“Okay Ava, shh, shh. It’s okay now. Are you okay?” I asked as she pulled back and wiped her face. She nodded and I swallowed. I felt itching under my skin. I had to see him, ask him what the fuck had happened.
“I’ll be back,” I said, leaning in and kissing her.
“Where are you going?” She asked, sounding panicked.
“Just to talk to Mothman. Okay? I need to talk to him. I need… “ I sighed. “Look, I told you, I bit him, a mark like yours. It’s not entirely the same. I don’t understand it completely.” She stopped me, her fingertips resting on my lips, shushing me gently.
“It’s okay,” she said. I nodded and stomped back into the living room.
“You and I need to talk,” I snapped at the cryptid signing with Brandon. He pressed a hand to his chest in question. “Yes, you. Brandon, go check on Ava. Get her settled. She’s exhausted and probably won’t get a chance to rest once the cops show up.”
“Have fun with your little heart to heart,” Brandon growled at me, stomping over and leaving the room in a huff.
“He’s jealous,” Mothman said. I gave a snorted laugh. “I’m serious,” he said. I looked at him dubiously but he just looked right back at me with red glowing eyes. Brandon was jealous?
“Of what?” I asked in confusion. It couldn’t be Ava.
“Me.”
“You? Why?” I asked him.
“Because you bit me and not him.”He waited a moment. “You don’t wince anymore.”
“Your voice doesn’t bother me.”
“Interesting.Did you and Brandon have something before?”
“No,” I said quickly. Mothman smiled at my fast response and I grit my teeth. “Nothing,” I said. “Now let's talk about this supposed death.”
Mothman tilted his head and looked me over. My jaw twitched. He said nothing as he began fishing out a hand-rolled cigarette. He flicked open the metal case he kept them in and water poured out. He sighed and dumped them out on the table, moving them into a neat line to dry out.
“You were shot,” I said, looking down at the duster. I saw a hole stained a dark color. I hadn’t thought much of it. I knew he’d been fighting and he wasn’t acting wounded. My feet carried me forward.
“Show me,” I insisted. He rolled his eyes.
“Is this really what you want to talk about?” He asked, standing up, which put us far too close. I took a step back. He tilted his head in curiosity and began stomping forward, making me grit my teeth and move backwards. My back hit the wall, shocking me. Why was I retreating? He grabbed one of my wrists as he shoved me around, pushing me into the wall. My cheek pressed into the wood paneling.
“What are you pissed about? I’m the one who's pissed,” I seethed.
“Who said I’m angry?” He asked, pushing his body against mine. He pulled my arm behind me, keeping it firmly wrenched behind my back. His other hand pushed into my hair, claws scratching at my scalp. I jerked, trying to throw him off but he pulled my arm higher behind me, tightening the joint lock and causing my elbow to bite a little in pain. He pushed against me harder, smashing me against the wall.
“What do you think you’re doing?” I spat.
“Let’s talk about the mate mark,” he said.
“Let’s talk about Ava telling me you died,” I shot back. He scratched at my scalp some more and then he pulled the hand back. A moment later his cowboy hat fell on my head. Feathery antennae delicately brushed my cheek and I sucked in a breath.
“I was shot. I dispersed.”
“What?” I asked.
“My people, when we die we turn into moths. I didn’t let it stick.”
“You’re immortal?” I asked.
“If I have good enough reason to be. Most don’t survive dispersion. I’d never leave her though. I’d never leave the rest of you either.” His antennae brushed against my face again, tracing the edge of my bottom lip. “Now, you ready to talk about us?”
“You almost died,” I said, feeling shocked.
