Elysia cuffed him, a sense of delight coursing through her. "I knew you were the murderer from the beginning," she said, her tone triumphant.
"Detective Elysia, you kicked in that door with gusto. Your reaction time and grace as you apprehended me was magnificent."
"It was?" Elysia said touching her cheeks as she blushed.
Luna ran down the stairs, her body soaked from her shower. "Elysia, what is happening? Ignatius is innocent." She clung to him as he stood, his hands cuffed behind his back.
Ignatius kissed her forehead. "Calm down. She is only doing her job."
"Please do not hold it against Elysia. She is still our friend. My feelings have not changed."
Ignatius winked at her. He whispered in her ear. "Someday, I will plough both of you together."
Luna swallowed. Her mouth full of saliva. She touched her heart. She felt breathless. "Okay, it's a promise."
Luna kissed him as Elysia pulled him out of the store. Elysia did not look at Luna or her tears hardening her heart. Her two officers prevented Luna from further interaction. Elysia sat in the back with Ignatius securing her suspect.
But as Ignatius complimented her on her fast reaction time. Professionalism, a seed of doubt planted in her mind. He had no negative words for her, being gracious towards her. She locked the cell, and he stared into her eyes. "Have a good night's rest, detective. You need to be sharp tomorrow."
Elysia did not understand the man she had locked up. "I… I will thank you, Ignatius."
"There is a blanket under the bed if you feel cold tonight." She rushed from the cells to her desk.
That was lame, she thought, a blanket under the bed. Why could I not have said something amazing?
After work, Elysia couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss. She voiced her doubts to Chief Magnus, who was finishing his cigar in one pull. "You better be sure that he is guilty," Magnus warned, his tone gruff.
"I do not feel comfortable around the man, but if he is innocent."
Magnus gave her an appreciative look. "Take your pretty ass and make sure he is your man."
"Talk to his partner; she might have evidence that he is the murderer."
He blew on a new cigar. The tip glowed red, and then he took a few puffs.
"We can only hope. We should get the barber in to cut his hair."
Elysia placed her hands on her hips. "That is against the law, and you know it."
Elysia interviewed Luna. Luna determined to prove Ignatius's innocence.
Despite her initial dislike for Ignatius. Impressed by Luna's determination and sincerity. They began to bond over their shared goal.
"What did you guys do between three and four on the day of the murder."
"You told me you were together at the market when the goblins attacked."
"What did you do after that? It happened a few minutes later."
Luna looked at Ayla as she talked to patrons. Her lovely and vibrant personality could win over the grumpiest of customers. She had heard her moan when Ignatius had taken her to his room.
She focused on Elysia. She could not tell her that she had kneeled and sucked him dry. "We rested after the ordeal. The violence had taken its toll on Ignatius. He is a gentle soul."
"I have seen violence as a detective, but remember, he is a civilian."
Elysia remembered the wizard and his blood. She blushed, recalling the experience. Luna could see the woman was recalling the blood-sucking incident. Elysia cleared her throat. "Is he such a gentleman?"
"Look around you, Elysia. He is surrounded by women who worship the ground he walks on."
Elysia laughed, feeling silly. "They worship him. Sounds like he is a real pushover."
"The only danger he presents is getting you on your back or bending you over."
Elysia coughed. Her coffee had gone down the wrong hole. "You mean he has taken you as well."
Luna looked at her hands. "Yes."
"That's interesting. You must have history."
"Yes, and not a good one," Luna said, sounding depressed.
Elysia patted her back. "I will help you with him, my friend."
"Let's try our best."
"He is but a man."
Luna felt elated inside but did not show it. Elysia kissed her hand. May I partake in courting him as well? Luna nodded her head.
"Soon, I will see Ignatius make love to you and me together," Elysia said shyly.
"Wait, you mean a threesome," Luna said, elated. She looked up with puppy dog eyes. "Will you love me too?"
"Yes, you know it already," Elysia said, kissing her hand.
Elysia sat back in her seat. She cleared her throat, fidgeting with a napkin. "I will. If you are okay with it."
Luna took her hand, staring into her red eyes. "Let us do our best together."
Elysia stood and kissed Luna goodbye. She needed to get home and rest before tomorrow. She would confirm their alibis. The townsfolk must have seen them together.
************
Luna's alibi was verified early the following day. They were seen together at the time when the murder took place. Chief Magnus, still sceptical, wanted to hold Ignatius for another day.
They had no other suspects. His dislike for Ignatius was evident. He believed Luna would say anything to keep her lover out of jail.
Luna sat outside the coffee shop. The gentle creak of the wood in the distance on the docked boats was a comforting sound in the still night. The moon cast a soft glow over the ocean.
She clutched the ring from Ignatius. She realised how much she missed him. She wanted him and needed him. Her mouth filled with saliva as she thought of his….
A knock on the table interrupted her thoughts. Elysia stood at her side, her face serious but tinged with empathy.
"Luna, may I join you?" Elysia asked.
"Of course," Luna replied. Kissing Elysia as she sat next to her. They stared into each other's eyes.
Elysia broke the silence first. "I came to see how you're holding up. Ignatius has been in lockup for two days while we compare his handwriting to the letters."
Luna sighed. Her eyes filled with sadness. "I miss him, Elysia."
Luna sighed, chin in her hands. "I want him to know how much he means to me."
