The Spider Queen Read online

  Thane?

  Yes.

  Where are you?

  Promise you won’t scream?

  No.

  I heard him sigh. Closet.

  I got up and crept toward the closet. After opening the door, I flipped on the light and glanced around. There, high in the corner, above the shelf, perched Thane in the middle of an ethereal spider web.

  Gone was the cube and the black stone he’d clutched while seemingly asleep on his back. But the most terrifying, unexplainable thing of all was his color—he was no longer translucent or even tan, but jet black. Ebony, shiny, and larger than any spider had any right to be. Like something out of a Stephen King novel.

  I stared up at Thane, marking the changes from critter in a cube to living entity.

  Say something, Thane stated.

  It would be so much easier if you could hear your mind snapping—then you’d know for sure you were insane and almost be relieved that you know the truth and not worry about it anymore.

  He sighed but didn’t engage.

  You look…furry.

  I am.

  His legs were long, but not fragile like a Daddy Long Legs. He looked like a black tarantula, but not quite as stocky. Weren’t you spindly? Why aren’t you spindly anymore?

  I’ve…changed.

  You’re beautiful.

  Thank you.

  For? I asked.

  You think I’m beautiful.

  Thane hadn’t moved during our conversation, choosing to remain in the center of his web. I held up my hand toward him.

  He crawled from the center of his web downward until he was on the wall. His legs bent, flicked, and then he launched himself away from the wall, springboarding toward me and landing on my hand.

  I let out an involuntary yell.

  OW. You’re loud!

  “You could’ve warned me,” I snapped, bringing my hand closer to my face so I could see Thane. Spider eyes, black and unblinking, stared at me. The inquisitive, curious scientist in me wanted to study everything about him.

  Incredible, I marveled. You’re unlike anything I’ve ever seen.

  I know.

  Arrogant much?

  It’s the truth.

  I backed out of the closet and turned off the light.

  Well, what are we going to do? I’m officially done with classes for an entire week.

  It’s Spring Break, yes?

  Yes.

  Show me Charleston.

  How the hell do you expect me to do that? You want to sit on my shoulder?

  I’ll whisper sweet nothings in your ear.

  You’re ridiculous. And no. I’m not showing you Charleston.

  TV, then?

  I guess that’s all we have.

  I propped up the pillows against the headboard of my bed and then grabbed my laptop. As I settled in, Thane jumped up onto a pillow near my head.

  Is it weird that I’m not freaked out by this?

  I think I might be the wrong one to ask.

  Spider had a point.

  Two hours later, in the middle of a Dawson’s Creek marathon, I heard the front door open and the sound of keys dropping on the wooden front table. Anita was home.

  Hide.

  Humans, Thane growled in disgust.

  I’m a human, I reminded him.

  You’re different.

  So you keep saying. Now hush up and hide under my nightstand.

  “Poppy?” Anita called out. “You home?”

  “In here,” I shouted, leaning back against the pillows and resettling my laptop.

  Anita stopped in the doorway, shopping bags clutched in her hands. “What are you doing?”

  “Chilling.”

  “You don’t chill.”

  “Not a lot else to do. No school work, Hunter left, so—”

  Anita dropped her bags and then bounced over to the bed, flopping down on top of it. “Tell me everything.”

  “Hmmm…”

  “Okay not everything, but you’ve gotta give me something. How was it?”

  A slow smile spread across my face. “Amazing.”

  “Yeah?”

  I nodded. “You know when you’re with a guy the first time and it’s just not—things aren’t—well, they don’t jive?”

  “Yeah.”

  “We so didn’t have that problem,” I raved and then sighed. “Can’t believe he’s gone for ten days.”

  “Well, there’s always phone sexting.”

  “Gross.”

  “Not gross. Ingenious.”

  “And you have experience with this sort of thing? You know what, never mind, I don’t want to know.”

  “Your loss. I could give you some tips.”

  “So what did you buy?” I asked, hoping to distract her. “The perfect outfit?”

  “And lingerie.”

  “You’re unbelievable.” I laughed.

  “Want me to show you?”

  “Not even a little bit.”

  My cousin and I spent a quiet night in. I helped her pack, and then we watched TV and ordered a pizza. The next morning I woke up to a quiet apartment. Anita’s flight had been at dawn—I hadn’t even heard her leave for the airport.

  I rolled over, expecting to see Thane on my nightstand. That would’ve freaked out most people, to see a large, hairy, scary spider in their line of vision first thing in the morning—or any time of day, come to think of it.

  But I wasn’t most people.

  Thane wasn’t on the nightstand. I looked around my room, wondering where he’d gone.

  Are we playing hide and seek? I asked in wry humor.

  Up here. In the corner above your bed.

  Thane had spun a web that took up the entire area. He perched in the center, still, unmoving. The morning light filtered through the blinds, highlighting the delicate threads that looked like they were…glowing.

