Book Five: Chapter 45

When the Vieille Charité came into view, the Arachne slowed down and approached the building cautiously. She scaled the outer walls of the almshouse and then jumped down into the main courtyard.

As Abella and Pierre descended, the Arachne laid the prostitute on the ground by the chapel. With a nervous glance at the surrounding buildings, she backed away and vanished into the shadows.

Abella and Pieree circled overhead for several minutes, watching. It was too dark to see anything other than the huddled figure on the ground.

“Did she just leave her there?” Abella asked.

“I don’t know. The Arachne are a strange breed.”

“Maybe...maybe she had a change of heart.”

Pierre scoffed. “I doubt it. Why would you even suggest such a thing?”

“Because...well, they are half-human, aren’t they?” Abella was circling lower now. “Perhaps she decided against eating her and left her where someone would find her