Book Five: Chapter 226

He held out his hand and concentrated his magic. Lights danced along his fingertips as it formed into the shape of a spider. It was a great spell to work on when he needed to take his mind off his worries.

“That’s neat.” Quetzalli contemplated his design. “What are you planning to do with that?”

“It helps me talk to them.” He had the little lightning spider wave. Despite Velvet’s death, he had discovered that he could still communicate with spiders. Many of them feared humans, but the illusory spider seemed to break the ice. It was another thing Velvet had left behind, something that was just for him. He dismissed the magic, then sighed. “Some days are easier than others.”

“Agreed.” She rubbed his back through the fabric of his shirt. “Speaking of easy...what would you say to finding somewhere private for a bit? Dana has been having more issues with her emotions, and time for us has been...sparse.”

Quetzalli was likely understating it. Ever since the fight in