Araneae Nation: The Complete Collection

by Hailey Edwards

  He let Vaughn kneel before kicking him with rib-cracking force. He landed on his back with a snarl, but one fluid wave of his body propelled himself onto his feet. The guard stumbled back.

  When he glanced toward me, Vaughn stepped between us and shielded me as I stood.

  “Thank you,” I whispered to him.

  He gave me a curt nod as the guard circled us.

  “Enough of that, now, they’ll be no talking among prisoners.” He caught my arm and hurled me to the ground. My teeth jarred on impact. “Let’s see how you manage without his help, eh?”

  Cold wind blew hair from my eyes. I startled to find the shade squatting at my feet. Eerily solid hands pulled me into a sitting position. I dug in my heels to give him leverage.

  Both the guard and Vaughn stared as I seemed to float to my feet.

  Vaughn’s jaw was tight when he said, “I think she managed fine on her own.”

  “How did you—? You’re that spirit walker Torrance mentioned. I didn’t think you could…” He rubbed a hand down his face. “It was a trick. It must be.” He stabbed the air in my direction, eyes gone hard and voice cracking. “No more tricks. Walker or not, you’ll die just the same if we leave you here.” He jerked his chin. “Get on with it. The others are waiting right over that hill.”

  I got the impression he was shoring his confidence and not warning us. From the edge of my vision, the shade smiled. His face blurred, but his fangs were prominent and his amusement was evident.

  Vaughn bumped into my shoulder. “You’ll have to teach me that trick one day.”

  “I’ll do that.” Once I figured out why a spirit intent on harming me had begun helping me. After we crested the hill, I stopped short. “I don’t understand.”

  Bram and Lleu clutched their stomachs, their faces paler than the shade’s. Pascale sat with her back against a tree. Her eyes were wide, dilated. Six bodies littered the ground. Four were males from our party. Another five huddled, seemingly unharmed, as they spoke with our captors.

  “Your heart is too soft.” Vaughn took the first step toward them. “They’re traitors, the lot of them.” His tone held no anger, but his voice was loud enough they all heard. “As Colleen will have her justice, so will I. Punishment for betrayal is death, and I am a practiced executioner.”

  Mad laughter shattered the quiet.

  “You hear that?” Lleu cackled. “Your graves are marked. Do us a favor and climb in them.”

  A swift kick to his jaw by a Theridiidae silenced him. Lleu’s grin was fiercer when painted with blood. The same foolish male grasped Lleu by the jaw. His thumb dug into the left side of Lleu’s face while his fingers shoved Lleu’s right cheek upward and distorted his expression.

  “You’re only alive until we determine who your sire is and whether he will pay to have your worthless hide returned to him intact.” As he shook Lleu’s head from side to side, his hand slid higher, until the webbing between his thumb and finger brushed Lleu’s lips.

  “Don’t put your hand so close to his—” The warning from Torrance came too late.

  With a roar, Lleu snapped at the hand covering his mouth. The Theridiidae screamed and yanked, but Lleu’s teeth sank deeper. Blood trickled down Lleu’s chin, and when the male stumbled back, he was missing a mouthful of flesh, which Lleu chewed with relish. When he swallowed, audibly, my stomach rebelled. Thank the gods it was empty.

  I had been aware of the Mimetidae’s cannibalistic tendencies in the same peripheral way as I knew my dear friend’s husband snored or that Lourdes enjoyed a good hand massage after a hard day’s work. There were things I had heard, not that I had seen or had firsthand knowledge of. No meager warning could have prepared me for witnessing Lleu as he partook of his enemy’s flesh.

  “Easy there, little mouse.” Vaughn’s voice was a warm whisper in my ear. His breath hit my throat, and his lips hovered too close for my comfort. “Breathe past it. There’s nowhere to run.”

  Exhaling, I righted myself and severed all contact with him. I had toyed with this predator, invited his attention when morbid curiosity got the better of me and let the slow burn in my gut evaporate my common sense. Before that night in the tunnels, I had feared him as I feared a wild canis. Those few touches, those few glimpses stolen of his darker self, I had ignored…until now.

  Try as I might, Vaughn’s nature was not to be ignored.

