Page 98 of The Spider Queen

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I leaned over and collapsed into his arms, crying against his chest. The closer we got to Ireland, the further emotionally apart Hunter and I became.

It was pure agony.

“I don’t want this,” I said, hiccoughing into his shirt. “My life isn’t my own anymore.”

Hunter whispered words into my ear and my body slackened, my terror at my lack of control and the unknown fading away.

“What did you do?” I asked, my eyes slipping closed.

A moment later, the armrest between our seats was up and my head was in his lap as I began to drift into the darkness.

“Sleep, Poppy,” Hunter murmured, his fingers sifting through my hair. “Things are always better after you sleep.”

Poppy.

Thane?

Open your eyes, Poppy.

I’m asleep, Thane.

Thane sighed.

My eyes flipped open.

And stared into glittering black orbs.

“I can see you,” I whispered. My eyes darted everywhere, trying to take him all in. There was so much of him.

Tall, broad. Dark hair, dark eyes. Recognition dawned.

“I’ve been drawingyou…haven’t I?”

“Yes.”

“I’ve been dreaming of you…in your human form,” I accused.

His grin was wolfish and unapologetic. “I used what powers I had, Poppy.”

“You bastard.” Anger and lust rippled beneath my skin. I ignored the lust.

Or tried to.

Thane wore a black silk shirt and leather pants.

“You’re kidding me, right?” I snarled.

He raised a dark eyebrow.

“The pants. Seriously? That’s how you come to me in a dream? Wearing leather pants? I didn’t know you had a sense of humor, Thane.” I cracked up, but sobered when I realized Thane wasn’t laughing along with me.

“This isn’t a dream, Poppy.”

I blinked. “Then what is this?”

His head dipped and a moment later, two torches behind him flamed to life illuminating our surroundings. Black stone walls, black stone floors.

“How did you bring me here?” I demanded, placing my hand on the wall. Coldness seeped into my skin.

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