  Glowing? No. Imposs—

  I cut off that train of thought. Anything was possible at this point.

  Did I stay in my bed last night?

  Yes.

  So I didn’t wander around town to draw on walls.

  No.

  I breathed a sigh of relief. It’s a gorgeous day out. I held up my hand.

  Thane slid down on a silken thread, landing on my palm.

  Show me.

  Chapter 23

  I held open my shoulder bag and gestured for Thane to get in. He didn’t move from his spot on my dresser, his reflection in the mirror looking a little…distorted. I could try and blame the trick on my new perfect vision, but I had a feeling even if I still needed glasses, I’d be seeing the same thing. Things tended to look different around Thane. His webs were no average webs. They appeared strong and shimmery—and not like a spider web covered in morning dew.

  How do you expect me to see the city from inside a bag? Thane asked.

  There’s not really another option.

  I could sit on your shoulder.

  Riiiight. I can be the girl that walks around with her pet tarantula on her shoulder. I have enough issues as it is.

  First of all, Thane growled. I’m not a pet. And second of all, I’m not even close to a tarantula.

  I was trying to make a point. You look similar to a tarantula. Most people wouldn’t be able to differentiate.

  And that’s why most people are terrible, and why you’re you. Tarantulas are so…primitive. Mindless soldiers.

  I frowned. Soldiers? What do you mean by that?

  Never mind.

  You and your stupid secrets! So are you getting in the bag?

  No.

  Then you’re not going outside with me.

  I’ll sit on your shoulder underneath your hair, in the curve of your neck.

  You’re a creep, you know that?

  Thane mentally snorted.

  I wear my hair up in a ponytail. And no offense, but the idea of having your furry legs brushing against my neck freaks the hell out of me. And I actually like your kind.

 
Thane laughed.

  I’d consider letting you ride on my shoulder but you’re huge.

  Thank you.

  I rolled my eyes.

  I have an idea, he suggested.

  Go on.

  Do you have a hairband?

  I think so.

  I went into the bathroom and searched through the miscellaneous drawer next to the sink. I pushed aside bobby pins, small tubes of sample lip glosses, hair accessories I wore once every few years but refused to get rid of, and found one of Anita’s old elastic headbands she used when she went running. I headed back into the bedroom and held it up to show Thane.

  Put it on.

  When it was settled on my head, Thane’s legs quivered and then he launched himself at me, landing on top of the headband.

  “Gah!” I yelled. “You can’t do shit like that!”

  I mentally heard him purr as he settled himself. Sorry. Couldn’t help it. Okay, look in the mirror.

  I nearly yelled again. “I can’t go out like this.”

  Why not?

  “Because it’s not Halloween. And I don’t normally dress like Morticia Addams!”

  Not Morticia—you’re more Lily Munster.

  Thane sat on top of the headband, perfectly still. I looked like I was wearing a costume.

  “Nope. Sorry. Not playing this game.”

  I’m not riding in a bag. I never want to feel trapped again.

  His bleak yet forceful tone had me pausing. How long were in you the cube, Thane?

  Like always, when there was a question he didn’t want to answer, he fell silent.

  Thane and I compromised. I wore my backpack, and he sat himself on the curve of the strap that fell to my side. It was the best I could do—I still had my limits, even if I was going insane.

  Where are we going first? Thane asked.

  Um…I don’t know? The Battery?

  What’s the Battery?

  It’s the promenade at the end of the peninsula. On a clear day you can see Fort Sumter.

  Maybe. What else is there to see?

  We could take a carriage ride tour of the city and see all the old antebellum houses. Get some history, hear some stories. Might be fun. I’ve never done it. Anita left me her car, so we could drive out to one of the plantations. I’ve never done that either.

  How long have you lived in Charleston?

  Three years.

  What have you seen, Poppy?

  I thought about it before answering. The campus. The bars.

  You live in this historic, beautiful city, and you’ve hardly lived. Why?

  I don’t know, Thane, I grumbled. Maybe because I’m studying my butt off?

  There’s more to life than studying.

  Yes, I know.

  Do you? I guess I never realized…

  What?

  We all live in our own little prisons, don’t we?

  My life is not a—why are you judging me?

  No judgment. Just an observation. There’s more to life than studying and worrying about grades. Don’t squander your time.

  Not that it’s any of your business, but did you ever think that I was waiting for something to pull me out of my orderly life?

  No, I didn’t. And frankly, you shouldn’t have waited for anyone or anything to do that. You should’ve done it on your own.

  How dare you lecture me on my choices!

  You don’t get it! He blasted back. You’re too special, too incredible to be hiding in the library, head in your books. That’s not living. That’s all I meant, all right?

  My anger diffused. I knew what he was saying was true—my life had been passing me by. All I had to show for the last few years were academic accolades and accomplished tasks. But I’d found Hunter, and he was showing me what I’d been missing.

  You ready to see Charleston?

