Page 336 of Split or Swallow

Leo held up his hand.

“Please,” he said. “I must know. What is a crest?”

To Tem’s surprise, Caspen answered:

“It is a way for a basilisk to gain power.”

“By what means?” Leo asked.

But Caspen was done answering questions. He turned back to Tem.

“You are the love of my life. My father would never crest you.”

Beside her, Leo scoffed, and Tem prayed he’d stay calm. This was not the time for petty jealousy.

“I told you, that’s exactly what he’s going to do. He admitted it, Caspen.”

“He would not—”

“Wouldn’t he?” Tem cut him off sharply. “There is no end to what fathers would do to their sons.”

A muscle twitched in Leo’s jaw. A similar one twitched in Caspen’s.

Caspen shook his head slowly.

“He knows our engagement is bound by blood.”

“Engagement?” Leo interjected.

Tem placed his hand on his arm. She needed him to stay calm for just one more minute.

“Yes,” Tem nodded at Caspen. “He knows.”

“That means he…”

Caspen trailed off, and Tem watched as the truth dawned on him. A myriad of emotions passed over his face. None of them were surprise.

“He values power more than he values anything else, Caspen,” she said. “Including you.”

Caspen’s eyes met hers.

There was an incredible sadness in them, along with something resembling resolve. Perhaps Caspen had always known his father was capable of this. Bastian had asked him to crest another basilisk, after all—an act that was forbidden. He cared nothing for the lives of others. He cared nothing for his family. He only cared for himself.

“There is a simple solution,” Caspen said.

“Which is?”

“You will not perform the crest.”

Tem sighed. They were coming to the heart of it now. She would not be able to conceal the truth any longer.

“I have to,” she said.

“And why is that?”

Tem paused. In the silence, both men stared at her. Caspen with anger and disbelief, Leo with restrained bewilderment. Caspen shifted closer. So did Leo.

It was time.