss would taste like. The poison returns within her to know someone else took the chance she denies them both.

With a contained growl of anger at herself, Ava swings away from the scene and marches on, hoping distance will provide her with the clarity she so desperately needs…yet already knowing it will not.