  Let’s go!

  Chapter 24

  The weather was gorgeous. Crisp air cleared my head, and I felt better than I had in a long time…despite the fact that there was a large spider stowing away on my backpack and that I was mentally conversing with it.

  We spent the day downtown. It turned out there was enough to see and do and I took my time. I wandered down side streets, I took pictures of gorgeous houses and gardens, and then I ate fried chicken and okra, which Thane mocked me for.

  Life was weird.

  As the sun set, I headed home, but at the last moment, I turned up Queen Street and passed my favorite blue house. It was cozy because it had once been a carriage house. When I dreamed of living alone, I dreamed of a cute, quaint place with wooden shelves in the kitchen, a wood burning fire place, a bedroom with a white bed, sunlight streaming in through the window. Maybe a cat, lazing in a patch of sunlight.

  Nice vision, Thane said, startling me.

  You could see that?

  Yes.

  How?

  He paused, and I was afraid he wasn’t going to answer, but he surprised me. Think of it like a computer screen share situation, he suggested. I can see things through your eyes if you let me.

  I didn’t even know I was letting you…and that wasn’t real. What I showed you was a fantasy for the future, nothing more.

  Apparently you felt strongly enough about it that you projected it to me.

  I thought for a moment. Wait? Is that how you saw the painting on the building?

  No. That was you taking a mental picture and sending it to me.

  Can it go both ways?

  What do you mean?

  Can you show me things? Through your eyes?

  Yes.

  Will you?

  No.

  Why are you still keeping so many secrets from me?

  Because you’re not ready.

  Try me.

  What color was the cat supposed to be? he asked, changing the subject. That was the only thing that was hazy.

  I thought about engaging in a battle of wills, but I knew I’d lose. Thane told me nothing until he deemed it time. It pissed me off, but what could I do?

  Gray, I replied after a moment. A thick, gray-haired cat that purrs for no reason and who loves humans.

  So, what you really want is a dog, he said with humor. Dogs are better anyway.

  Hmm. You may be right.

  You conceded so early. Are you feeling okay? he teased.

  My phone rang, startling me out of my head. It was Hunter.

  “Hey, you,” I answered, continuing the walk toward home.

  “Hey,” he said. “So don’t think less of me for admitting this, but I miss you already.”

  I laughed. “I think more of you for admitting that.”

  “Yeah?”

  “A true man is in touch with his feelings.”

  “Whatever scores me brownie points.”

  “Aside from missing me, how’s North Carolina?”

  “Oh man, the kids are the coolest. I had no idea I’d love teaching them so much!”

  “Stop! For the love of God, stop!”

  “What? What’d I do?” he demanded, worry pervading his tone.

  “Nothing. You are just—gah! You miss me, and you like teaching kids? You’re like the holy grail of boyfriends.”

  He laughed. “Don’t scare me like that! I was worried I did something.”

  “Yeah, you did something,” I mock accused. “You made me feel all the feelings.”

  “Well, I can’t say I hate that. So what have you been up to today?”

  “Just been walking around, enjoying my town. It’s weird, Hunter. It’s like I’m seeing it for the first time.”

  “When I get back, let’s do some Lowcountry exploring.”

  “Whatever that means. But yeah, I’m down. Anything to spend time with you.”

  “So maybe, you miss me a little bit too?”

  “I thought that was obvious. I miss sleeping next to you,” I admitted.

  “Me too. Have you had any…ah…problems?”

  “No.”

  “Good,” he said in
relief. “That’s good.” I heard someone call his name and Hunter replied, “Be right there. Talking to my girl.”

  That made me smile.

  “Poppy, I have to get going.”

  “Okay.”

  Neither one of us made a move to hang up, just content to listen to each other breathe.

  “Thought you were going to hang up,” I said.

  “I thought you were.”

  “On three,” I said. “One, two—”

  On three neither one of us hung up.

  “Okay, we have to stop. We’re those gross people,” I told him.

  “Yeah, I know. I kind of like it, though.”

  “Me too. Okay, bye for real. Talk to you tomorrow.”

  “Bye, Poppy.”

  We hung up with each other right as I got to the house. I held the phone to my chest for a moment and sat on the porch steps, just thinking about Hunter and my budding feelings for him. I’d almost told him I loved him.

  But it was too soon for that…right?

  A wave of bitter resentment came through my mental connection with Thane.

  What? I demanded.

  You have a boyfriend, he accused.

  So?

  A cloud passed overhead and I looked up at the sky. The day had started off sunny with a clear, blue sky, but now storm clouds were rolling in. I was glad I’d made it home. Getting caught in cold, winter rain would’ve killed my good mood, though Thane’s silent brooding was doing that anyway..

  Wind blew across the porch, carrying with it a few cool raindrops. I hopped up and fished my keys out of my backpack.

  Thunder growled in the distance.

  Are you sulking? I asked Thane, opening the front door.

  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.