Page 139 of The Spider Queen
“Do it,” Thane commanded.
Something cold and wet landed on the side of my neck. Two pricks, and then brutal, agonizing pain. My hands wanted to go to my neck, but I didn’t have the strength.
“Baylor—”
“Give it a moment.”
Who is Baylor? And what is on my neck?It was sucking and pulling at my skin.Do I have a magic leech on me?
Even though I wanted it off, I was too weak to move.
“It’s not working,” Thane said. “Remove it.”
“Can’t—the vampire plant won’t let go until—”
“Until it sucks her dry.Remove it, Baylor!” Thane thundered.
“If I pull it off now, it could cause more harm.”
“I should’ve known not to ask a water troll for help!”
“Hey, just a minute—”
While they continued to argue, the throbbing in my neck receded and it even feltgood.
“Thane!” Baylor’s voice yelled.
“Fuck!” Thane roared. “She’s fading.”
“Still here,” I murmured dreamily.
“She’s becoming translucent,” Baylor commented. “Get her to the altar. Now.”
Thane scooped me up and ran. I lifted my lids just enough to see the blur of trees and gray streaks of silver moonbeams.
He set me on the altar.
I smiled.
“It has to come from her,” Baylor said.
“I know.” Thane leaned over me. “Poppy, you don’t have a lot of time.”
“Can I borrow some from you?” I giggled. “You’ve had a ton. You’re ancient, right?”
“Poppy, I need you to look at me.”
“I am looking at you,” I whispered. “You’re so beautiful.” I tried to reach up to touch his jaw, but I couldn’t move my hand.
He took my palm and kissed it. My fingers and wrist lookedwispy,like they were disappearing.
You are disappearing,Thane said, echoing the thoughts in my head.
We’re here again? Talking in my mind?
You don’t have a lot of strength left. There’s a wasp stinger—it’s migrated to your heart. Baylor placed a vampire plant on your neck to try to suck it out, but it’s in too deep. The plant is feeding on you and it won’t let go.
Baylor?
