Page 71 of The Salvation

I fold my arms in front of me, careful not to harm any of the spiders, and lower my head in respect as the alluring queen makes her way toward me. Silken strands cascade from her obsidian body like an enchanting cape.

“Tell me, little scars...” she coos while approaching me until her shadow eclipses my meager body. “Why has your half-soul embarked into my—oh! Well, now...I haven’t smelledhimin quite a long time indeed!”

My lips tug into a smile, and I dare to lift my chin and meet her transcendent eyes. “He sends his regards. He said I would like you, and I must agree.” I bow my head again, noticing Jinxy nearby as he bats at some of the fallen netting. Necrosyne doesn’t seem to mind.

“Humph, do not believe flattery will spare you my jaws,” she quips and begins to circle me. “Or your pretty scars. You have given me leave to pause but not to care.”

“Then, I better not waste my time remarking on how wondrous the world you’ve spun is. But that wouldn’t be flattery, Your Highness. It’s simply the truth.”

She blinks a couple of times, one leg curling in extension, which I hope is a good sign. I shiver a little because the babyspiders haven’t paused, and they’ve made their way around my breasts, their tiny legs skirting across the ink around my nipples.

“Come now, babies...” the Queen summons them before focusing on me. I sigh my relief as the tiny spiders make little sighing sounds as they depart from my person while Necrosyne adds, “You may put your dress on, child of scars.”

I hope that’s a good sign and don’t waste any time. “Do you know why I’m here?” I wonder, glancing at the ghosts and other spiders approaching from behind the Queen.

“You are here for what many have tried and failed to collect.” Her abdomen pulsates in rhythmic vibrations, displaying her lack of care, her sense of control. “And I am growing bored...” She taps her leg—quick but not aggressive—so I know I don’t have much time.

It’s pointless to try and curry favor or make a request. I imagine asking for the objects would be worse than flattery. Too audacious for how timeless and regal she is. “How about a challenge?” I say with a sly smile.

“Are you not the cheeky one?” Necrosyne responds after a pause, but I can tell by the way her eyes shimmer that she is more intrigued. Especially with how she clicks her mandible once. “Very well, child of scars. I will accept your challenge, but I name the terms and the stakes.”

“As it should be.”

“Indeed. While I may not know your history, child, I may see glimpses into your soul. I find the pieces. I know what to do with them. My challenge is this...” She glides her body into a gentle arch, conveying her engagement, and continues, “I will spin you three scenes. A variety of objects from both our pasts will manifest in these scenes. I will present a riddle. And for every correct object you collect, you will gain one object for why you have come. If you guess wrong,youwill becomemyobject. Do we have an accord?”

I chew on my inner cheek, but I already know I will surrender because there is no other option. If I were to refuse, it would only insult her, and I would become her object anyway. And if this buys me time for Qora to do whatever she needs...

So, I nod. “Yes, we have an accord.”

Her antennae curve toward me. Her eyes gleam. “Follow me, child of scars.”

25

“If the weaver catches you, it will be your end.”

QORA

Spiders are notoriously short-sighted.

They sense the vibrations of their webs, but if there’s one thing life as a Shadow taught me, it’s how to stay hidden and quiet. I know why he sent me here. Beyond the opportunity to reunite with my sister, he knew. Somehow, the God of Souls knew what would happen. Just as Quinn puts her trust in me, I trust him.

I shake my head with an internal laugh, remembering what Quintessa called him, the name she learned from Merikh. The Unseen. Because the Unseen doesn’t do anything by chance, including fucking me right before he sent me into the Hollows. I’m still covered in his essence. Between that and my invisible history, not to mention how much time I spent keeping my mouth shut with Kronos or how many times I waited in the dark, I know I can do this.

It still doesn’t stop me from spying on Quinn, making sure she’s okay. By now, she shouldn’t surprise me so much. It’s nothow she’s made friends with spiders and their huge mother. Or how she hasn’t trembled once during the process.

It’s how she’s grown an edge, some more spine. Not simply naive boldness. No, this Quinn has some craft to her. Throwing down a challenge like that, her shrewdness of catching aspiderwith honey...she’s not just the mad little fool of our past anymore. Oh, that girl is still there, I muse with warmth spreading in my chest. But she’s...wiser. She’s a mother now, and I couldn’t be prouder of her. While I don't desire such a fate, I am happy for her.

Tears sting my throat, but I swallow them. They won’t help.

Awe washes over me as I observe Necrosyne weaving a whole room inside this nest into existence. The magic thickens over the atmosphere, tingling into my very pores. Quintessa is drawn into the intricate dancing silk as much as I am while Necrosyne spins a tapestry of objects into the room.

In the center of the room, a spindle stands as the focal piece. I part my lips at the beautiful woman, an illusion created by the giant spider, who hums while she weaves. A mirror rests behind her with a bed on the opposite side of the room.

Various other objects, all formed of spider silk, clutter the room, from a vase filled with dried flowers, a collection of books, and even a flickering candle casting dancing shadows across the webs.

With eyes glinting of that ancient magic and cunning, Necrosyne turns to my mad little sister and challenges her, “Two siblings of sharpness, kin of design. One pierces through with a point so fine, the other slices cleanly—a cut so divine.”

Oh, that sly, twisted spinster. Siblings, not only in objects, but she knows Quintessa once possessed a Shadow. It’s the first time I’ve ever felt gratitude for being invisible. Because it’s the only way to help my sister.

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