Elysia reached out, placing a comforting hand on Luna's arm. "I know, Luna."
Elysia looked at the stars. "And we're doing everything we can to clear his name."
"Magnus had written a letter to the capital asking for help," Elysia said, kissing her hand.
"They would let him know when their top handwriting experts finished the analysis."
"He wanted to deliver Ignatius to the capital. Convinced that Ignatius was the murderer."
Elysia took a deep breath before continuing. "We discovered something interesting."
"An antique cane."
"With a purple crystal skull."
"Missing from the scene."
"The public does not know this detail."
Luna realised how much Elysia trusted her. She leaned closer, kissing her. "Thank you for your confidence in me."
Elysia responded in kind, holding the kiss. Taking Luna's hand, she said. "The evidence shows that a second person committed the theft."
Luna's eyes widened in surprise. "A second person?"
"Does that mean you now believe me when I said Ignatius is innocent?"
Elysia nodded, her frustration evident. "Yes, but we haven't found any clues yet."
"It's frustrating," Elysia said as she snapped a pen in half with three fingers.
The sound echoed down the street as patrons turned to look at the detective.
Luna felt a glimmer of hope. "We'll find the real culprit, Elysia."
Elysia managed a small smile. "Thank you, Luna."
She squeezed Elysia's hand. "Your support means a lot."
"We'll keep working on this."
Elysia leaned in for a kiss.
"Together, we'll find the truth."
Luna kissed her again, her soft lips easing her worries and strengthening her resolve. "I won't give up. Ignatius is too important to me."
"He needs to know that my love for him is genuine."
"I want him to make us his women. "I want to see him plough you, Elysia."
Elysia's eyes widened. "I want to see him plough you too."
They laughed "foo, foo, foo."
Two women sipped their coffee, enjoying each other's company. Planned their next move.
Christie stood near their table, grinning.
*********
The warm, inviting atmosphere of Silvi's Coffee Shop. Now included a touch of nature's enchantment. Ayla, the dryad, had become integral to Silvi's coffee shop and the family.
Her presence brought a unique charm. Her connection with the plants around the shop made the space feel more vibrant than ever.
Luna, always caring and thoughtful, decided to take Ayla shopping. They strolled through the bustling market.
Luna helped Ayla choose new clothing and essentials. She marvelled at the variety of garments, and Luna enjoyed watching her excitement.
Later that night, Luna froze when she crawled into her bed. "Hold me, please," Ayla said. "I miss Master."
Luna wrapped her arms around the dryad. Ayla had spent the last three nights in Ignatius's room. Now, seeking comfort in his absence.
Luna remembered how she and Gigi used to hold each other after the men left for their respective homes. They fell asleep in each other's comforting embraces.
Early, before dawn, a knock on the door interrupted their sleep. Christie peeked inside. Her eyes filled with concern. "Is everything okay in here?"
Ayla nestled closer to Luna, who held her. "We're fine, Christie. Just... comforting each other."
Three women prepared two baskets of food. The cook made all of Ignatius's favourite foods. They headed to the police headquarters. Ignatius had been incarcerated for four days, and the three were determined to lift his spirits.
Ignatius's eyes lit up with joy when he saw them. Setting up a blanket on the floor outside his cell. Each of them got a kiss through the bars.
Ayla held her dress, swaying from side to side. "How does it feel in there."
Luna held the bars as she stared at the man she fell in love with. "Do you need another blanket? The evenings are chilly."
Ignatius tussled their hair. "This has the same feel as the campus dormitory."
"Less noisy, though." Christie laughed. "No drunk students in here."
Ignatius pointed at Christie. "You know it, girl."
As they spread the food on the blanket and began their impromptu picnic, laughter filled the air. Elysia watched, leaning against the door frame, a pang of envy in her heart.
Luna motioned for her to join. She shook her head. Luna understood and threw her a kiss. Elysia caught it and pressed it to her lips, placing her hand over her heart.
She longed to join them but dared not, knowing Chief Magnus's fiery temper. If he or any of the officers walked in, she would be done. He was a suspect, and she could not show him favour.
**********
True to form, Magnus grumbled as he paced in his office. He walked to the holding cells to check on the criminal. He found Elysia leaning against the door frame, staring longingly at Luna and the picnic. Magnus cast disapproving glances at the cheerful scene. "This is unheard of," he muttered.
"A picnic in jail! Three gorgeous women feeding him through the bars... what has this town become?"
She has found someone she cares for, and Magnus acknowledged it to himself. He had known Elysia since they were children. He was relieved he had worried that when he died one day, she would be alone in this cruel world. Why Ignatius and Luna? You can never tell, he thought.
Despite his grumblings. Seeing Ignatius's happiness brought a reluctant smile to Magnus's face. He mused there was something to say about moments of simple joy, even in the unlikeliest places. He could see the longing in Elysia's eyes. His heart melted as he looked at his old friend. He grumbled to ensure they did not slip him a key or something.
Elysia saluted. Yes, sir. She joined the picnic, sitting next to Luna.
Magnus walked to his office with a big grin. He remembered what a hard time Elysia had in school. She was bullied and teased for being an elf vampire who walked in daylight. She had crushes like he had. Yet, she could never seem to find one guy who would take the risk with her. One day he mustered up the courage. He wanted to bend her over a school desk, but she slapped him, making her feelings on the subject clear. She was like a sister to him—a very hot sister.