He continued to stare out the window. “They didn’t wipe out witches either.”
“Yeah, only because we outnumber any other species. Even them. If they could have, they would have. We’re just as dirty to them as werewolves, not that they succeeded there either.”
“Who cares about the Vampire Cathedral anyway? Just a bunch of snobby vampires. As if they’re in any condition to judge anyone for not being a pureblood.” He turned from his focus out the window and looked at me. “You really don’t know much about fairies, do you?”
I shook my head. “Not a ton, I guess. Since you can change your appearance, maybe I’ve met several and don’t know it, just like you told me before.”
“Pretty boy led a sheltered childhood, eh?”
I shrugged. Not responding.
He leaned over playfully. “Hey, I’m not saying it’s a bad thing. Those sheltered types are typically the best in the sack. No wonder you’re such an enthusiastic lay.”
“Shut up.” I rolled my eyes at him and shoved him away.
“So, you’re not opposed to telling your folks about me?”
“You were the one who made fun of me for bringing up being introduced to your family. We’re not even an hour into the date, and you’re wanting a commitment from me about talking to my family about you? Who says there will even be a second date?”
“Touché. Okay, no more talk of parental introductions.” He leaned back in his seat, the back of his right shoulder resting on the passenger window and door panel. “But we both know there will be a second date.”
“Confident. Very confident.” A spot opened up in the lane to our right, and I pulled the truck in, cutting off the driver behind us when she realized she’d zoned out. “Pride goeth before a fall, you know.”
“There will be a second. And a fifth.”
“A fifth? Talk about jumping ahead.”
He grinned, only a little playfully, mostly with a sweet expression. Very un-Schwint-like. “What can I say? You know when you know, you know?”
I tried to laugh, but it was a little too serious. “Uh, you remember me saying I’d just gotten my heart broken, right?”
He shrugged. “Yeah, I remember. A guy named Brett.”
Flinching, I looked over at him, racing though our conversation under the tree outside of Panaderia. “How did you know that?”
“Well, that first day when your dick was in my mouth for a few hours, you kept saying the name Brett over and over again.”
“Oh.”How should I respond to that?
“Listen. I don’t know the whole story, but I get that you’ve had your heart ripped out. I also get that your little excursion on the dark side at the Square was probably prompted by this Brett guy. It’s obvious that you’re working through some shit.”
He paused, probably waiting for some type of response. I didn’t offer any.
He continued, a little softer but sure. “I also know what’s sitting across from me. I’ve been through my own share of heartbreak. And a lot of assholes. I can see what you are. And I like it.”
Again, he paused. Again, I kept my eyes trained on the traffic ahead.
“So, this Brett guy… what is he? Another warlock, or did you go the human route?”
I didn’t look over at him. “Part fire demon and part something else. He left me before we found out what the other part of him was.”
“Woah! Part fire demon? Are you serious?”
I nodded.
“Maybe you aren’t as sheltered as I thought. That’s intense.” He was quiet for a moment as he thought. “Part demon, huh? Did this guy, uh, look like a demon?”
I nodded again.
