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My interactions had been around non-stop rot for weeks, including Layne. They always had that gross, entitled sense of confidence, darkness oozing out before they even opened their mouths.

Ethan was…different.

Hell, he seemed surprised to have even gotten this far into the conversation.

The sharp knife of hunger twisted again in my stomach, and I fought to keep my face neutral. A constant reminder that I wasn't free to simply exist on land anymore. I knew I needed to feed soon, but my curiosity about this man was stronger than its ache, at least for a bit longer. If I wanted to get answers, real answers, then magic would do just that.

I leaned forward, my gaze low and gleaming into his. “So, Ethan Ward,” I paused, my voice dropping low, the golden song wrapping around my words. “Tell me why you’re really here tonight.” If Ethan was hiding any darkness, my magic would drag it right up to the surface.

My words dripped like golden honey on his tongue, and he drank them in with ease. Ethan's eyes glazed over in a golden smoky haze, and his body went slack. He leaned obediently towards me, his words slow and distant. “I made a promise to myself and a co-worker that I would get out of my comfort zone.” He swallowed. “And…I don't want to be alone and forgotten about…I’m not really good at this sort of thing, but I’m here, trying not to make a fool of myself…but I have definitely already failed.”

Ethan blinked, disoriented and confused, his forest-green eyes returning to their normal color. “Er, sorry…I don't…I don’t know why I said that,” he laughed, scratching his head. “I drank…whiskey?” He shrugged and grinned nervously back at me.

I stared blankly before reminding myself to smile. The honesty and sincerity in his words were not what I expected to hear. There really wasn't any darkness in him at all.

How is that even possible?

“Well, you don’t seem like a fool to me,” I said, unable to help myself as I continued the conversation, whether it was because I felt sorry for him or just pure intrigue. “But maybe I’m missing something, and you’re actually awful?” I mocked, shrugging playfully. “Who knows?”

“I mean, I guess it depends on who you ask. You could ask my cat, Teddy. She’d give me a great review,” Ethan said, quipping back.

I could tell he thought that was a really good line, and I wasn't going to admit out loud that it kind of was.

Ethan continued, “Nope, there’s really not much more to me. I don't really go out much. Like…at all.”

You and I both, I thought.

I laughed, loud and genuine. The sound was so foreign to me now. I was so used to putting on a show just to reel in the usual pigs, so it was strange to be doing something this normal.

For a moment, I found myself at a loss for words, the silence taut, but not uncomfortable. I sat back, studying the way the neon lights played across his sharp and chiseled face. I wasn’t used to such a masculine-presenting guy being so open and fragile like this.

Not to mention he’s incredibly hot, I thought, my face flushing at the intrusive thought.

The way he looked at me was so distant, like a faded memory. He looked at me like he wanted to know me, truly know me. Not possess or consume as most men did.

“You said your co-worker wanted you to get out…” I said, realizing I’d been staring.

Ethan nodded, trying to hold back the embarrassment. “Yep, that would be Joyce. My work fairy godmother, I guess you could call her.” He laughed at his joke. “But, really, she’s my friend.”

I smiled and leaned forward. “So when you’re not having therapy sessions with your friend Joyce, what does Ethan Ward do in Seattle for work? Let me guess…you work in Tech?” I asked, already regretting it because what the hell would I say if he asked what I did?

Ethan laughed and shook his head.

How long had it been since I’d had such a casual conversation? Admitting that it felt nice would be the truth, but nice was dangerous. My brow furrowed, and I shook my head, realizing I was making way too many mistakes because of him. I needed to end this conversation quickly and get back to hunting before I was in the same situation I’d been in with Jake.

Ethan’s face searched mine as he saw the distressed look on it. He fidgeted with his hands. “Oh, it’s really boring...I work at Willows Realty Co. downtown as a paralegal.”

The words sent a jolt of electricity through me. Waves of confusion and anger rippled through my body. Images of the white placard nailed to the door of Dad’s shop flashed in my mind.

Ethan’s voice droned on in warbled tones as he continued to explain about what he did, how long he’d been there, but all I heard was my heart pounding in my chest.

Did he really just say that? No way this is happening again. The Willows company…Preston.

Steeling my face, I cut him off mid-sentence and asked, “Sorry, you said Willows Realty?”

Ethan paused and looked at me, puzzled. “Yeah. I know it's not that cool, but it pays the bills, and—” His expression seemed to register something, quickly changing to a look of concern. “Oh, wait, you must've heard about it on the news, right?” He shifted uncomfortably in his seat. “My boss, Jake McKinney, was just found dead out on the shore. He washed up with his—” Ethan paused, his voice trailing as he searched my face. “Sorry, that was dark. It’s been a weird few weeks…”

No. Fucking. Way.