Page 58 of Cursed Sight

Ethan nodded and threaded his fingers with hers. “Walk with me? It’s feeling a bit crowded in there.”

Serena narrowed her eyes. She wondered if he was upset with her about withholding such an important part of why she was the way she was. “Sure.”

Outside, the sun beamed down on them, and her body soaked in the warmth. It countered the goose bumps that the cool breeze had spread across her flesh. “It’s such a pretty day today.”

Ethan nodded. “How are you feeling?”

Serena shrugged. “I’m good. I think Peter and I came to some sort of a crossroad. It’s nice not having to be on the defense around him.”

Ethan nodded again. He was rather quiet, so she tuned into him and was relieved to sense him at peace. Releasing a cleansing breath, she told herself to calm.

“And the poison?”

“I feel great. Good thing I didn’t drink all of that champagne.”

“That’s a shame.”

Chapter 31

“Look, I know we wanted to celebrate y’all’s engagement today, but…” Peter said and ran his fingers through his short hair.

Ethan looked from Peter toward the direction Serena had gone. “But what?”

“You smelled something?” Ryan asked, understanding his friend better than Ethan did.

Peter nodded and released a haggard breath. Lowering his voice, he said, “Whoever I smelled in her place was here. I tracked the scent into the woods behind the house.”

“Max?” Brandy called, and they watched him and the others follow. “Have you had any visitors in the last twenty-four hours?”

He shook his head.

“No dates? Friends? Neighbors? People for the house? Nosy people? Nada?” Brandy asked.

“No, no one,” Max replied.

Peter uncrossed his arms and placed his hands on his hips. “Any animals?”

“N—wait, this morning a bird flew into the window, so I tended to it, but I didn’t bring it inside.”

Ethan twisted his wrist and looked at the time. “How long does it take for you women to pee?”

James chuckled. “Longer than you think. Get used to it, buddy.”

Andrea smacked him upside the head. “I’ll go check on her.”

Ethan gave her a kind smile and watched her walk away while he half-listened to the conversation around him.

“E?” Brandy asked, grabbing his attention. “What’s up with you?”

Ethan shook his head. “I can’t put my finger on it. Something—”

“She’s not in there!” Andrea cried, and the room went quiet.

He hurried toward her, Peter on his heels. “What do you mean she’s not in there?”

“Look, no one’s in the bathroom.”

“Fuck!” Peter growled as he reached his side. “That smell…”