Hive Queen

by Sinclair, Grayson

  Gil stowed his gold away, his face scrunched in confusion, unsure of where Reina was going.

  “All right, what do you want, then?” Makenna asked, glancing over at us.

  Reina smiled a wicked grin, her four spider limbs curling around her waist. “If I tell you what I know about those two, that would be the same as betraying them in their eyes if they found out, and I won’t go against them without knowing I’m on the right side of things. You want my help, then you’ll first prove yourselves to me.”

  We just won’t let them find out, not until we have Sam back, at least. I turned to the others, who were already nodding their heads. Guess we’re doing this.

  “All right.”

  “Then let’s not waste any more time. We still have a few miles to go, so let’s pick up the pace.”

  We followed Reina as she led us through the winding roads of the forest and to a large clearing surrounded by worn and moss-grown stones that resembled an arena.

  Reina dismounted her horse in a flash and disappeared into the treetops.

  “Welcome to the trial of visitation!” Reina shouted from somewhere among the trees. “Step into the circle, and the trial will begin.”

  The five of us dismounted and walked over to the stones, squeezing through the thin gap available between the sporadic rocks, and entered the field. It was a once grassy plain that had been worn through to reveal rough brown dirt underneath. Some grass still grew at the edges, clinging to the tall rocks that surrounded us in fear of being trampled away as well.

  We walked to the center, waiting for whatever it was that we agreed to participate in to begin.

  Slowly, a number of Arachne began to appear at the edges of my vision, creeping in from the tree line like spectators to an execution. They surrounded us, never speaking or uttering a sound, just staring down at us silently.

  The whole thing set my teeth on edge, and I dug my fingers into my palm to keep my nerves from getting the better of me. I didn’t like this. I was afraid because I didn’t know what was going to happen, and the silence only magnified my fear.

  Then Reina appeared, walking along a branch that hung high above the arena. “You have accepted the trial, now let me lay down the rules. You are not confined to the arena if you so choose, but Rachnara and the surrounding farms are off limits. Going to the city will forfeit the trial. Also, you may use whatever tools you have at your disposal, but there will be absolutely no use of potions during the trial, no health or mana. Is that understood?”

  We all nodded, though we had yet to be told what we were actually going to be doing. The five of us stood and stared up at Reina, waiting.

  She smiled down at us. “And you will now face the guardian spirit of the Arachne, the protector of the Hive.”

  Oh, no.

  “Everyone, draw your weapons, quickly!” I shouted, already calling upon my magic to pool my chitin into weapons and armor.

  It crawled black up my skin and encased me in a second. Next came my bow, which formed slowly in my hand, slithering to its shape and solidifying. Next came my arrows, which coalesced on my back in a quiver.

  I need to be careful. The arrows are made from chitin, and each one takes away from my armor. I can’t be reckless with my shots.

  In four seconds, the five of us were ready to face one of the strongest beings the Hive Kingdom possessed. An entity once worshipped as a god by the Arachne.

  It rose from the shadows cast by the leaves as the sunlight scattered through the trees. Earth rumbled and shifted as it clawed its way from the ground. The others took one look and backed away, tensing and getting ready for combat as the monstrosity clawed its way from the earth and stood, moving its hulking, bulbous body to face us.

  A giant spider, twenty feet long, stood before us, its pearl-white skin nearly transparent as it opened its chelicerae and bared its dagger-like fangs at us.

  They dripped deadly venom as its yellow eyes stared unblinking at us. Its bloated abdomen hung behind it as its palps dragged along the ground by its head.

  “Fuck, what is that thing?” Gil asked, panicked.

  “That is Misumena, the voracious guardian.”

  Chapter 15 - Planning to Plan

  Sampson

  After a quick bath, I changed into a plain black tunic with cotton pants and found my bedroom. It was small with only a stone desk, a bed, and a nightstand with an oil lamp. The bed was a stone frame with thick straw wrapped in cloth that was sewn shut.

