Page 130 of The Spider Queen
“But the cave. Where—”
“Feel it.”
Nodding, I replied, “Right.” Maybe one day that would be intuitive for me. Not at the moment, though. Reluctantly, I stood up.
“Take the pack,” he said.
“Fine. But I’m leaving you food, water, and a knife.”
“I don’t need—”
“And Ibuprofen.”
“Okay. Now stop stalling,” he said with a smile. “I’ll see you soon, Poppy.”
I sighed, taking out the items and placing them next to Hunter. I zipped up the backpack and put it on, adjusting the straps to fit my smaller frame.
“I—yeah, see you soon, Hunter.” With one last look at him, I walked away. I refused to turn back. I was afraid that if I did, I would give in and choose to stay by his side.
The weak rays of the sun appeared from behind a swirl of gray clouds, and out of the corner of my eye, I saw something bright and gleaming. I whipped my head around. A massive, silver-scaled tale was disappearing into the sea. It flipped up and down for a moment before vanishing all together.
“A wave goodbye,” I said with a little laugh. I raised my hand and did the same, hoping she saw me.
Chapter 51
I’d been walking for an hour; the sun had started to set and though the wind was calmer on the shoreline, it was still breezy. My hair dried in sandy, salty clumps, but I was still soaked to the bone. And feeling guilty for leaving Hunter, but knowing I couldn’t do anything about it except worry. I trudged on, each step heavier than the last.
You have to stop thinking of Hunter,came Thane’s voice.
Why? Because it makes you angry?
No, because it detracts from your focus.
I’m tired,I whined.
I know.
I’m hungry.
I know.
I’m cold.
Poppy—
I’m not sure I’m even walking in the right direction. The land isn’t speaking to me, Thane. How do I know if I’m getting any closer? For all I know, I could—I stopped mid-step.
Go on,Thane drawled.You were in the middle of another complaint.
I ignored him and looked up at the cliffs. They were rough and serrated, a mix of black and gray. Gulls swarmed the rocks, nesting and raising their young. The sun had moved out over the ocean, its rays bathing the rocks in a hue of gold.
My heart thudded in my chest and blood rushed to my ears. My palms tingled. And then my eyes locked on to a spot in the side of the cliffs. The air…glimmered.
I watched a bird soar and then attempt to rejoin its family—it neared too close to the rippling rocks and ricocheted off it.
Something inside of me settled.I’ve found a ward.
What are you waiting for? Come free me!
