Page 250 of Split or Swallow

Caspen stepped into the water, and Tem followed.

“It is sacred,” he said as they waded out until they were waist deep. “We believe that Kora herself bathed here.”

Tem could believe that too. The lake was ethereal—she could see how a goddess would feel at home here.

“It may be easier for you to transition somewhere that is connected to nature.”

“Why not outside?”

“There are people outside. If you transition and you cannot control yourself, they would be in danger. I do not want you to worry about hurting anyone your first time.”

Tem felt a rush of gratitude toward him. He had clearly thought this through.

Caspen took her hands in his, turning to face her.

We will do this together.

He said it with a confidence Tem did not share.

A moment later she felt him pull her into his mind in the same way he had done before. Tem made a concerted effort not to panic at the thought of leaving her physical body unprotected while he transitioned.

I will keep you safe.

Tem would have nodded, but there was no point. Even Caspen’s conviction could not soothe her. She was too anxious—too frightened—to be at ease even in the shelter of his mind.

Relax, Tem.

Tem tried to relax.

She focused instead on the way Caspen felt—noticing how he was calm and steady despite what was at stake. It was a trait she’d always desired for herself. Tem felt too much, all the time.

You can use that, Tem.

Use what?

Your emotions.

How?

Transitioning is about becoming the truest version of yourself. You are emotional. Embrace that.

I thought you wanted me to be calm.

Perhaps what I want is irrelevant here.

Tem considered this. She was a Hybreed—that meant she was just as much a human as she was a basilisk. It also meant that she would never be exactly like Caspen. There would always be a part of her that would not be tamed.

Now pay attention.

Tem knew that tone well. Her teacher had returned.

A subtle vibration was forming in Caspen’s mind. It buzzed along the perimeter, building gradually into a low hiss. Tem felt it all around her; it dug into her brain like a hundred tiny talons, scratching at the essence of her being.

This is how I begin.

Tem realized what Caspen was doing: he was showing her how he transitioned in the hopes that she would be able to do so too.

The hiss grew until it surrounded Tem on all sides, building into a singular gleam of power. There was a great swell, and Tem felt a sudden wave of motion sickness. Caspen was breaking—shedding—unfolding himself from the inside out. It was like being in the middle of a volcano while it erupted.