  I let my sword rest on the nightstand and slid the knife Thrayl had given me under the mattress. It was too dark in the room without any windows, so I lit the oil lamp. As the room filled with soft light, I curled up and tried to fall asleep.

  My interface crashed into my vision, and I cursed at the name. By the nine kings of hell, Miguel, what now.

  “What is it?”

  “Just calling about the job.”

  “I’m already on a job,” I growled. “Look, if I’m not dead or in prison by this time next week, we can talk.”

  “Okay, sounds─”

  I hung up and tried to get some sleep.

  Which, after an hour, seemed like an impossibility. No matter how much I willed it and shut my eyes tight, all I was doing was tossing and turning.

  My thoughts were consumed by what the Mnemosyne had shown me. I couldn’t unsee it; my stomach twisted in knots, and my chest grew tight with guilt. I’ve been a right bastard to her, and she didn’t deserve it. I shook my head and forced myself to stop thinking about it. It was in the past.

  Godsdamn it! What I would give for one night of peaceful sleep?

  One more failed attempt to sleep later, and I groaned and flopped out of bed. Maybe a nightcap will settle my nerves. I walked downstairs, and it was hard to see. As my eyes adjusted, one of the windows let in some soft light from the mana crystal outside, bathing the living room and kitchen in a radiant blue light that shone like the moon.

  “Can’t sleep, huh?” Raven asked from the couch. She was curled up, wearing a soft white chemise made of silk that clung to her skin like it was painted on.

  “Something like that. Want a drink?” I asked.

  “Sure.”

  After what had happened between us earlier, I expected heavy tension between us, but there wasn’t any. She was rather calm and composed. I went to the fridge and brought back two bottles of beer. Raven shifted over on the couch, making room for me. I leaned back and handed her one of the beers.

  “Huh, this couch is kinda comfy. For stone, at least.”

  “Yeah, but it’s a bitch to sleep on,” she replied, taking a sip of beer.

  I leaned back and stared at my beer, willing myself to take a drink. After a few seconds, I sighed and set it down, trying to find the right words.

  “Look, I’m sor─”

  Raven held a finger to my lips, silencing me. “It’s okay. I do understand, you know, even if you were an ass at times.”

  I nodded and held out my hand to her. “Fresh start?”

  Raven let out a small laugh and finished her drink, before pointing at mine. “Only if you share.”

  “Have at it,” I said with a chuckle.

  She leaned over me, her arm brushing against mine as she grabbed the bottle. She leaned back with a smile and took a drink. When she put the bottle down, Raven took my offered hand, her slender fingers cold and wet from the condensation on the glass.

  “Clean slate.” She smiled widely at me and took another drink.

  “I will say the dwarves know how to make good drinks.”

  After taking a drink, she set the bottle on the table in front of us and tugged her tie out of her ponytail, letting her black hair fall over her prominent collarbone and down her back. She ran her fingers through it, strands of hair drifting away from her to fall lazily to the ground.

  “Much better,” she said and looked at the window. “What time is it, though?”

  “Almost three.”

  “Damn, we’re going to b
e exhausted in the morning.”

  “Why don’t you take the bed? I doubt I’m going to get much sleep tonight.”

  “Why’s that?”

  I shrugged. “Haven’t had a decent night’s sleep since this whole fiasco started. At least some things are consistent.”

  She laughed and finished her drink, setting her empty glass next to the first on the table.

  “Well, since you don’t hate me anymore, what’s say you and I act like adults and share the bed? Its plenty big enough for both of us. We slept in the same tent last night, what’s the difference?”

  I didn’t answer right away, instead getting up to grab another drink, trying to find a good reason to say no but only coming up with the fact that she was a shifter. My prejudices were not fading so quickly. I popped the top and took a long pull before sitting back down.

  Raven smiled at me, fanning her eyelashes and drawing my eyes to hers while she deftly stole my drink from my hand. She took a sip and laughed. “Oh, c’mon, coward. I don’t bite.”

  A hysterical fit of giggles threatened to burst from my lips. I held my laughter and chuckled.

