Page 78 of The Spider Queen
The back of my neck felt sticky with dried sweat, and I suddenly had the urge to run my fingers through my hair. But I couldn’t because my wrists were still bound.
“How are you feeling?” Anita asked, working her bottom lip through her teeth.
“Betrayed.”
She flinched, her eyes dropping. “Poppy—”
“Get. Out.” I spoke through a clenched jaw, trying not to yell, trying to remain calm, trying to play the game so they’d let me out of this fucking place.
“Poppy, I’m sorry. But you weresingingand the walls were covered in—”
I turned my head away from her and closed my eyes, shutting her out.
“I called your mom.”
“Of course you did.”
“Poppy, I—I know how you feel about her. But I thought if anyone could help you, she could.”
I glanced at Anita. Her blond hair was a mess and her face was devoid of makeup. She looked so unlike her usual polished self.
“Oh, yeah?” I asked. “You thought you were doing what was best for me? You, who grew up with two parents who stayed together because your mom wasn’t the sick twin?” I closed my eyes, willing her away.
“When are you going to stop blaming me for something I can’t control?”
I laughed, but it was bitter and sharp. Staring her down, I clenched my fists and struggled against the restraints. “Don’t talk to me about control.” I shook my head, which caused it to throb. “Just get out. I don’t want to see you.”
Closing my eyes, I turned my head away again. After a moment, I heard her shuffle toward the door and then nothing.
Thane? Thane, are you there? I’m trapped.
There was no answer.
I wondered if the drugs in my system dulled our connection. I wondered if I’d been hallucinating everything. I wondered if I was as crazy as they were leading me to believe.
Thane? If you’re there, and you can hear me, please…
Please, what? I was begging a spider to help me. Help me how?
Maybe the hospital was the safest place for me.
I heard the door creak open and I pretended to be asleep. I didn’t want to deal with the doctor or talk to the nurse.
No engagement. Otherwise they’d win.
Or had I already lost?
“Poppy,” a deep voice whispered.
My eyes flew open. In the weak, dying light of the day, I saw a pair of familiar blue eyes.
“What are you doing here?”
Chapter 28
My father took a seat in the white plastic chair next to my bed. While he settled himself, I took a moment to study him. In the three years since I’d last seen my father, he hadn’t changed much. His hair was still thick, though now it was more gray than black. It used to be salt and pepper. The lines around his eyes were deeper, the paunch around his middle just a little bigger.
“How did you know I was here?” I asked him.
