Evolution (Demon's Grail Book 2) by Amy Cross Read Free Book Online

feeling distinctly irritated by this goon. I slip back to escape his groping hand, but he's already fumbling to get a feel of my chest.
    “Well, back when the spiders and the vampires were at each other's throats,” he continues, “it was like there'd never be any peace ever again, not anywhere in the eight worlds.” He gives me a squeeze, and I let him. I think I might need the anger. “I can't stand vampires, myself. I even heard one had been seen around here recently, but fortunately there's been no sign tonight. Nasty, brutish things, and they always act like they're so superior to everyone else. I mean, sure, I suppose we should be grateful to them for getting rid of the spiders -”
    I immediately flinch at those words.
    “- but they can't go riding on that wave of glory forever, can they?” he continues. “Would've been better if the vampires had followed the spiders into oblivion, if you ask me, although...” He pauses, and this time he seems a little concerned. “I was out at one of the trading towns last month,” he adds, leaning closer as he continues to crudely run his hand against my waist, “and I heard some disturbing rumors. Stories that mean a pretty young thing such as yourself maybe shouldn't be out alone.” He puts a hand on my waist. “You need protection.”
    “Great,” I mutter, finishing the last of my beer. “I'm off.”
    “I heard spiders have been seen again.”
    Just as I'm about to turn and leave, I pause for a moment before slowly turning back to him. “You heard that?” I ask cautiously.
    “People at the border areas reckon they've seen...” He looks around, as if he's worried he might be overheard, and then he leans closer. “They reckon two or three people have seen, actually seen , spiders crossing through the darker lands. Not little spiders like you always get, but the big type, the ones that tower over a man, the ones that aren't supposed to even exist anymore. I even met this old guy who reckoned he'd been out one night and seen three of the beasts on the Navarian ridge, silhouetted against the night sky, their legs all clicking and scratching as they made their way to, well, to wherever three spiders'd be going so late.” He pauses. “Now, I don't get spooked by ghost stories, but the idea that there are actual spiders still out there somewhere? That chills me to the bone.”
    “It does, does it?” I ask, unable to hide a faint smile.
    “Well think about it for a moment,” he continues. “Think about those horrible things scurrying about in the shadows, trying not to be seen, I mean... It's not like they could be up to anything good, is it? I've heard enough stories about those things to be damn sure I never wanna run into one. If I even see a little spider, one of the harmless ones, I always crush it, just to be safe. Don't wanna be giving them ideas, do we? Even the little ones, sometimes I wonder if they're thinking and plotting.” He takes another sip of beer. “Then again, you never know when you're safe, do you? I heard stories that some spiders are able to disguise themselves in different bodies, making themselves look like humans and other creatures. It's, like, who can you trust?”
    I watch as he sips more beer.
    “Who indeed?” I ask finally.
    “So you see,” he continues, “it's best not to be out there all alone in the night, making your way along the dark trails far from civilization. You never know what you might bump into.”
    “True.”
    “Come on, then,” he adds with a grin, patting me hard on the back, “enough natter, I've got a bet to win. Time to confess. What species are you from? Or will I only find that out once I start peeling you out of those wet clothes?”
    I open my mouth to tell him to get lost, but then I realize there might be a better way to deliver the news.
     
    ***
     
    “Busy in there, is it?” asks a small, hunched Hoshkian as he passes me a few minutes later, heading into the pub just as I'm heading back