Page 63 of Entranced By the Basilisks

Jasper’s brows come together. He looks sad and… ashamed.

He has nothing to be ashamed about. Every turn of our circumstances, he’s been there to support me.

“I don’t care who your great-grandfather is,” I say and feel it in my bones. “I know if there was a way that you could find to release me from being Chosen, you’d have found it. You’ve done everything in your power to help me and I appreciate it.”

“It’s not good enough,” he says, defeat lining every feature.

I shrug. “There are other avenues. Right, Ari?”

Ari considers me for a moment before nodding. “Right. I’ve been waiting to talk to any sources for when you’ve had enough training first.”

“Well, I’m not going to turn anyone to stone by accident,” I say with confidence. That’s the one ability I’ve gotten under control.

“That’s just what I was thinking. It’s time we have a night out.”

I blink in confusion.

“What do you mean?” I ask.

“You’ve both been working hard. I think we should go out and have some fun,” Ari says.

Jasper makes an annoyed sound. “Ari—”

“And it gives me the opportunity to ask some individuals for details. These types of conversations are not the kind to be having over email.” Ari claps his hands. “Dress to impress, the both of you. I’ll put together something light and then we’re going dancing.”

He strides away and I look to Jasper.

“What is this about?” I ask.

The expression on his face is a fight between annoyance and amusement.

“I think this is multitasking. He can check with a contact and cheer me up all at once.” Jasper stands and offers a hand to help me up. “I guess we’re going dancing.”

29

ARI

I scanthe crowded club to keep from watching Emilia’s every reaction. I’d had the passing thought that maybe I should order her a dress instead of expecting that she’d packed something for a night on the town, but I shouldn’t have doubted her. The short black dress is simple, but the tight way it stretches across her ass and cradles her tits makes it hard to think, let alone strategize.

Jasper’s stunned face when Emilia descended the stairs had been priceless. I look to him now, pleased to see that he’s also scoping out the crowd with a watchful eye. Seraph’s Delight is a place where paranormals can let themselves appear how they truly are. Everyone is on their best behavior, but when the appearance of humanity is shed, there’s not much further before civility makes that same journey.

The crowd is in a good mood tonight. I mark a few fae dancing as a group, and a partially shifted bear shifter surrounding a witch as she dances, growling at anyone who gets too near. There are a lot of witches, other types of shifters, and a few demons. I don’t sense any serpent kin, but the night is young.

It’s a risk to bring Emilia out, but being cooped up in my penthouse is starting to add to the frustration she already deals with when it comes to training and my purposeful digging.

Plus, I want her to enjoy herself.

But first, business.

“You two get started without me. I need to visit the VIP lounge. I shouldn’t be long.”

“You don’t need backup?” Jasper asks and blushes at my soft smile. He’s embarrassed that he’s offered when I’m so much stronger than he is, but the real reason for my smile is that he’s letting himself care about me. Not even a week ago he would have forced himself to look away even if he were worried.

“Not this time. I need you to watch Emilia and make sure she doesn’t get into trouble.” Or catch too much attention. The glamour should disguise her from errant serpent kin.

“I can handle myself at a club,” Emilia insists as she stares in wonder at a fae whose skin glitters.

I raise Emilia’s hand to my mouth and kiss it. “For my peace of mind.”

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