Page 64 of Entranced By the Basilisks

She nods, shy and giddy at the same time.

“Don’t take too long,” she teases and pulls a startled Jasper onto the dance floor.

I make my way to the stairs, sneaking glances at the pair as I go. I almost trip when Emilia successfully coaxes Jasper’s body to move with hers. The roll of their hips and the bliss on her face has me picking up my pace. I will not keep them waiting.

I’m admitted to the VIP lounge with a nod. I’ve done enough dealings here that security recognizes me, and I head straight to the back where I suspect my contact is. I’m not left guessing long. Already the air crackles with a powerful aura.

I roll my shoulders to displace the discomfort. Having powerful friends is a good thing, but hardly relaxing.

The man sits in a booth at the back like a king on a throne, and his assistant sees me coming. I’ve always assumed he’s an assistant anyway. Bodyguard to a dragon would prove to be a boring job. He makes a gesture indicating the king will see me now.

I don’t know why Kalos comes here. He looks bored in his expensive suit. He has a human appearance tonight, save for the talon-tipped fingers that tap against a glass. His gold eyes are similar to Jasper’s, but lack the warmth.

“Your text said you needed something,” Kalos says.

Maybe this is why he comes here. Meeting with individuals who make requests on his time and resources.

I sit and try to project a casual air to my movements, threading my fingers in front of me on the table.

“I’m looking for knowledge about reversing being Chosen by the Goddess Hest,” I say, wincing at voicing her moniker. Her name is sacred and rarely spoken by serpent kin.

“Chosen.” Kalos frowns. “I haven’t heard of one of those in a while.”

That he knows anything at all about Chosen is a statement of how well connected he is. Kalos is not a serpent kin.

“Do you have one?” he asks.

I dare not lie to him. He is a large player in business and our social circles, plus I want to shout it to the world but can’t. At least Kalos is discreet.

“I do,” I admit.

“Congratulations are in order.”

I shrug. “It’s a little premature for that.”

“Hmm, it would seem so. I would think that you and others of your kind would rather a Chosen not have the option of reversing their decision to pledge to your Goddess.”

“Ah, but she didn’t choose this,” I say.

Kalos frowns. “I didn’t think that was possible.”

“A miracle.”

He raises a brow. “Doesn’t seem very miraculous from her point of view. Why would you want a way to reverse it?”

I sit back and tap on the table. “It’s better for her to have a choice.”

I say the words because they are objectively true. That Emilia doesn’t have a choice saddens me, but I’ll do my best to help her accept her new reality.

“Smart, and what if she chooses to leave you?” he asks.

My body tightens at the mere mention of Emilia choosing to leave us. I don’t want to think of it as a possibility. It’s highly unlikely and I make myself relax.

“That would depend on whether there’s even a way to reverse what’s been done,” I say.

His lips curve. “Which you don’t think there is.”

“Have you ever heard of such a thing?” I ask to keep from answering his observation. I consider this man friend enough, but what I’m trying to do is delicate. Later, when everything is laid out, I’ll be open with the details.

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