Page 55 of Kneel Before Me

“You would do that?”

“Of course.”

Daphne’s eyes narrowed. “Why?”

The girl shrugged. “You seem lost.”

It was the second time a basilisk had called Daphne lost, and it was as true as the first time, but perhaps in a different way. Daphne knew she must have seemed skeptical because the girl stepped forward, extended her hand, and said, “My name is Agnes.”

It was clearly a gesture of good faith, and Daphne knew it would be wise to take it. She shook Agnes’s hand. “My name is Daphne.”

“Nice to meet you, Daphne.”

Daphne opened her mouth to reply, but at that moment, another basilisk appeared. This one was male, and he was decidedly more menacing than Agnes. He cut an especially imposing figure in the darkness, emerging from the shadows as if he were made of them.

“Agnes.” His was voice smooth and cavernous, laced with just a hint of anger. “What are you doing?”

Like all basilisks, he was stunningly gorgeous. His posture was proud, his long dark hair thrown back over his shoulders. In what Daphne was rapidly learning was basilisk fashion, he was also naked, and his cock was incredible. Daphne tried her best not to look at it, but there was really nothing else to look at.

“I am talking to Daphne,” Agnes said as if it were obvious.

The male basilisk’s eyes fell to Daphne. They narrowed. “You should not be here.”

The way in which he said it made her blood run cold. It was as if he knew exactly who she was and what she had come here to do. Rather than reply, Daphne looked desperately at Agnes for help.

Mercifully, she assisted. “She is not harming anyone. And I am about to escort her out.”

Daphne’s chest tightened. That wasn’t what she’d promised a moment earlier. Was she lying? Basilisks couldn’t lie. Perhaps she was merely evading—telling half the truth in order to shield their plans from this intimidating man.

“Escort her out now,” the basilisk said sharply, grabbing Agnes’s arm with startling speed.

Agnes yanked herself out of his grip. She squared her shoulders, looking up at him. “You are not the boss of me, Brother.”

The moment she said it, Daphne saw the relation. Where the male basilisk was sharp, Agnes was soft, yet their eyes were the same shade of gold, their noses identical shapes. The siblings stared at each other for a long moment, both clearly furious for different reasons. Daphne found herself holding her breath during their standoff.

Agnes’s brother broke it first. “Remember your place, Sister.”

“With you reminding me, I could never forget.”

He pointed at Daphne. She flinched.

“Get out.” His gaze returned to Agnes. “And do not ever let me see you with a human again.” With that he turned on his heel and disappeared down the passageway.

Agnes watched him go, her face still twisted in anger. Then she softened, turning back to Daphne. “I apologize for my brother,” she said with a rueful smile. “He has a lot on his mind.”

Daphne could do nothing but nod. She could only imagine what a frightening basilisk like that could possibly have on his mind.

“Shall I take you to Kronos now?” Agnes asked.

Daphne opened her mouth, then closed it. She was relieved Agnes was still willing to take her. But now that seeing Kronos was a definitive possibility, the thought was suddenly terrifying.

As if she could tell what she was thinking, Agnes leaned in and said, “You came here for a reason, Daphne. Do you not wish to see it through?”

Daphne did wish to see it through. “Take me to him,” she said.

Agnes flashed a brilliant smile. “Very well. Follow me.”

They traversed the passageway back the way they came, and soon Agnes was leading them down turn after turn until they stopped before a tall wooden door.