Page 23 of Bitten By the Basilisk

“If you’re planning to join the next Phantom Promenade,” he continued, referring to one of the town’s most popular tourist attractions, “Brightwell’s sells a spirit lantern that will help you see our ghosts.”

“I can already do that,” she revealed. “Spirits, ley lines, magical auras, anything hidden behind glamour. Grandpa called it shinjitsu-no-me, or ‘True Sight.’ He said it was a rare ability.”

“Must be why Brett couldn’t hypnotize you,” he surmised. “Impressive.”

“I wouldn’t go that far,” she hedged. “It’s a very passive ability, and I don’t have much practice with it beyond sensing a stray ghost before it can jump-scare me. I’m not super strong or fast like Grandpa was. I can’t shape-shift or summon fox fire or conjure illusions.”

Not liking her defeated tone, he spoke to her over his shoulder, one hand on her arm around him and the other on her thigh. “Brett is a fucking tool, but he’s still a predator. One who couldn’t get the drop on you. Don’t sell yourself short, kitten.”

She squeezed him with her whole body, her mic picking up a deep breath. “Thanks. That…means a lot.”

“I know the goblin market would hate to see you coming. Unseelie don’t like it when they can’t pull off a scam.”

Her small giggle warmed his heart…and also revived his partial erection.

“Oh, I haven’t been to one of those in forever,” his passenger said longingly, pointing at the sign for Whirlpool Arcade. Silas had been inside a handful of times, usually to watch Bruno play pinball, but they also had claw machines, Skee-Ball, and plenty of arcade cabinets.

“Which games do you enjoy?” he asked.

“Mostly the dancing one, but I dabble in everything.”

The mental image his brain supplied—of Alice deftly completing the steps of some catchy EDM track, perhaps in a skirt—had him thinking about their next date.

Then he remembered that the mating festival was about to occupy much of his time over the next several days.

Determined not to brood about it for now, he drove them toward the marina, then back north to Town Square, where numerous festival booths had been set up ahead of Hallowe’en Week. Various civic buildings and businesses surrounded the square.

“Oh! That’s where my mom’s play will be,” his passenger said, pointing at Indigo Cove Community Center.

Silas did recall that one of the new events this year would be a limited run of another famous local legend, The Undrowned Pirate. “What part will she play?”

“She’ll actually be handling the special effects. I asked her what sort, but she wouldn’t tell me,” she said, laughter in her voice.

Part of him was jealous that Alice and Grace had such a close, affectionate relationship. He hardly spoke to his mother, despite their working relationship and living in the same small town. However, he imagined Grace was largely to thank for Alice’s charm and kindness, given how she spoke of her mother.

Shortly after he pulled into the parking lot of the community center, his passenger let out a long “whoa.” On the side of the building that faced the town square was a mural of gargantuan tentacles emerging from the water to seize a sailing ship, the artwork lit by spotlights at the base of the building—no headlight needed. Alice hopped off as soon as he stopped the bike.

“Look at the detail!” she exclaimed, jogging closer to the mural. “The splintered mast, the broken deck. You really get a sense of how strong the tentacles are, pulling down this massive ship. Ooh, and look at those slimy suckers! This must have been so fun to paint.”

Her joy was a wonder to witness. He glanced at whatever particular element had caught her eye, but mostly he focused on her and the passion she so openly expressed.

Fuck.

He wanted to court her. To show her everything he could offer her, all the things he could do to fulfill her—mind, body, and soul.

The urge scared him. She had already told him they were only hooking up. The mating festival represented the exact opposite.

Was he being delusional? Making the same mistake as before?

“Where to next?” Alice then asked, buoyant.

Tonight will have to be enough, he told himself, hoping he wasn’t wrong.

“Hop on,” he told her, patting the passenger seat, “and find out.”

Chapter Seven

Alice