Paragon

⊰❉⊱ 8 ⊰❉⊱

As more time and alcohol passed, the mortals became more bold. Maybe that was not the right term. They became more truthful in many ways. To me, that meant an opportune time to understand what was really driving this outspoken and confident mortal that now spoke to my coworkers like they were long lost friends.

Quinn pushed her long dark hair past her shoulder and leant an elbow on the booth table we sat around. She sat beside Will, while I remained opposite with Jamie. Her piercing green eyes lit up in humour as she replied to the Irish.

"I'm not sure which women had the pains of dating you–but I earned my reputation as you put it–through actual skill at my job."

Jamie choked on his sixth pint of Guinness with a snort. "Forgive me love, but the way you look–any job would be a winner."

I cut a glare at him and kicked him harshly under the table. He yelped and Will smirked over the table. Quinn merely acted like it was all part of a normal evening. Who was I to know what her evenings were made of...

"Quinn." I said steadily, making her eyes flash up to meet my own over a fourth gin and tonic. "What made you want to become a lawyer?"

She raised an eyebrow at me with a smirk. Then set her glass down and set her arms upon the stained wood. "Why do I feel like I'm in trial whenever you ask me something?"

"Trust me you're not the only one." Will drawled beside her.

I waited for her answer as she considered this. "If you think I'm about to start a speech about doing the right thing I think I'm going to disappoint you." She warned.

Jamie and Will laughed loudly while I continued watching. She seemed to be deflecting.

"I already gathered you were not a walking cliché, Miss Adams." I responded flatly as I turned the ice cubes in my glass.

Her heartbeat spiked at her name despite her cool expression. But before she could give me a straight answer Jamie supplied for her. "Forget this interrogator–" He jutted a thumb at me. "–Will and I can keep the conversation interesting."

"How are you going to do that?" She asked with a laugh. It made me watch the details of her lips. The edge of her jaw. The scent of her blood overpowering me, its rich, sweet scent made everything want and crave–I felt my teeth grow into points without even registering what was happening.

I stood abruptly. "I'll be right back."

Will cut me a sharp look despite the booze. A look that assumed this would be a repeat of the number of times I would vanish from a social night.

"Everything good, Fletch?" He asked as I made to step away from the booth.

"I forgot to arrange an appointment." I responded simply before turning from the booth and feeling their eyes upon my back.

My thoughts were clouding into hunger and need the longer I sat across that chair from the mortal. I had never come across such sudden drive. A lack of control I had mastered a long time ago. Now it felt like year one all over again.

I dodged the last of the crowds and almost threw myself through the doors to hit the cool night air of London. I took a deep breath in through my nose. Then I tilted my head up and let it go through my mouth. There were few on the streets at this time in winter other than to smoke or jump into cabs.

I took this moment to lean against the stone wall of the bar and watch a few mortals drunkenly stumble into a traffic cone. I let out another breath and turned my eyes to the half moon above. The ghostly shine wrapped in a mist of cloud. The one thing I hated about the city centre–you could never make out the stars.