Page 23 of Entranced By the Basilisks

“If you’re determined to reject my hospitality then we can meet here tomorrow to start your training. How does noon sound to you?” Ari asks.

Emilia sits back as if surprised that Ari didn’t put up more of a fight about the topic. She has good instincts. “Noon works.”

“We all have our tasks. I’ll take you back to your car at the library,” I say, standing.

Emilia stands slower and Ari rises with her.

“It was very nice meeting you, Ari. Thank you for your help,” she says.

Ari somehow catches her hand and brings it to his lips. I’d roll my eyes, but can’t deny the way Emilia’s breath stutters and lashes lower at the action. Ari shoots me a vicious grin when he releases her.

“I’ll meet you at the elevator,” I say to Emilia.

Emilia looks from me to Ari, her brows in her hairline and her lips mouthingokayyy.

I try to keep the blush from my face, but I fail. Once Emilia leaves the room, my gaze is on Ari’s.

“You don’t need to make excuses if you want to talk to me,” Ari says.

I ignore that statement. “You will search for a solution for Emilia? Not just try to seduce her?”

“My viper,” he purrs. “You sound jealous.”

I am, but it’s an odd-spiked sensation. I fear what I’ll find if I analyze it.

“I’m trusting that you’re helping Emilia with this,” I say. “She’s my responsibility, a part of my library—”

Ari cuts me off with a scoff. “And we can’t have anything messing up your library, let alone a miracle.”

“Ari.”

He rolls his eyes. “I give my word that I will search for a solution for Emilia.”

I take a step closer, the heat coming off his body curling around me invitingly.

“Be more specific,” I say. The taste of Ari on the air is like cardamom and pepper, full and hot. As if the man can seduce me by scent alone.

Ari tilts his head up, inching his mouth that much nearer to my own. “I give my word that I will do everything in my power to find a way for Emilia to becomeun-Chosen.”

“Okay,” I say, at once satisfied and hungry for something else.

Ari’s lips curve as if following my line of thinking. “Just keep your mind open for me, my viper.”

That,right there, whatever that is, is dangerous. I take a step back. This is what I rejected last night and the pain of that is fresh enough to warn me away.

“What’s between us is settled,” I say.

Ari’s grin is more fang than anything. “Andthisis something new.”

10

ARI

Jasper backsdown and takes a step back when I throw the gauntlet. As I’d known he would. He isn’t a coward, but he is stubborn. Once he’s made a decision about something, it takes tornado winds to sway him.

Neither of us could have expected Storm Emilia.

Her presence is the thunderous new beginning we needed. The Goddess has delivered me a blessing, a way to finally convince Jasper that we can have a mating. A way to create a unit.

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