Fallen Sparrow

Maddie lived at the edge of the city. The arts district was filled with eccentric people. She was definitely one of them. Her little one-bedroom cottage sat very comfortably with the skyscrapers of the business district far in the background.

The property was bordered with overgrown bushes, sprinkled with tiny white flowers. The whole garden was paved with circle pattern and was littered with pots of all shapes and sized, even the window wore a bush of flowers along the bottom. Bees and Butterflies fluttered around their paradise protected from the harsh smells and fumes of the city. I unlocked her red door. She always kept it locked even if she’s home. As I locked the door behind me, the warm, delicious smell of her cookies hit me. “Oh, Maddison Anderson. You are a gift to this world.” I heard her laugh in the kitchen.

“Welcome, Coraline Sparrow, to my humble abode,” she answered as I entered the kitchen in an old timely British accent. Holding a tray of freshly baked treats, she had a smile that rivalled Axel’s. I took a second to admire her outfit today. Maddie had decided on a black skater skirt with a puffy red underskirt and a white shirt splattered with red fake blood stains. To complete the look, she wore black and white striped tights and black leather ankle boots. It was hard to believe based on her appearance that she was a teacher, but she definitely had a sweet soul. She never raised her voice to anyone or caused any sort of conflict. She always acted as the peacekeeper.

“Now, how can I help my stunning best friend today?” she chirped.

“I came for the cookies obviously.” Maddie smacked my hand away before I could swipe one.

“You know, I know you better than anyone,” her face fell serious, “you sounded troubled on the phone. What’s going on?”

“A couple of names came up in the case I’m working on… from the old neighbourhood.” She knew. I could tell by the slight drop in her face.

“Who?” she whispered.

“I don’t want to freak you out. You’ve been doing so well.”

“Who?” she repeated, more insistently.

I sighed, caving in, “Marcus Webber’s brother. He shot up Freddie’s diner last night,” I could practically hear her stomach drop. They’d had a few run-ins during her and Marcus’ relationship and after his death. He didn’t believe the abuse Maddie had accused his brother of and was also very aggressive when he found out I’d killed him.

“That’s awful,” she pushed out.

“You are safe, Maddie. I promise.”

She sighed, “I know. He doesn’t know where I live anyway. You made sure of that. Plus, Greg stays here most nights now.” I saw the small smile she tried to hide when she spoke about him. They’d been together for just over a year. They had been taking things slow, understandably. Maddie couldn’t even kiss him for about 4 months. He respected that. And I respected him for that. He knew what she’s been through and understood why she kept her distance.

“He’s a good guy. I’m happy for you,” I stated, reaching for her hand and placing mine over hers. She nodded and smiled, clearly thinking about him.

When I left that evening, I was nervous about leaving her. I usually was. The ride home and the elevator up to my apartment felt longer than usual. My eyes were drooping from exhaustion. The constant chatter of different thoughts in my head was forming a headache. The elevator dinged as it opened. Walking down the corridor, I suddenly became alert. The light was seeping out from under my front door. I unholstered my gun. Hiding next to the door frame out of sight, I pushed the door open. When there was no action, I peeked inside with my gun high and ready. His blonde made me relax, “Axel, what are you doing here?”

Seeing my drawn gun, he threw his hands up and quickly spoke, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you. I just wanted to talk.”

“About?” I said sharply. I didn’t mean to but I was tired and wasn’t expecting company. He frowned. “I didn’t mean to be bitchy. I’m just tired.”

He laughed. It was a low chuckle, that I could feel in the floorboards. “Well, I’m more than willing to take you to bed,” he flirted, approaching me. His smile was contagious. I closed my eyes, melting into the feeling of his hand on my cheek. “Tell me what’s going on?” I instantly opened my eyes again. He presented the napkin from the crime scene, “my beautiful Sparrow?” I didn’t want this to happen. This was the one thing that I didn’t want to happen. He’s been exposed. I’ve got too close.

I stepped back, “you need to stay away from me.” He clenched his eyebrows, confused.

“Tell me what’s wrong, Cora? If you tell me, I can protect you.” I couldn’t help but laugh quietly to myself. He had no idea. “Cora, what’s going on?”

“You have no idea what goes on in this city, in this world. They will eat you alive. I can’t lose you. I can’t do it.” The idea was destroying the walls I’d built up. I had to push him away. He couldn’t know.

