I never seen a transition. I know I should look away, but peering creepily through the leaves at the ethereal being stepping into the almost still water was too captivating to let me close my eyes.

The setting sun seemed to drape the night over his brown body like melting chocolate over caramel. Where his feet touched the water, I could hear a gentle crackling and bubbling as glittering scales worked its way up his legs.

His neatly braided dreads floated gently in the water like an alive extension of him.

He lifted his arm just as something began to form between his fingers. A Triton! My jaw fell open. I couldn’t open my eyes wide enough to appreciate it.

Three pronged on one side, the Triton shimmered like diamonds glittering in the moonlight. I ached to be closer while simultaneously repelled by my own heritage.

My neck burned, indicating a natural warning that reminded me to run or prepare to fight. I’m barely a Hunter and I was simply supposed to report any suspicious behavior and radio in for backup. Not engage a TRITON!

I shook my head and looked again out over the water. A crown in that same diamond material was forming around his head and he was… oh no. He was looking right at me!

I couldn’t move. Dared not breathe.

All my Hunter training out the window as he disappeared beneath the surface of the water. No trace of him anywhere!

I eased from the brush and crept closer to the water. I had to see him, not understanding why.

Barely any ripples disturbed the surface and my dimming reflection peered wildly back at me reminding me to get myself together. I blew away a coil of my own hair and readjusted the cuffs clipped to my belt.

“No one has to know,” I whisper to myself as I turned to walk away.

Water splashed my face as something slender flew from the water just shy of my head. I barely had time to duck when I heard a thud a few feet beside me.

The sparkling Triton had impaled something large that lie motionless no more than a breath away from me. My heart sank at the sight. I didn’t even hear it approach.

“You know, for a Hunter, you’re REALLY bad at it,” a deep, sultry voice nearly whispered behind me.

I jumped. And turned to see the Triton standing at the bank of the water. Silhouetted in the moonlight, his dreads didn’t seem as alive as they were in the water.

His hazel eyes swirled and my heart leaped in my chest when he smiled his blindingly bright smile in my direction. My palms and arm pits started to sweat.

His broad shoulders and chest were decorated in what looked like diamond plaited armor that was tattooed with intricate patterns. His rank, maybe?

“Maybe if you spent just a little less time gawking at me, you could maybe keep yourself alive long enough to arrest me or call it in.”

My cheeks warmed and he burst into a hearty laugh that only deepened my blush and increased my desire to be near him.

“You’re under arrest,” I said softly, not trusting my my voice not to crack.

“And what are my charges, Madam Huntress?” he said, teasingly offering me both wrists.

I smiled, training finally overriding whatever feeling that overcame my good sense. “For the unlawful use of your Call on me.”

He raised a teasing eyebrow. And then cut his eyes toward the beast lying face down.

“AND the assassination of a Minotaur,” I added hastily, blushing again, realizing my mistake.

I quickly slapped his wrists in the cuffs feeling slightly triumphant. I wonder what the captain will think when I bring him in and I can’t wait to knock the smug grin off Tiffany’s face when I tell her I bagged a Triton!

“One problem,” he whispered, a knowing grin on his lips.

“What?”

“The Minotaur is not dead. I injected him with a high dose sleeping agent.”

I looked at the beast, noting a stunning lack of blood and subtle rise in its chest.

I frowned.

“And for the record, I never used the Call on you. I saw the Minotaur following you and figured you could use my help.”

My vision of a captain’s “good job” and imagined face of jealousy turned nightmare of ridicule and regret as I removed his cuffs.

“Happy Hunting to me,” I deadpan.