Page 256 of Kneel Before Me

No.

Caspen transitioned too, throwing himself between his parents just as Bastian reached Deltene. Bone met bone as their fangs clashed, their bodies writhing in the air. Bastian let out an angry growl as Caspen forced him aside. His mother was not transitioning—even as Solomon set her on the ground, she clung to him. It took all of Caspen’s energy to keep his father at bay; Bastian was extraordinarily powerful, even without the blood bond. He reached for his mother’s mind. If his father would not listen to reason, perhaps she would.

Transition, Mother.

No.

Basilisks believed in fate; both of his parents knew this was already written. But Caspen could not watch this; he could not stand idly by as his father killed his mother. Apollo was transitioning too, his mass joining Caspen’s as they held their father back.

Deltene’s voice came to them both. There is no way to stop this. Let fate take its course.

NO.

One day you will understand.

Caspen did not understand. He refused to let this happen. Even with both brothers at once, it was impossible to hold Bastian. He may have lost the power of the blood bond, but the power of the curse brought strength of its own. The moment they blocked one blow, Bastian administered another. Soon, all three of them were bleeding.

Enough, Father. You must end this.

Bastian lunged once more at Deltene. I am trying to do just that.

You cannot expect us to stand by while you kill our mother.

She broke us. Now I must break her.

At those horrible words, Apollo lost his grip on Bastian. The moment it happened, Caspen knew it was over. Their father twisted himself violently to the side, his great body cracking the stone floor. When he rose again, Caspen could not hold him alone—he could only watch helplessly as Bastian leapt forward, opened his mouth, and sank his fangs deep into Deltene’s neck. Blood spurted from the wound, spraying everyone around them, including Solomon, who remained in his human form. With a stunning crunch, Deltene’s neck broke.

Time moved strangely after that.

Caspen watched as the brightness left his mother’s eyes, leaching slowly away like smoke. Bastian released her, letting her body fall to the floor. Solomon fell with it, his hands going to Deltene’s face. Caspen watched numbly as Bastian returned to his human form. He and Apollo did the same. They were all covered in blood—their own and Deltene’s.

Around them, the crowd was still silent. They were watching. No one would dare interfere with a broken blood bond. This was family business. Plus, basilisks loved a show.

Bastian pointed at Solomon.

“You,” he growled.

Solomon said nothing. Tears ran down his cheeks as he held Deltene in his arms, rocking her slowly back and forth. It was strange to watch another man cry for Caspen’s mother.

“You have disrespected me and you have dishonored my family.”

Still, silence.

“Son,” Bastian said sharply, turning to Apollo. “Crest him.”

Apollo’s mouth fell open. He was not the only one; a collective gasp swept through the crowd. Caspen remembered his father’s words: The next time I give you an order, I expect you to obey it. He knew the same words were running through Apollo’s mind.

“Crest him, Apollo,” Bastian screamed. “Do as I say!”

But Apollo stood still. He was frozen, his hands at his sides, his lips parted in shock. Caspen knew his brother would not move. Apollo was not capable of such a thing—hardly anyone was capable of it. Cresting another basilisk was forbidden, and everyone in this room knew it. Bastian had chosen to give the task to Apollo as a way to test one brother and taunt the other. Caspen had refused to crest Kronos; he had not proven himself worthy. Bastian wanted to remind him of that.

It was no surprise to Caspen when Apollo whispered, “I…cannot.”

Two words. One simple admission.

“Very well,” Bastian whispered. “It would appear you dishonor me too.”

Apollo hung his head.