Page 7 of Bitten By the Basilisk

Despite his many failures investing the enormous sums his father had given—none of them his fault, of course—he continued to criticize the decisions of New York’s current Basilisk, his uncle William. Despite how unpopular Lance’s views were of modern serpent-folk customs, he had nevertheless sought to replace his father after Rodney’s untimely death, narrowly succeeding.

If he became the Basilisk of Indigo Cove, Lance would squander the nest’s wealth, thinking it was endless because of the signet ring, risking and losing assets faster than a novice chess player. He would no longer allow matings with outsiders and would force the nest’s females to copulate with multiple males every mating season, to increase the chance of pregnancy.

Nic, who stood within earshot, sent him a subtle nod.

“Did he say when?” Silas asked Regina.

Much of serpent-folk custom concerning challenges for power acted as a safety valve for his kind’s territorial instincts, the strongest ruling solely through victory won fairly. The only aspect of territorial challenges that remained archaic was that they could still end in death.

An honorable challenge followed certain rules of conduct, such as when and how it was declared. Lance could choose to challenge Silas at any time during the festival as long as certain conditions were met.

Regina shook her head. “I’m afraid not.”

“Understood. I appreciate the warning.”

They chatted another moment, during which Regina confirmed she was still six months away from turning twenty. Then she returned to her chaperone.

“You realize they’ll both be displeased,” Nic warned, coming over to lean against the bar.

Silas downed the last swallow of his drink, then set the empty tumbler on the bar. “When is my father not displeased? And Conrad will back down once I point out that his daughter is not of age. Some of us may be allowed to bend the rules, but a Basilisk should be hold themselves to a higher standard.”

And if that didn’t work, he could threaten Conrad’s reputation. Serpent-folk didn’t necessarily condemn financial coercion, but they would not tolerate it in the form of what was essentially sexual extortion.

“Break the news to them now, then, while they’re still mostly sober and unwilling to cause a scene,” Nic advised.

Silas sighed with resignation, then nodded.

“At least Lance isn’t here yet.”

Indeed. Though Lance and Regina were cousins, they were not members of the same nest. Lance belonged to the much larger New York nest, which would arrive tomorrow.

“Incoming,” Nic muttered.

Silas steeled his spine and schooled his features before turning to greet, or rather confront, his father and Conrad.

Chapter Three

Alice

“I have a surprise for you.”

Alice paused in the middle of zipping her empty suitcase, having unpacked her clothes and toiletries, and turned toward the door of her mom’s spare room.

Mom had changed into a formal kimono—what she wore as the spa’s owner. Of course, it was plum purple, the skirt and sleeves elaborately patterned with calla lilies and small birds. She was fighting a grin and practically dancing with excitement.

“What sort of surprise?” Alice asked, amused.

“The kind where you come downstairs with me.”

Alice could guess what her mom had planned—no magical insight necessary.

“I’d like to say hi to Grandma, Grandpa, and Dad first.”

Mom smiled as if her heart ached, lips tight and eyebrows pinched, her hands clasped against her chest. “Of course.”

She led Alice to an open cabinet in the corner of the family room, where two framed photos sat amid mementos and a small vase of fresh flowers. The studio portrait of Grandma and Grandpa showed them in their formal wedding attire. Dad’s photo was a candid shot of him smiling during a hike. Magic kept everything dust-free.

“Hi,” Alice softly greeted. “I’m sorry I haven’t visited in so long.”