  “I suppose it was for the best I never made that visit.” His eyes were flat, black and dull. His voice was empty. “I won’t touch you again, but stay close. What protection I can offer is yours.”

  I nodded, grateful, but lacking all words except those I would regret later.

  Chapter 5

  Thank the gods for small mercies. My feet were too numb to register how raw they were or that the cold had made my heels split. The soles of my shoes were damp with blood, and every so often I heard the mournful calls of canis from the nearby woods and cringed. For whatever reason, the pack under Theridiidae control avoided me. Not even the scent of fresh blood lured them from their masters.

  I had the feeling the wild canis had no such objections to sampling my flavor.

  “How are you holding up?” Vaughn asked so low I strained to hear him.

  “I’m well.” As well as any of us were. “How are you?”

  How polite our conversation, despite our dire situation.

  “I smell blood. Yours.” He stared ahead. “They will pay drop for drop. I swear it.”

  His vow made my sluggish blood run colder. Yes, I had been a fool to dismiss this warrior’s nature. How easily he made me forget, how shocking the harsh remembrance was. I shuddered.

  Scanning the area for distraction, I saw none of our fellow prisoners. “Can you see Pascale?”

  “No. They’ve moved her again. She’s no longer riding with Torrance. I do scent she’s near.”

  I nodded, relieved by that. “What about Lleu? Can you see him or Bram?”

  Vaughn towered over me, his view of ursus backs rather than their nubby tails.

  “Bram is well enough.” A muscle ticked in his jaw. “Lleu is less so.”

  “They’re suffering venom sickness.” I had surmised as much. “Lleu is Theridiidae too?”

  “His father is,” Vaughn said slowly. “His mother was a clanswoman of mine.” He frowned. “You’re familiar with the circumstances of Rhys’s birth. Lleu was born into a similar situation.”

  Ah. So he was a bastard too. I’d seen the wound in Lleu’s side, knew the Theridiidae had used their poisoned arrows to kill the honorable among our party. That Lleu hadn’t died meant he was immune, as Bram was, from their venom. As for why they’d poisoned Bram, I wagered they had wanted him to suffer as a precursor to the fate awaiting him upon his return to their clan home.

  Venom sickness was miserable. Both males would live, but they would suffer for it.

  “Do you think his father will purchase his freedom? That’s why he’s still alive, isn’t it?”

  “No,” Vaughn said simply. “He won’t.”

  My nails dug into my palms. “What sort of parent wouldn’t—?”

  “You can’t understand.” Vaughn scoffed. “Lleu will die before naming his father.”

  I smarted at his tone. “Then he’s a fool.”

  “Perhaps, but his foolishness has kept him alive this long.”

  “So this is our plan then? We march until our toes blacken and hope we’re ransomed by our clans before the Theridiidae grow bored of playing host?” I kicked a mound of snow and tripped.

  Vaughn’s shoulder prevented my fall. “Calm yourself and save your strength.”

  It was hard tamping down my anger when it warmed me so well. “I will do as you ask.”

  “See that you do.” His gaze strayed toward the horizon. “At this pace, we’ll reach the veil by tomorrow night. You need your wits about you for the crossing. You know the danger it poses.”

  “I am well aware.” Its danger was more acute to those like me with t
ies to the spiritlands.

  The veil separated the northlands from the southlands, eternal winter from eternal summer. I held similar views to those of my mentor, Old Father. He believed the pulsing energy curtain was a remnant from when the two gods forged this, their Second World. As their First World had been consumed by fire, their Second World was capped with ice. Balance had been struck. Neither of the seasons held sway over the other. The cost of that balance was another matter. The rumors of Araneaeans who entered the veil and never returned were true. Since the essence of the gods was the foundation for the veil, and all life as well, when its power waned, its stores were replenished by the blood of its fellow creations. All gods required sacrifice. The veil was their collection box.

  Sharp whistles echoed down our ranks. Ursus halted and riders dismounted.

  Sunlight warmed to oranges and reds. I drank in those dwindling rays of heat.

  “It will be dark soon.” Now that I stood still, my feet throbbed. “What will they do with us?”

  “Tie our feet and sit us close enough to the fire we don’t freeze.” His smile was grim. “If we get lucky, they may give us bread and water. If we don’t, then we may have to risk eating snow.”

