I startle so hard my wings slide out of my shell, ready to take flight. Once I realize what’s happened, I shake my head and run my hand through my hair again, tucking my wings away.
“Fucking hells, Sylvus.”
“My apologies,” the sly Arachnoid says without remorse. “Silence is something of a habit of mine.”
“Hucow… so that’s what she’s here for? But you don’t usually bring candidates out like this.”
“This is something new. I was trying to tell you about it, but?—”
“And I’ll cut you off now, too. I don’t need—” Thoughts tumble through my brain, finally clicking into place. “Wait,she’savailable?”
Sylvus raises an amused brow.
I shake my head, rattled. “That doesn’t change—let me just get you the eggs.”
My curved, claw-like toes grip the latches on the sling under me, and I carefully lower the crate and pass it over to Sylvus.
He opens it to check on the eggs—all a perfect, precise shade of mint green with dark navy speckles—nods, then absently weaves a hammock for the crate and secures it near his table.
“Well, good to see you.” I turn to leave.
Sylvus’s grip closes around my arm, pulling me back to face him. Mischief glints in his eyes. “Youpromisedyou’d meet Andromeda. Come, I’ll introduce you.”
Stupid, smug spider.I narrow my eyes. He knows what he’s doing. “Fine.”
“Andromeda is very excited to meet you. You’ll be your usual charming self, or you’ll regret it.”
I click my tongue. “Sylvus, you know very well my usual self isn’t anything approachingcharming.”
“I must disagree.”
I glare at him, contemplating revenge, as we approach the table.
Sylvus releases my arm. “Andromeda, Celeste, this is Razul. A friend of mine.” He speaks in a human language, so his tones sound odd, like an accent, as they translate through my implant.
Her name stands out.Celeste.
I glance up—and her wide eyes are on me again.
Her blush deepens, and she quickly stares down at the table.
Andromeda is already extending a hand. “Great to finally meet you. Sylvus has told me a lot about you. Especially the trouble you two used to get into…”
It’s my turn to blush. “Yeah, well, the past is the past. Sorry to disappoint. I’m a very boring caimite herder now.”
“That’s the exciting part! The way they burrow down into the sand and just leave their round little eyes poking out? Ihaveto come see them sometime.”
Sylvus leans over and says something quietly to Andromeda, and since he’s speaking her language, I can’t read his lips.
I’m assuming it’s sexual from the way she bites her lip, blushing and wiggling as she adjusts the front of her silk dress.
She clears her throat and adds, “Schedules permitting.”
Sylvus is bold, flaunting his hucow in something translucent like this. The silk hardly hides her dark pink areolas. But Sylvus knows better than any of us that nobody would cross him in this town. And he likes to show off.
“Well, I can see why you two get along. I’m glad to see your happiness so I can congratulate you personally. Now, I’d best be getting home.”
I turn to leave, but my eyes fall on Celeste again. She looks especially small and frightened next to Andromeda’s expansive confidence.
