Blade — Kenneth Guthrie

Jonis is a thief and tonight he's out doing his business. He's been contracting to steal a particular sword, but finds himself at the mercy of a strange human. Things progress and a battle breaks out. Unfortunately, Jonis has a secret that will make fighting back a problem. The result will be a significant change in one combatant's life.
"You are pretty skilled," Jonis said.
"You aren't so bad yourself." A woman?
He looked at the shape standing there. The curves were clear now.
"I don't suppose we could talk about this?" he asked.
"I don't have discussions with thieves." She was direct.
That's what he got for trying to steal from the local police captain's home.
"What if I gave you back the sword?"
Eyes flashed in the moonlight.
"You think I can't take it if I want to?" she asked.
He hadn't meant it that way. This was one aggressive woman.
"Of course, you can, but I can give it back if you let me go."
He didn't think she would consider it, but he wanted to try. He would like to avoid bloodshed if he could.
She leaped forward as he jumped backwards and tried to run. She came up beside him and he saw her shadowy face as she shot past him and came out in front. The blade shot out for his neck again. He fell to his knees and went under her cut. He looked up at her. She was beautiful. More beautiful than any human, or otherwise, he had met in maybe the last 50 years.