“You don’t know what I know, Cora.” The tone of this voice snapped my attention to him. It was a low growl. His eyes were still the same colour so I was talking to Axel. He’s never threatening, especially with me. I could see his jaw clenching and fingers gripping onto the napkin. I stood as tall as I could with my eyes staring back into his.

“Don’t stop talking now, Detective,” I spoke sternly, “I’d like to know what you think you know.” He grabbed my arm, without a word, and pushed my sleeve up to reveal my tattoo. It was three roses in a triangle formation. It hid the mark that was burnt into my skin. As he swiped his hand over the area, my scar glowed orange. It was a skull with smoke exiting its open jaw.

“You’re a Ver,” he whispered, shocked. I wanted to say ‘not anymore’, but the reality was once you were in you could never truly leave. I looked at him in astonishment and my jaw dropped open. Axel continued, “I know what you’re going to ask. My mother is a gaze reader. I have a little power but nothing noticeable. I can reveal the unseen. Ironic for a detective, right?” he laughed, “but I have to touch the items.”

I silently was trying to process it. I’d met his parents. She was charismatic but I never even got an inkling she was anything other than an ordinary woman. Then again, she didn’t have a sign on her forehand that said ‘I’m a gaze reader.’

“How much do you know?” I asked, not commenting on anything he’d previously said.

“Not much to be honest. My mum never really talks about things. I learnt what I know from the few books she still keeps. She said she married a normal human to be in the human world. She didn’t want me to be involved.”

“It’s understandable Sometimes it’s better to be oblivious Than be stuck in this shit,” I stated bitterly, “there’s no going back. If you stay away from me, you won’t get pulled in. Me or your sanity? I suggest you choose the latter.” I removed my coat and threw it over the sofa. Slipping off my shoes too, I headed to my bedroom door. He caught my hand before bringing me into his chest.

“Cora, you are my sanity.” His lips brushed mine. They were tingling even after they’d left. He caressed my cheek, down my neck and towards my chest with his fingertips. Pulling the buttons on my shirt open, I couldn’t help moaning when I felt the cold air hit my skin. My breathing became deep and slow. Axel slid the shirt off my shoulders. When it hit the floor, he snaked his arm around the small of my waist. Tickling up my spine, he unclasped my bra and let it fall to the ground as well.

“Axe…” before I could finish his name, I was lifted. I wrapped my legs around his body. My bust pressed against his chest as he pushed me against him. He laid me down on the cold sheets. The rush was exhilarating as his lips kissed down my chest. I gasped when he nipped at my breasts. Rolling his tongue over my nipple, I could sense him peeking up to see my expression even with my eyes closed. He grinned against my skin as I moaned. My eyes rolled back in my head when Axel reached into my underwear to touch my sensitive spot. Rubbing his fingers up and down my folds, I moaned and gripped onto his hair. “I need you.” I wasn’t thinking. I pulled him back. I lifted his shirt over his head and started to unbuckle his belt. I flipped us over so I straddling him. My hips made small circles against him, teasing his crotch. He bit his lip. I was in control. I tugged his jeans down. His gaze never left me and I made sure he never had an obstructed view. His erection stood. When I lowered my mouth down, my tongue started at the base and trailed dangerously slow up to the tip before I took the whole shaft into my mouth. He instantly groaned loudly, gripping my hair in his hand. I rolled it to the back of my throat, keeping it there so he could feel my gag reflex. I kept my head bobbing up and down until I felt him tense. I retracted before he could finish. Axel frowned and I simply smirked. I crawled up his body rolling my hips and shoulders like a saucy tiger on the prowl. Straddling his hips again, I lowered myself onto him. The feeling of him inside me made me moan out of my mouth. I rode him leisurely. He had a full view of my body and wasn’t shy about looking. He wasn’t questioning my battle wounds or tattoos.

Suddenly, he shot up, changing positions slightly. It shot a quake of pleasure through my body and he knew it. It was his turn to smirk. I continued to move with him inside me. Axel’s lips found my nipple and began to suck it into his mouth. I encouraged him by pushing his head into my bust and arching my back. When I released him, he brought his head up to kiss me gently. “You’re a little vixen, you know that.” He flipped us back over and forced me down on the bed, pinning my hands above my head. I took a deep breath trying to control my arousal. He started moving, I could feel his shaft gliding against my flesh, sending an earthquake through me. I thrust against him wanting more of him. He took the hint and started going harder and harder until every pulse was knocking the air out of my lungs.

And then…