  “I do.”

  She snickered. “Yeah, tell me about it,” she said, her pale fingers rubbing her neck as she stood and handed me back my drink. “Offer’s still open, though.”

  Raven head up the stairs, the silk of her chemise clung to her hips as she took the steps slowly. I turned away from her and picked up my beer, staring at the brown bottle.

  “Damn it,” I sighed, rubbing my stinging eyes.

  I’m exhausted, have been for days now. And tomorrow is planning for the heist. I need to be on top of my game.

  “Fuck it, I need sleep,” I said, downing the rest of the beer and following Raven upstairs.

  Raven was curled up next to the wall as I walked in. She scooted over and sat up on the lip of the bed. “Which side you want?”

  “Don’t care,” I said and climbed out of my shirt and flopped on the bed.

  I took the side by the wall, turned over on my side, and slid my hands under the pillow. Raven lay on her side next to me and shifted closer to me. Her back brushed my chest, and she shivered.

  “Gods, you’re warm. It’s like sleeping next to a furnace.”

  I snorted with laughter; I couldn’t help it. “Eris runs just shy of boiling, so I understand how you feel.”

  “I won’t complain, though, it’s nice when it’s this cold,” she said, snuggling closer to me.

  “Just don’t get any funny ideas.”

  “I would never.”

  After that, I settled in and tried to get some sleep for the second time. It was admittedly easier with Raven leaning against me. I had no special feelings for her, but the mere presence of her skin so close to mine helped, and before I knew it, I was fast asleep.

  Raven woke me in the morning, and my eyes jolted open. Her hand was on my chest, and I grabbed it on reflex.

  “Oh, sorry,” I said, yawning.

  “Don’t be. Seems like you needed the rest,” she said, fixing the shoulder strap on her chemise, which had slipped down her bicep.

  I sat up and swung my legs over the edge of the bed and stood. I stretched when I was on my feet and sighed. The exhaustion that had crept up on me was mitigated, if not gone all together. I feel pretty good this morning.

  I knew for a fact that Eris wouldn’t care in the least that I had simply slept in the bed with another woman, but it still wasn’t appropriate. First Jasmine, and now Raven. I’m sleeping next to a lot of women who aren’t my wife…I miss Eris.

  It was the first thought in my head every day, and the last thought before I went to sleep. I missed my wife, and the fact that I couldn’t see her really pissed me off.

  “All right, let’s get dressed. We’ve got a big day ahead of us.”

  I headed down the stairs to find a slew of items waiting for us on the table by the kitchen. A few packs lay bulging on their backs, just waiting to be opened. Raven padded down the stairs softy behind me. She wore a gray shirt and pants, and she’d tied her long onyx locks out of her face into a ponytail. Raven followed my eyes to the table.

  “Guess Orryn dropped by early this morning.”

  “Yeah,” I replied, rubbing the back of my head. Damn it, if he’d been an assassin, we’d be dead. I shouldn’t have slept so hard.

  I was slipping. The slightest noise should have woken me, and it hadn’t. I’ve gotten too comfortable around other people. The years of solitude trained my senses, but they’ve dulled since Eris came into my life.

  I need to retrain them. Just another thing to add to my to-do list.

  “Duran, come and check over everything. Magnus is thorough, but even he has blind spots sometimes.”

  I’d grabbed everything I thought I might have needed back in the war room, but more supplies could only help, and maybe there was something I was missing.

  I picked up one of the packs at random and dumped its contents out; they spilled and clanked out across the table. Several vials of potions: wraithsight, invisibility, fleetfoot, lightstep and a few Agility and Stealth enhancers. It covered every angle of what I might need, but there was no way I could take them all. Potion sickness would begin to kick in after the third potion, and system overload would follow a potion after.

  Nice to have, but too much. Least I’ll have them if I need them. I turned my attention to the other items on the table, which were much more mundane in comparison. A tightly coiled length of rope, torches and matches, a lockpick and burglar’s kit so exquisite they put the one I carried to shame, and a few teleportation scrolls.

