Page 66 of The Spider Queen

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Thane hadn’t moved during our conversation, choosing to remain in the center of his web. I held up my hand toward him.

He crawled from the center of his web downward until he was on the wall. His legs bent, flicked, and then he launched himself away from the wall, springboarding toward me and landing on my hand.

I let out an involuntary yell.

OW. You’re loud!

“You could’ve warned me,” I snapped, bringing my hand closer to my face so I could see Thane. Spider eyes, black and unblinking, stared at me. The inquisitive, curious scientist in me wanted to study everything about him.

Incredible,I marveled.You’re unlike anything I’ve ever seen.

I know.

Arrogant much?

It’s the truth.

I backed out of the closet and turned off the light.

Well, what are we going to do? I’m officially done with classes for an entire week.

It’s Spring Break, yes?

Yes.

Show me Charleston.

How the hell do you expect me to do that? You want to sit on my shoulder?

I’ll whisper sweet nothings in your ear.

You’re ridiculous. And no. I’m not showing you Charleston.

TV, then?

I guess that’s all we have.

I propped up the pillows against the headboard of my bed and then grabbed my laptop. As I settled in, Thane jumped up onto a pillow near my head.

Is it weird that I’m not freaked out by this?

I think I might be the wrong one to ask.

Spider had a point.

Two hours later, in the middle of aDawson’s Creekmarathon, I heard the front door open and the sound of keys dropping on the wooden front table. Anita was home.

Hide.

Humans, Thane growled in disgust.

I’m a human, I reminded him.

You’re different.

So you keep saying. Now hush up and hide under my nightstand.

“Poppy?” Anita called out. “You home?”

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