Page 62 of Entranced By the Basilisks

I tremble, full of blazing emotions I hardly recognize. Frustration at my failures, fury at the world and myself for being the way they are, annoyance at this confusing man, and a burning desire to claw into the tension between our bodies. Because each moment we spend pressed together is shifting the sear of anger into a need I barely recognize.

Ari leans toward me as if begging me to hit him. His gaze is intense and holding me on the edge of combustion.

“Is that rage in your eyes, or hunger?” His lips ghost over mine, spice and absolution with one brush.

I’m not hungry. I’m ravenous.

There’s a crash and the sound of breaking glass and we both jolt. A flash of guilt adds to my confusion because as much as I’m still frustrated at Ari, the need for the kiss he was going to give me is alive under my skin. Are there rules to kissing him without Jasper here? I don’t know.

Ari pulls away from me like there isn’t a tidal wave of tension between us, his brows furrowing. “Jasper is back early.”

Worry takes the place of frustration in my body, leaving me a little woozy and stunned, but I surge forward, concern making my movements quick. When has Jasper ever left work early? We get to the kitchen and the concern doesn’t fade. Jasper kneels on the ground surrounded by broken glass; he drops the piece he is collecting with a hiss.

“Shit!” The word is heavy with emotion and pain.

Ari strides forward, crouching and grabbing Jasper’s hand. “Lover, you’ve cut yourself.”

It’s a shift from the seductive devil just a moment ago who stoked my anger to prove some kind of point to me.

“Just leave it,” Jasper hisses, a mix of pain and anger as he pulls his hand away from Ari. “I ruin everything I touch.”

“Stop.” The authority that rings in Ari’s voice stills both of us. Ari shakes his head and takes Jasper’s hand again. The blood wells quickly and I grab a clean towel. Ari nods in thanks before tending to Jasper’s cut. “You’re being very dramatic today.”

“I’m sorry,” Jasper whispers. “The glass slipped. I didn’t mean for it to break.”

Ari waves off the words. “That wasn’t a complaint. You’re more open about what you’re thinking when you’re being dramatic. Come on, let’s sit and I’ll heal this.”

Jasper doesn’t fight Ari’s cajoling and they make their way to the living room. I look around for the broom to finish cleaning up the glass.

“You too, Emilia,” Ari commands. “I sense that there’s a conversation to be had.”

Jasper stiffens at that, but Ari’s will is too strong for either of us to fight. We sit on the couches in the living room and Ari removes the towel, getting a better look at the cut.

“Are you okay?” I ask. The upset line of Jasper’s shoulders seems to be from more than breaking glass.

Jasper sighs when he opens his eyes, his gaze catching mine. “I don’t have any way to help you.”

I blink. “What?”

“I’ve scoured the archives and gotten all the material that’s within my power and the only real lead I have won’t talk to me because of who I am.”

“I don’t understand.” I don’t let Jasper’s inability to find any solutions alarm me yet. I look to Ari for him to explain, but his mouth is tight as he works at healing Jasper’s cut. I can sense the flow of magic Ari is using, like the flickering warmth of a candle. It’s hypnotizing, but I blink it away to focus.

Jasper stiffens but continues to explain. “I am not well regarded among serpent kin because my great-grandfather started The Great Conflict.”

“Oh,” I say, my brows lifting. This feels like a big deal. “Not well regarded meaning…”

“Hated,” Jasper spits.

“It’s stupid,” Ari pipes in. “It all occurred years before you were even born, but people who want to cast blame hundreds of years later don’t care about details.”

“So, because you’re disliked…” I trail off.

“The lead I have won’t help me.”

“Who do I need to speak to?” Ari asks.

Jasper shakes his head, weary. “Another time, Ari. He’s a witch scholar studying serpent kin. His sponsor has forbidden him from helping.”

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