Page 14 of Entranced By the Basilisks

Rose tilts her head. “It’s not all that common, but more common than it used to be. Prior to the Council being founded, rarer types of paranormals would keep to their own groups. It’s only now with some protective laws in place that they are more open about what they are.”

The more I learn about the supernatural world, the more it mirrors the human one for good or for ill. It’s logical since they run side by side.

“A mate is considered to be a partner. Whether soul bonds or ceremonies are needed is negotiated among the individuals involved.”

A partner. Someone to lean on.

Fuck. I want someone like that.

But with how out of control my life is, with my own issues and trauma, what do I even bring to the table? I’m already struggling with not relying too much on the people who love me. I’m the furthest thing from balanced and it would be unfair to saddle someone else with me.

My head is shaking before I even realize it.

“I don’t think I could handle having a mate right now.” I wouldn’t want to inflict myself on anyone.

“That’s alright,” Rose says with an understanding that reverberates through my soul as if she sees more than what I’m showing her. It untangles the knot of emotion in my chest and the relief of it is so sudden that my eyes sting with tears.

It’s rare to feel so seen. The people who are closest to me love me and probably catch tidbits of my inner feelings, but being in front of this witch is revealing and calming at the same time.

It’s an odd thing to happen with a stranger, but with the events of today, I’ve had to push so far out of my comfort zone that nothing is familiar, not my reactions and not this tender calm.

Just as quick as the calm occurs, it’s gone again. “But the curse—”

“We’ll find another way. I know a diverse number of beings in our world, as does Grace. We’ll be able to find someone who can help you.” Rose’s mouth twitches. “You don’t have to hop into bed or mate with anyone unless you want to.”

I blow out a breath of half relief and half disappointment. I’m just a jumble of contrasting emotions today. I need some time and quiet to reset, to push all the scrabbling emotions clawing at my throat down deep.

I don’t think I’m going to get either of those things today. I try to clench my teeth against the spike of useless frustration.

“Oh!” Rose exclaims.

I flinch as one of myafflictionsslips out of the scarf I’d tried to hide them under. I swallow at the bright-blue scales of the triangular head swaying around my face.

I’ve never had an aversion to snakes, but I’ve also never had them sprouting from my scalp. The scarf I’d covered them with had seemed to mellow the creatures, which was good. I’d tied it fast to avoid them biting me, though they made no moves to. Nothing like the aggressive sounds they’d made when Grace had approached with the fabric.

“How pretty,” Rose whispers.

My eyes widen at that, and she winces. “Sorry.”

I shrug. It’s weird to receive a compliment about a curse. This must be another incidence of Rose being kind. I’m contemplating how to slip the snake back undercover without touching it when there’s a tap on the door that makes me jump and the little creature hiss.

“Rose?” Grace’s voice through the door has me sighing in relief.

“Come in.” Rose says.

Grace enters the cozy office in a whirl of color and life. The red swing dress she wears and the attitude in which she moves inspires comfort and familiarity in a world where everything is topsy-turvy.

“I think we’re done with the important part,” Rose says. “I’m going to reach out to some people to ask questions about this curse.”

I nod.

“I brought you something.” Grace smiles and holds out a thin gold necklace with a tiny medallion. My newglamour.

I stretch my arm out to take it, noting that Grace is keeping her distance from the blue snake that still sways around my face. I don’t blame her for being careful. Earlier, whenever she got too close, one of the serpents would snap at her. I’d be horrified if they bit someone, let alone my best friend.

The thin metal warms to my skin quickly and the blue snake’s head ducks, as if analyzing the charm as well. How peculiar. The medallion is a little smaller than a dime, the surface is stamped with a circular shape. I almost snort out loud when I recognize a stylized shape of a snake eating itself.

“You just had to go with a snake theme, didn’t you?” I ask.

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