Hektor wanted her, yes, as he was just as horny as any man.
But that part was easy. It was the rest of it…
You have another man in your life.
Hektor thought he was being noble, not wanting to encroach on another man’s territory. While it seemed the idea of her being interested in someone else had initially activated that alpha male part of his brain, the more civilized parts of him prevailed.
Her fictional man was the problem.
Then I should get rid of him.
Could she?
Of course you can, he doesn’t even exist! It’s not like it’s murder.
That’s right. She made up her basilisk lover.
Yeah, that’s right. Get rid of the?—
“…basilisk.”
“What?” Zara jolted out of her seat as her internal thoughts became external. Everyone’s heads whipped toward her. Liora and Elian looked amused, while Medusa and Perseus simply stared at her like she’d gone insane.
And Hektor? Well, he was his usual unreadable self and was the first one to look away.
“Are you okay, Zara?” Medusa asked.
Mortified, she sank back down into her seat. “Yeah, um, I think there’s uh, a nail sticking out of these new seats. Better get back to your supplier and tell them.” She forced a laugh. “I’m sorry, you said ‘basilisk’ right?”
“Yes. That’s what I’ve been talking about for the last five minutes.” The note of reprimand in the gorgon’s tone was unmistakable. “Our next target is Solkaris, and we suspect that Zeus has at least one child there.”
“At least one?” Elian exclaimed. “Is this going to be another centaur situation?”
“I mean, we’re talking about Zeus here,” Liora said. “Why are you even surprised?”
Hektor spoke up. “It is more likely because basilisk females tend to have a clutch of eggs. It’s also possible that a female can have different males as fathers to one clutch.”
“Whoa, you go girls,” Liora snickered. “Why choose, am I right?”
“What else can you tell us about basilisks and Solaris, Hektor?” Perseus said. “Since we’re all here, you might as well tell us, since Medusa and I won’t be going with you.”
Hektor frowned. “You won’t?”
He looked at Medusa, who gave him a short nod. “Since our last trip went well and you all handled the situation easily, we don’t need to supervise you anymore.”
“And really, the best way to learn is on the field, on your own,” Medusa added. “Besides, basilisks aren’t nomadic like centaurs, right? And they have cities too.”
“Yes,” Hektor said. “The main ones are similar to Alindale though not as large and they’re located in the dry, hot desert. If I remember correctly, there are only a few inhabitable areas and they’re interconnected with tunnels to shield them from the dangerously high temperatures.”
“I guess we should bring some sunscreen then,” Elian joked. “When do we leave?”
“Tomorrow,” Medusa said. “And don’t worry, this time we’ve contracted a local fixer to help you navigate Solkaris.”
“We don’t want you accidentally wandering around and getting burned to a crisp.” Perseus sounded deadly serious. “Anyway, be ready to leave at dawn tomorrow.”
Medusa closed her folder then stood up. “Perseus and I have a meeting in the city, we’ll see you all later.”
Once their bosses left the room, Liora let out a groan. “We leave at dawn again?”
