Page 123 of Entranced By the Basilisks

She laughs and the sound is husky. “My apologies, I’m here for you to tell me how you became Chosen and bonded. You say it isn’t how it seems. I would like to hear how this all happened.”

So Awnti is my interrogator, or interviewer rather. That’s why they separated us.

“As I understand it, it’s a pretty unbelievable story,” I say.

“I like stories. You can only tell me the truth of your experience. It’s not for you to worry if it’s believable or not.”

There’s comfort in that.

“Alright then. It started with a book.”

51

EMILIA

I try not to fidget.

I recounted everything to Awnti. I didn’t hide anything about Jasper and Ari trying to assist me in reverting the blessing or Ari’s training. I didn’t mention that Ari had discovered some way to revert being Chosen, since I’ve decided to stay this way. That fact isn’t a part of the story. Afterward, she thanked me and left. I’m assuming so that she could present her findings to the Circle. Time passed and eventually, the scaled Circle guard came back and led me to this chamber.

It feels like a courtroom but circular. At the other side of the room are a number of flags hanging down the wall with insignias I don’t recognize but assume are meant to represent each member of the council.

There are no chairs and it’s probably because half the people around me balance on tails. Strangers meander about and gossip. They look like they’ve come to watch the proceedings. No one approaches me with the Circle guard next to me, but I do get curious looks. I’ve chosen to keep my snakes out and every awed face in the crowd solidifies that decision. They revere Chosen and I’ll take whatever sympathy I can garner for my cause.

I recognize Sigmund Dietrich in the crowd and am gratified that no one seems to want to converse with him. The look he casts me is full of poison, but I don’t let that scare me.

“Emilia!”

I spin at the voice. “Ari!”

I fling myself into his arms and he holds me tight to his chest. “I came as soon as I could, but they wouldn’t allow me to see either of you.”

“They questioned Jasper. I haven’t seen him since we got here.” I look up at him. “We bonded.”

Ari’s eyes widen. “I see. That would explain a lot of things.”

“It was an accident.”

Impossibly, his eyes get even wider, but he becomes serious. “Do you regret it?”

I shake my head and his inhale is full of relief.

“Everything will be okay,” he says.

Tears burn my eyes at finally hearing someone say those words, but the memory that Ari has already misled if not lied to me before, tempers the relief.

As if he could hear my thoughts, he continues, “I won’t let anything happen to Jasper.”

I nod. “Okay.”

Ari casts his gaze around the room for a moment before he straightens his shoulders like he’s decided on something. He turns back to me.

“Emilia,” he says as if my name is a prayer. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry for everything I did. I’ll understand if you can’t forgive me.”

I blink to keep back tears. I can’t handle remembering the pain right now.

“Can we talk about this later?” I ask.

Ari smiles, but his eyes are sad. “Of course, my ember.”

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