  My stomach cramped at the thought. “It’s going to be a long night.”

  “With any luck, Lleu and Bram will be returned to us. That gives you three bodies’ worth of heat for the taking. It’s not ideal, but I can trust Lleu to behave…” he sighed, “…within reason.”

  “A night spent between three males.” I hadn’t realized I’d spoken aloud.

  He scowled. “You don’t have to sound so amenable to it.”

  “I have never slept with one male, let alone three.” My cheeks burned. “You surprised me.”

  “I’ve done worse.” He grunted. “I’m sure you’ll survive intact.”

  “Of that, I have no doubt.” Salticidae believed in soul mates. We believed in fidelity prior to meeting our other halves. No male would take from me what belonged to my future husband. Yet another way I differed from Vaughn. He must have had scores of lovers by now, a fact which did not make my teeth grind or my jaw ache. If only I could see his aura, I could read him. I could…

  “You cling to your vows of chastity.” His eyes glittered. “Careful you don’t lose your grip.”

  “My hold on my beliefs is secure.” Only he made me feel as if I was slipping.

  He inclined his head. “You don’t worry I could pry your fingers free of your morality?”

  “I—I trust you to act with honor.” If for no other reason than he feared his brother’s wrath. I denied the tremble in my knees at the idea of seduction by him. “You promised not to touch me.”

  “Fine.” He rolled his shoulders, working sore muscles. “I’ll keep my hands to myself.”

  I sensed a loophole in need of threading. “What about the rest of you?”

  He chuckled. “Would you trust my word if I gave it to you?”

  “I do trust you.” I added a qualifier. “In matters of my safety, you have my complete faith.”

  “Yet the loss of your virtue—to me—concerns you?”

  I nodded before I thought to censor my response.

  His smile dazzled me. “Good.”

  “You there, walker.” A new guard approached. “Torrance says if you have any business in the woods, you best handle it before dark.” He cocked his head. “I know you’ve heard the canis. I doubt anyone leaves the fireside tonight, too damn close to the veil. Everything’s hungrier here.”

  “In that case,” Vaughn said, sliding between us. “I’ll accompany her, to protect her.”

  “Right nice of you to offer, but I have my orders.” The male smiled. “Well, yes or no?”

  “Yes.” If this was to be my one respite, I wouldn’t squander it because of one voyeur.

  “Mana.” Vaughn’s voice grated. “There are more dangerous things in the woods than canis.”

  “I have my orders.” The guard smirked. “Won’t stop me from watching, will it?”

  A low growl peeled Vaughn’s lips from his fangs. “Look your fill, guardsman.”

  Blood drained from my face as I caught the murderous glint in Vaughn’s eyes. His threat was clear. Look your fill and it will seal your fate. His earlier warning hung clear in my memory.

  Vaughn was not a male who made idle threats. I pitied the guard for not realizing it.

  “Get on with it.” The guard shoved me. “Or a squat in the road is the best you’ll get.”

  I picked my way over ice patches and scrambled up the bank. Shadows fell across my face, a reminder to hurry. There were few hours left, and I wanted to return to Vaughn before night fell.

  Another shove sent me to my knees. “This is far enough.”

  “My hands are tied. How can I…? Can’t you release me for a moment?”

  His lips pursed as he debated my request. “If you try your tricks on me, I’ll sink a dart in that pretty backside of yours.” He withdrew a knife and sliced through my bonds. “Anything else?”

  I rubbed my hands to return circulation. “Turn your back.”

  His smirk returned. “Can’t very well turn my back on a prisoner, now can I?” His tongue darted out to wet his lips as I unlaced my pants. “Don’t be shy. You aren’t around the Mimetidae heir. I’ve seen how he looks at you—like he’s starving. You’re braver than me if you’re fucking the likes of him. You can’t play the role of delicate flower when your petals have been parted.”

  Fury made my hands clumsy as I shoved fabric past my hips down my thighs. I squatted and emptied my bladder while the guard adjusted himself. After cleaning myself, I stood and waited.

  “Have you looked your fill?” I asked.

  “For now,” he said. “There are many more days between here and Siciia.”