  “Seems like everything we need for something like this,” Raven said as she looked over the items.

  “Yeah, but too many people have already failed attempting this. Magnus sent thieves with far more experience than me, which tells me there is something that we haven’t accounted for. This isn’t going to be easy.”

  “We might die.”

  “Maybe, but at least I can come back,” I said with a slight grin.

  Raven smirked and smacked me lightly on the arm. “Ass.”

  I quickly packed up the bag before stowing it in my inventory. “All right, let’s get a move on. It’ll take us a while to get to Gold Hightown, and then we have to scout the area,” I said and headed for the door.

  Raven sighed deeply behind me. “Least my life isn’t boring,” she said softy before following me.

  ***

  Gold Hightown hadn’t changed much since I’d last been there. While Lowtown festered in destitution, Hightown thrived in opulence.

  The air was even sweeter, less polluted with heat and the stale scent of poverty. There were still plenty of stone buildings, just more refined and well-designed, but it was in Hightown where we started seeing wooden houses and manors as well.

  It was the only place in Aldrust where the dwarves built their buildings with wood. It wasn’t that expensive to buy, but to have it transported, constructed, and maintained in the cool underground cost some serious coin. Only the wealthiest dwarves had the coin or were vain enough to attempt building a house out of wood.

  Most of the buildings were still stone, but it wasn’t just stone, most had marble or wooden accents to their houses, especially around the roof and windows. It was a less expensive method of showing off wealth, but status was status, no matter where.

  The streets were smooth and had been freshly replaced—not a single crack or chip in the flagstones.

  “It’s gorgeous here, and the air is sweeter. Warmer, too,” Raven said, glancing around.

  “We’re closer to the surface, so more fresh air gets let in from the vents that run through the rock to the surface. As we found out last night, Lowtown doesn’t get the luxury of fresh air, so it stagnates and rots on the lower levels.”

  The walk to the Iron Cathedral was a long one, and I was already nervous. Why did I agree to this again? Oh, right, I didn’t really have much of a choice. Raven shifted her e
yes to mine, and I knew she could tell I was feeling the pressure, and she tried to keep me distracted.

  “It’s like night and day,” Raven said as we passed a rather large three-story manor constructed of dark rosewood.

  “Nobility is the same no matter what race you are. If someone can have something, then there must always be someone who doesn’t. It’s the way the world works.”

  She picked up her step and walked along side of me, nudging me with her elbow. “Waxing philosophical, are we? Still, the wealth of this place is staggering compared to Lowtown.”

  “Says the girl working for the richest man in existence.”

  She snickered. “Touché.”

  As we stepped along the smooth cobblestone streets, I kept my eyes open. Humans were welcome to go mostly wherever we pleased in Aldrust, but there still wasn’t a huge number of us in the city. Raven and I would stand out to any casual observer, and that was the last thing we needed before we cased the Iron Cathedral.

  We passed numerous dwarven nobles going about their day. The style of dress had changed slightly, and tailored button-ups with colorful mantling around their shoulders seemed to be in fashion for the dwarven males, while the ladies wore flowing dresses that stopped mid-calf. The dwarven nobles have always had their eyes on the latest trends, but I can’t see how mantling has caught on.

  I ignored most of the looks we got as we passed by, none of them hostile, merely curious. But eyes were eyes, and the less on us the better. So, with a groan that slipped from my throat and gritted teeth, I slid my arm through Raven’s and wound my fingers through hers.

  She jumped with mild surprise at my touch and stopped walking. She stared up at me in confusion.

  “We need to give everyone a reason why we’re here. A couple on a stroll is much less suspicious than two humans walking with a purpose.”

  Raven smiled showing me her pearlescent teeth. “Told you so, husband,” she replied cheekily before getting closer to me.

  I tried to ignore her smile as we walked, tried to ignore how smooth and soft her fingers were around mine. The way her shoulders rose and fell with each languid breath. She was damned annoying when I paid attention to her.