Page 92 of Entranced By the Basilisks

“Armand, the big guy that was hanging around with Sigmund.”

Now Ari’s body tenses, deadly and waiting to strike. “Dietrich’s man was following you?”

“He claims he’s watching me for the Circle. I believe him. He thinks that Sigmund will come after me.”

“And he wants to make sure we make our appointment with the Circle,” Ari surmises with a twist of his lips. “I really do wish I’d taken Dietrich out when I had the opportunity. Do you need me to take you to work? The building’s security should keep Emilia safe”—Ari frowns, obviously not liking that idea—“or she could come with.”

“No. I’d rather be here today,” I say, my nerves threatening to make me pull away, hide my soft parts from this man even though I know him so well, but there’s no hiding from Ari. He blinks and his face softens.

“Oh,” he says.

There’s a world of meaning behind that one expression and I swallow the urge to flee. The snake in front of me sees me. Sees my revelations quicker than I could. He sees the wishes that I’ve stuffed away in my heart so deep and under so many locks.

I am known by Ari and there is no hiding.

“Yes,” I say.

“Jasper, you’re back!” Emilia says and I’m struck with her beauty in the morning light. It’s only been less than a half hour since I wished her well at breakfast, but she’s a presence that I will never get used to. Ari is like that too, but the way he affects me is sharp and unforgiving. Emilia is instead a tight hug, a constricting comfort that never lets go.

“I am. I figured that the library could do without me today,” I say, revealing some of my not-so-well-hidden feelings.

“Good,” Ari claps in a way that has Emilia and me freezing. “We can start training early then.”

38

EMILIA

“No!”My eyes are wide and anger fights with exasperation in my tone. “I’m not making my snakes bite Jasper on purpose!”

Ari tuts and his hand strokes along my lower back. “Sweet, how else do you intend to practice healing the bites?”

“I don’t know. Maybe they won’t bite someone again or they’ll only bite people we don’t care about.” I’m being ridiculous. I know I am, but to hurt Jasper on purpose? I don’t think I can.

“It’s okay—” Jasper starts, but I interrupt.

“It’s not okay! What if I don’t heal you fast enough—” I break off when I realize Jasper’s shoulders are shaking in a silent laugh.

“What am I missing?” I ask.

Ari clears his throat as if he’s trying not to smile. “Our bites can kill others, but rarely serpent kin. Most serpent kin enjoy biting outside of battle.”

Oh. My cheeks grow warm. “You bite each other during sex?”

Now Jasper starts to blush. “Yes.”

“And you like it?” I ask, just to see Jasper’s blush deepen.

He clears his throat. “I do. If you remember, I bit you the other day by accident, though I should have asked.”

I remember the tingly feeling at climax. “It didn’t hurt.”

“It wouldn’t have,” Jasper says. “We’re more immune to venom than other types of paranormals and I hardly used any venom.”

“Does Ari bite you like that?” I ask and Ari’s chuckle in my ear is deep. Jasper starts to fidget now.

“Do you enjoy tormenting our director?” Ari asks.

My lips twitch. “Yes.”

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