  A steady growl rose over his shoulder. He spun as I peered around him. A black canis stood there, his lip quivering. The beast swung its head my way, and intelligence brimmed in its golden eyes.

  “I think I’d like to return to camp now.” I took a step toward the road. The canis followed. It chuffed once when I froze and butted me behind the knees with its head. I let it herd me toward Vaughn, bumping my legs when I slowed, snapping at the guard’s heels when he came too near.

  Bracing on a fallen tree, I eased down the embankment. It—he—nudged my hand with his wet nose. I recoiled from his mouthful of sharp fangs, so he snuffled my legs with undue interest.

  The guard trailed us. His gaze locked on the canis, and his hand clasped a dagger’s hilt.

  Rare to own one canis, let alone a full hunting pack. My four-legged guard was too valuable for the Theridiidae to harm. He’d have to take cues from the beast too until its master intervened.

  Breaking through the forest’s edge, I spied Vaughn bound to a fallen tree. Shoulders coiled tight, he tested the strength of the rope. When his head lifted and his nostrils flared, scenting me, tension ebbed. His gaze locked on me, skimming down my body before narrowing on the canis.

  By the time he’d located the guard still several steps behind me, he grinned.

  “I see you made a new friend.” His voice was light, but his eyes were dark, tumultuous.

  “So it seems.” In Vaughn’s presence, I breathed easier. Even with his hands bound, I felt protected. “Get.” I shooed the canis. It swiveled its ears and stared up at me. “Find your master.”

  “I don’t think you ought to shoo him, Mana,” Vaughn warned.

  Its pink tongue lolled from the side of its mouth as it sat at my feet. I flicked my wrist, and it growled until my hand dropped. Perfect. Forget tying my hands, I had a personal guard on duty.

  “You forgot this.” The Theridiidae dangled a length of rope. “Back this way, nice and slow.”

  I laughed, the sound crazed. “You wish me to leave myself defenseless if he attacks?”

  The canis flopped over my feet, miring me in place.

  The guard cursed under his breath, then sla
pped his thigh with the rope. “Don’t move.”

  “I don’t plan on it.” Even when I teetered, off balance, the canis grumbled.

  Running from the fire toward the milling Theridiidae, the guard left us alone.

  “I’ve never seen a canis act so…domesticated.” Vaughn lifted his head, nostrils flaring. “There are more of the animals, wild ones, following us. It’s the same pack we heard in the forest before the Theridiidae released their beasts.” He leaned a fraction closer. “This one smells like them too.”

  “What does that mean?” No wild canis would behave this way unless… I gulped. “You don’t think it’s been infected, do you? The closer we get to the veil, the warmer the weather and the more likely we are to encounter the plague.” I wiggled my toes, willing the canis get off, get off.

  “I don’t think it’s sick. Animals infected by the yellow death smell rotted, even while alive.” His nostrils flared once more. “This one smells wilder than the others. I’m interested to see what the hunt master makes of him.” He bent low and inhaled. “The beast smells familiar somehow.”

  I wrinkled my nose. He smelled of wet hair and fetid breath to me.

  “Eh, is this him then?” A brawny male swaggered toward us. “Rangy thing he is.”

  “He won’t leave the female’s side,” the guard supplied. “Take your mutt and go.”

  Scratching his cheek, the hunt master said, “He’s not mine. Not part of my pack.”

  “Who else’s would he be?” The guard scoffed. “You’re not saying he’s wild?”

  The hunt master spat a guttural command at the canis who flicked his ears and shut his eyes.

  “See that? Didn’t so much as bat an eye.” He waved a hand. “Get my bow. I’ll handle this.”

  Regret stirred behind my heart, but fear of the plague kept me from interfering. Early stages of the illness made infected animals act peculiar long before the yellow death made its body rot.

  I witnessed that firsthand when the plague came to Beltania.

  The guard arrived with a bow, his arrow notched. The canis yipped, bolting into the woods.

  “Clever beast.” The hunt master glanced from the forest to me. “Too clever.” He slapped the guard’s shoulder. “I’d keep an eye on the female if I were you. I heard she does tricks. If she can bespell canis, Torrance will have to intervene. You’d have to be deaf to miss the pack trailing us like babes following their mother.” His eyes cut to the woods. “Or their alpha. It’s not natural.”