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I’d done this so many times before, but for some reason, using him gutted me, and I hated it. Ethan didn't deserve this. How was I any different from the disgusting men who thought they could use me? Was it just supposed to be okay because I was owed justice—my revenge?

No.

Not like this.

Not to him.

Gripping the railing until my knuckles went white, I released the golden song’s hold that entangled Ethan’s mind.

He shook his head, his beautiful green eyes returning. Rubbing his temples, he pressed his palms into his eyes and stared back at me with a puzzled expression. “Sorry, what—what was I saying?”

You were saying that you’re entirely too good a person to be around me, and you should leave.

I forced a wan smile, guilt an anchor on my chest. “You were just saying it had been a really long day at work,” I replied quietly, fighting the urge to run as far away as possible.

“Oh, right…yeah. I’m pretty tired, actually,” he said with an awkward laugh. “Sorry. I felt like I was…somewhere far away…for a minute.” His face contorted in confusion as he shook his head.

“It’s okay. I’m pretty tired as well. I should probably get going…” I said, trying to hide how shitty I felt inside.

We stood staring at each other in silence, neither of us speaking, and both unsure of what to do next.

“I should⁠—”

“Yeah, I need—” I said at the same time.

We both laughed awkwardly as Ethan shifted forward, his hand gently brushing mine.

Warmth spread through my body from his touch. The ember he’d ignited earlier was now a smoldering flame, awakening something inside me—a yearning, hope, and desire for something I'd thought had drowned weeks ago. My pulse quickened, but was quickly replaced with a gripping fear.

The curse, my thoughts screamed at me. Remember what will happen.

I pulled my hand away. “I–I had a really nice time, Ethan,” I murmured. “Thanks for meeting me tonight. I had a lot of fun.” I took a step back, putting distance between us even though everything in me wanted nothing more than to close it.

Disappointment flickered across Ethan's face. “Sorry,” he said, flushing even in the dim light. “I didn't mean—” He sighed.

“No, it’s just…late.” I took a steadied breath and smiled back at him.

He nodded with defeat in his eyes. “Yeah, of course...” He paused, turning away and then back to me. “Hey, Evie? Can I…can I see you again?”

All of my alarm bells fired in my mind. Say no, I thought. Say no, go back to the water, and never, ever do this again. Those were the words I needed to say, the words that Ethan needed me to hear for his own safety.

But that’s not at all what I said.

“Yes…” I whispered, the words escaping my lips before I could stop them. “I’d like that.”

Ethan’s face lit up, brighter than the Ferris wheel. That genuine and kind face that had made me forget I would never actually have the life I was pretending I could.

“I’ll meet you down by the docks on Wednesday. Same time,” I said, slowly walking away before I could make any more stupid decisions.

Ethan’s voice trailed behind me, fading into the night. “Goodnight, Evie! See you then…”

I didn't look back, but I could feel his gaze lingering on me as I disappeared into the crowd. I made my way down to the darkest parts of the pier, slowly stepping onto the sand and into the water. As my body sank below the surface, the glamour faded just as quickly as it had come.

Tonight, I’d gotten information, some I knew and some I didn’t. None of it seemed to matter, though.

All I could think about was the way Ethan had looked at me as I’d ripped his free will away with my magic. His openness and trust—stolen from him with my own voice.

Diving deeper through the currents, I wove between the pier supports as the rush of cold water welcomed me home. The glamour fully disappeared, my tail cutting through the water as the darkness of the Bay embraced me.