Page 73 of The Spider Queen

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No.

I feel you sulking. Why does my having a boyfriend bother you?

Do you really need to ask that?

I locked up the house and eased off my backpack. Thane walked across the floor, his long, furry legs slow and precise.

I’m still in the glass cube, Poppy,Thane said.You just can’t see it.

Chapter 25

I curled up on the couch and watched TV while the storm outside raged. It had gone from a moderate shower to a squall. Darkness fell, tree branches scraped the sides of the house, and rain pelted the windows. It was downright cozy except for the fact that Thane and I hadn’t communicated in hours.

I’m hungry.

No comment from Thane as he perched on top of a couch cushion to better see the TV screen.

Are you hungry? Do you eat?

Yes, Poppy, I eat,he snapped in irritation.

Ah, he speaks…or thinks, as it were.

A glimmer of humor peeked its way through the dark void.

You can’t stay mad at me,I teased.

I’m not mad at you, Poppy. Just…never mind.

No. Not this time. Talk to me.

I am talking to you.

You know what I mean.

I’m jealous, all right?

Because I’m with someone? And you and I can’t be together due to the fact that we are different species…

No. I mean, yes, of course.But I’m jealous that he makes you light up in a way that I can’t.

I didn’t really know what to do with that.

What would you do if I were human?

But you’re not,I pointed out.

Humor me. Would you give me a chance?

I don’t know. What do you look like?I teased.

You wouldn’t be disappointed. I’ll leave it at that.

Well, considering this is all speculation, yeah, Thane, I’d give you a chance.This was weird, even for Thane, and I desperately wanted to talk about something else.So, what do you eat?

I’m a spider. What do you think?

Walked right into that one, didn’t I?

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