Chasing Shadows

Chapter Ten: Fractured Lines

The air was thick with tension as Ethan sat on the edge of the bench, every muscle in his body coiled tight like a spring ready to snap. Zane, on the other hand, looked completely at ease, leaning back with his hands resting casually on his knees. There was no hint of aggression in his posture, no menacing gleam in his eyes. Just a calm, steady presence that seemed to fill the empty space between them.

Ethan couldn’t figure it out. He should be angry, or at the very least wary, but Zane’s lack of hostility threw him off. He shifted uneasily, eyes flicking to the shadows at the edges of the alleyway, half-expecting some kind of ambush. But it was just the two of them—no tricks, no backup.

“Relax,” Zane murmured, his voice low and unthreatening. “I’m not here to fight. I meant it when I said I wanted to talk.”

“Talk about what?” Ethan’s tone came out sharper than he intended, and he winced, but Zane didn’t react to the hostility. He just tilted his head slightly, as if considering his response.

“Anything you want,” he said simply. “We can start with the basics. Like… what’s your favorite food?”

Ethan blinked, thrown off by the question’s simplicity. “My—what? You think I’m going to sit here and chat with you about… food?”

Zane shrugged, a small smile tugging at his lips. “Why not? It’s a neutral topic. And hey, who knows? Maybe we’ll find out we have something in common.”

The sheer absurdity of the situation almost made Ethan laugh. He shook his head, running a hand through his hair as he tried to process what was happening. “Okay, fine,” he said eventually, the words tinged with disbelief. “I guess I like sweet food..and also pizza. Pepperoni, specifically.”

Zane’s smile widened, but it was gentle, lacking any of the malice Ethan had come to associate with him. “Classic choice. Can’t go wrong with pepperoni. I’m more of a Margherita fan myself.”

Ethan snorted, unable to stop the small smirk that curved his lips. “Seriously? Out of everything, you go for the plainest pizza?”

“It’s not plain,” Zane countered with mock offense. “It’s simple. Pure. There’s an elegance in the balance of flavors—tomato, mozzarella, and basil, working together in perfect harmony.”

“Uh-huh,” Ethan muttered, rolling his eyes. “So, what, you’re some kind of pizza connoisseur now?”

Zane chuckled, the sound soft and genuine. “I guess you could say I have a taste for the classics.” He paused, his gaze growing more contemplative. “You know, I think this is the first time I’ve heard you laugh.”

Ethan stiffened, the small moment of levity slipping away like sand through his fingers. “Yeah, well… don’t get used to it.”

“Why not?” Zane asked quietly, and there was something almost sad in the way he said it. “It suits you.”

Ethan didn’t know how to respond to that. The compliment—if it was one—felt too personal, too sincere. He looked away, his jaw clenching as he tried to ignore the strange warmth spreading through his chest.

“This is… weird,” he muttered, more to himself than to Zane. “Why are you doing this? Why are you being nice to me?”

“Because I’m tired of all the lies,” Zane said softly. “I’m tired of pretending that I’m just some heartless villain. I know you don’t believe me—hell, I wouldn’t believe me either—but… I’m not the monster they say I am, Ethan. I just want you to see that.”

Ethan’s throat tightened, his mind flashing back to everything he’d been taught, everything Asher had told him about Zane. He’s dangerous. He’s trying to manipulate you. Don’t let him get inside your head.