Page 36 of The Spider Queen

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Everything.

I laughed out loud.You can’t know everything.

Maybe not right away,he allowed.But eventually. In time. Start with your favorite beverage.

Sweet tea.

Favorite food.

Barbecue.

Really?He drawled in amusement.

Why is that a shock?

It’s not. But…it just reminds me that you’re different.

Different,I snorted.Right. I can talk to spiders.

Not spiders, just me. Tell me…why do you love spiders the way you do?

I don’t know. I’ve always been fascinated by them. Other girls would cry and scream and kill them, but not me. They didn’t scare me. They are stunning, misunderstood creatures.

Thane paused.Yes. We are.

What species are you?I asked.I sent a picture of you to seven different arachnologists and none of them could identify you.

I’m unique. Undiscovered by mankind.

Someone had to have discovered you, though, right? You’re in a glass cube looking like a bug pinned to a board.

Bug,he said in disdain.First of all, they’re called insects. Second, I’m an arachnid and I will not be lumped together with all the other critters humans loath.

Such contempt,I taunted.You don’t like humans very much, do you?

I like you.

Easy there, buddy. It’ll never happen.

No?He drawled.Why not?

Aside from us being two different species? That’s enough of a deterrent, don’t you think?

Perhaps,he sighed.But not everything looks the way you see it.

Uh, yeah, okay, Riddler. So how did you wind up in a glass cube?

I’m not going to answer that.

My phone rang and MOM flashed across the screen. I groaned. I hated my phone conversations with her, but if I didn’t answer, she’d keep calling. And then she’d pester Anita to track me down. Easier to deal with it head on.

“Hi, Mom,” I greeted.

“Poppy! It’s been so long since I’ve heard your voice!”

“It’s been two weeks,” I reminded her. “How was your trip?”

“Good, good. Vince says hello.”

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