Page 75 of Bitten By the Basilisk

“Thanks for your patience,” Alice said cheerily, coming up behind him. He turned to face her and once again had to hold back a groan of desire. The combination of a plaid pleated skirt and knee-high socks was like a hand stroking between his legs.

If he weren’t barred from wrapping her legs around his waist and pulling her panties to the side, he would have the perfect activity to fill the next two hours.

“Have I yet told you how delicious you look in that outfit?” he asked as he offered her his elbow.

She hooked her hand over his arm with a sly smile. “You did. And so did your eyes. Many times.”

He gave a small chuckle. “What can I say? My mate is gorgeous.” Noting how she shyly lowered her gaze, he began leading her away from the community center, toward the water. “I’m guessing you’re not interested in an early dinner.”

“Oof, not in the slightest. Are you still hungry?”

“Surprisingly, no.” He turned his head slightly, enough to send her a puckish smile. “Not for food, at least.”

She briefly met his teasing glance and smiled as she shook her head. “You’re incorrigible. So, where are we headed? I noticed we’re not walking back to your car.”

“I’d like to keep it a surprise as long as possible,” he said consideringly.

“How far?”

“Ten minutes, at most.”

“Then…will you tell me about that blond guy, Lance? I’m guessing he’s the one you suspect of trying to poison you.”

Silas grunted, his levity quickly fading, and let out a tired sigh. “He is, yes. The other male who was with him is his second, Eric.

“Lance is the only offspring of the previous Basilisk of New York, Rodney Larson. Five years ago, he allegedly fell from a balcony and died.”

Alice was quick to notice his choice of words. “Allegedly?”

“Lance was the only witness,” Silas said, giving her a meaningful look. “Claimed his father was extremely drunk. And while it’s true that Rodney didn’t shy away from alcohol, he wasn’t known as a heavy drinker.

“Whenever a Basilisk dies or abdicates, the nest will hold dominance trials for their replacement. Any member seeking to claim the title must defeat all other rivals in physical combat. And we adhere to certain traditions that act as ground rules, to ensure our kind remains hidden from humanity…while still satisfying our territorial instincts.”

Alice tugged on his hand. “Wait.”

They had already stopped to wait for a walk signal. He glanced down to find her tilting her head pensively.

“When you were telling me about your education, and you said you were always either studying or training… You didn’t mean ‘job training,’ did you?”

“Hmm, there was certainly plenty of that, but I also sparred nearly every day with an instructor, as well as Nic and Bruno. The three of us still keep each other sharp.”

His answer appeared to overwhelm her a bit. She looked him up and down, then turned her face away to stare distantly, looking both troubled and fidgety.

As the walk signal flipped on and they crossed to the marina side of Water Street, he asked, “Are you horrified or turned on?”

Her light laughter was strained with incredulity. “I honestly don’t know.”

A frisson of heat went straight to his groin, tightening his next breath. He swallowed, then said, “For a challenge to be honorable, it must be declared and fought in front of at least three neutral witnesses.

“An ambush is dishonorable. Going after loved ones is dishonorable. Bringing a weapon or using poison is dishonorable.”

He heard her sigh in relief. “It has to be a fair fight. Got it.”

“When the New York nest needed a new Basilisk, many vied for the role. Lance nearly defeated all of them, but he ended up losing to his own uncle, William. The rumor is their challenge match was brutal, but because he lost, Lance cannot challenge his uncle again for another five years, ten total.

“Then, two years ago, he got it into his head to challenge my father. Indigo Cove is a small nest compared to New York, but it’s located on a magic hot spot, and this ring can only be worn and used by the Basilisk.” He lifted his hand to remind her of it.

“I personally witnessed how vicious Lance can be when he and my father fought. The wounds he inflicted…”