Page 190 of Kneel Before Me

“Everyone knows your name. It is not every day that a basilisk chooses a human as his guest.”

She was suddenly self-conscious. Everyone knew her name?

Damon turned back to Agnes. “Are you coming?”

“Damon,” she whined. “I am supposed to stay with Daphne.”

“I can handle myself,” Daphne said. “I promise.”

Agnes hesitated. Then she placed her hand on Daphne’s shoulders. “I am sure you can. Tell Kronos he needs to worry less.”

Daphne laughed. “I’ll be sure to.”

Agnes beamed. “It was lovely talking with you, Daphne. I hope I will see you tomorrow night as well.”

“I hope so too.”

Agnes turned back to Damon, who offered her his elbow. She took it with a smile, and they flounced away together. Daphne shook her head in amusement. She couldn’t fathom how those two could possibly be related to Caspenon. They were a thoroughly perplexing family.

Daphne knew Kronos wouldn’t want her to wander. But she was still curious about the basilisks, still fascinated by everything she saw. So she made another round of the courtyard alone, drinking in everyone around her. When she passed the basilisks from the sea, they stared at her again. Eager to get away from their gaze, Daphne stepped into the closest passageway.

Immediately, she heard someone say her name.

She turned to see a basilisk she did not recognize. He had shoulder-length black hair and severe cheekbones. The basilisk stepped closer, his eyes glowing in the darkness.

Daphne was suddenly uneasy. “Who are you?” she asked, taking a cautious step back toward the light.

“I am Rowe.”

“Well… It’s nice to meet you, Rowe.”

He tilted his head. “Is it?”

Daphne didn’t know how to answer that. Instead, she said, “I really should be getting back to—”

“You are all alone,” the basilisk interrupted. He stepped even closer.

With a jolt, Daphne realized she did recognize him after all. She’d seen him on the mats earlier—he was one of the hosts.

“Kronos is with me,” she said.

Rowe raised a lazy eyebrow, looking around with an exaggerated glance. “I do not see him.”

“He’s…close by.”

“And yet I still do not see him. How careless of him to leave you unattended. Humans are not safe underneath the mountain.”

Kronos had said nothing bad would happen as long as he was with her. Now he was gone, and this basilisk was staring at her with terrifying glee.

“Please,” she whispered. “I don’t want any trouble. I’m just here to—”

“You are here to help Kronos win the Ranking,” Rowe said smoothly. “An unfortunate fact.”

Despite herself, Daphne asked, “Why is it unfortunate?”

“Because I wish to win the Ranking.”

“Well…that’s…” She was at a loss for words. This basilisk was dangerous.