Unseen Scene— Between Book 3 and 4 (Farah) (Patreon)

Moonlight floods the overgrown path up towards the decaying façade of the Warehouse, as though knowing how weary I am and wanting to help guide me home.

Though it’s not this place that draws me here—it’s who I know is inside.

Stabbing my fingers against the keypad, the door clicks and swings open, revealing the lamplit foyer within. A waft of freesias and roses coats me as I step inside the circular area, a fresh bunch of flowers on the centre table looking cheery even in the gloom.

Footsteps rush down one of the hallways, but my body is too exhausted to even tense in concern. Though there’s no need to be on guard.

Farah emerges from one of the hallways, striding casually across the foyer before giving me a faux doubletake.

“Babe, you’re finally home,” she exclaims while moving towards me with a grin that turns the night’s darkness to sunshine.

“I am.” I place down my things on the sideboard. “How long have you been circling the foyer waiting for me?” I tease.

“Oh,” she says as she slides in close, wrapping her arms around me and kissing my cheek. “At least an hour and a half.”

Returning the embrace, I chuckle and ease out a tired sigh. “Well, you were the exact person I was hoping to see when I got back. Thank you for waiting up.”

She shrugs. “I can’t sleep without you around. You know that.”

I brush my fingers down her cheek. “With all the training I’ve been doing, I’m guessing that means you haven’t been getting much sleep at all then.”

She encourages me in closer to press our bodies together. “Luckily, your girlfriend is a vampire who doesn’t need much sleep.”

I bump the tip of my nose against hers. “That doesn’t stop me from worrying about you.”

Her bright smile returns, her eyes glimmering. “I love it when you say that.”

My brows jump up. “That I worry about you?”

“Yeah. That.” She leans in part way, and I close the gap, eagerly capturing the offered kiss.

Yes. This is home. This is exactly where I belong.

The thought, as well as her kiss, warms me through. The aches and pain of weeks of arduous training are dulled, the strength of what I feel for Farah replacing it with a shimmer of light and happiness that only she can offer me.

When I draw away, I can’t help but smile.

“How was your training today?” Farah asks, keeping one arm around me as we begin to walk upstairs.

I expel a groan. “Gruelling.”

“You are allowed to ask them to take it down a notch, you know,” she replies, concern creasing her brows together. “You don’t have to just take what they deal out.”

“I know, but…” I look down at my hands, clenching them into fists before opening them again. “It’s really making a difference. And the lessons I’ve been learning have helped prepare me.” I sigh and lean into her. “It’s hard, yeah. But it’s worth it. And the quicker I get through it, the better.”

Her lips purse. “I’m not sure that’s how it’s supposed to go.”

“I’ll be fine,” I state as we reach the top of the stairs.

She assesses me with an intent gaze that sends butterflies fluttering through me. “Doesn’t stop me worrying about you.”

I smile, hooking my finger through the strap of her dress to draw her in closer. “I love it when you say that.” My lips find hers again in another kiss that drives the last dregs of aching pain from my limbs. Her hands dip beneath my shirt and wander up the arch of my back, relaxing every tense knot of tension that she touches.

“I know…you’re…just trying to…distract me…from worrying about you…” she mumbles through our kiss.

I suck at her lower lip, encouraging a groaned breath from her. “Is it working?”

Her hand spreads across my lower back as her kisses move from my mouth to my shoulder. “It’s so working.”

My laugh turns to a gasp as her hands work—very effectively—at soothing every ache from me.