Hive Queen by Sinclair, Grayson (positive books to read .txt) 📕

“Then let’s not waste any more time. We still have a few miles to go, so let’s pick up the pace.”

We followed Reina as she led us through the winding roads of the forest and to a large clearing surrounded by worn and moss-grown stones that resembled an arena.

Reina dismounted her horse in a flash and disappeared into the treetops.

“Welcome to the trial of visitation!” Reina shouted from somewhere among the trees. “Step into the circle, and the trial will begin.”

The five of us dismounted and walked over to the stones, squeezing through the thin gap available between the sporadic rocks, and entered the field. It was a once grassy plain that had been worn through to reveal rough brown dirt underneath. Some grass still grew at the edges, clinging to the tall rocks that surrounded us in fear of being trampled away as well.

We walked to the center, waiting for whatever it was that we agreed to participate in to begin.

Slowly, a number of Arachne began to appear at the edges of my vision, creeping in from the tree line like spectators to an execution. They surrounded us, never speaking or uttering a sound, just staring down at us silently.

The whole thing set my teeth on edge, and I dug my fingers into my palm to keep my nerves from getting the better of me. I didn’t like this. I was afraid because I didn’t know what was going to happen, and the silence only magnified my fear.

Then Reina appeared, walking along a branch that hung high above the arena. “You have accepted the trial, now let me lay down the rules. You are not confined to the arena if you so choose, but Rachnara and the surrounding farms are off limits. Going to the city will forfeit the trial. Also, you may use whatever tools you have at your disposal, but there will be absolutely no use of potions during the trial, no health or mana. Is that understood?”

We all nodded, though we had yet to be told what we were actually going to be doing. The five of us stood and stared up at Reina, waiting.

  She smiled down at us. “And you will now face the guardian spirit of the Arachne, the protector of the Hive.”

Oh, no.

“Everyone, draw your weapons, quickly!” I shouted, already calling upon my magic to pool my chitin into weapons and armor.

It crawled black up my skin and encased me in a second. Next came my bow, which formed slowly in my hand, slithering to its shape and solidifying. Next came my arrows, which coalesced on my back in a quiver.

I need to be careful. The arrows are made from chitin, and each one takes away from my armor. I can’t be reckless with my shots.

In four seconds, the five of us were ready to face one of the strongest beings the Hive Kingdom possessed. An entity once worshipped as a god by the Arachne.

It rose from the shadows cast by the leaves as the sunlight scattered through the trees. Earth rumbled and shifted as it clawed its way from the ground. The others took one look and backed away, tensing and getting ready for combat as the monstrosity clawed its way from the earth and stood, moving its hulking, bulbous body to face us.

A giant spider, twenty feet long, stood before us, its pearl-white skin nearly transparent as it opened its chelicerae and bared its dagger-like fangs at us.

They dripped deadly venom as its yellow eyes stared unblinking at us. Its bloated abdomen hung behind it as its palps dragged along the ground by its head.

“Fuck, what is that thing?” Gil asked, panicked.

“That is Misumena, the voracious guardian.”

Chapter 15 - Planning to Plan

Sampson

After a quick bath, I changed into a plain black tunic with cotton pants and found my bedroom. It was small with only a stone desk, a bed, and a nightstand with an oil lamp. The bed was a stone frame with thick straw wrapped in cloth that was sewn shut.

I let my sword rest on the nightstand and slid the knife Thrayl had given me under the mattress. It was too dark in the room without any windows, so I lit the oil lamp. As the room filled with soft light, I curled up and tried to fall asleep.

My interface crashed into my vision, and I cursed at the name. By the nine kings of hell, Miguel, what now.

“What is it?”

“Just calling about the job.”

“I’m already on a job,” I growled. “Look, if I’m not dead or in prison by this time next week, we can talk.”

“Okay, sounds─”

I hung up and tried to get some sleep.

Which, after an hour, seemed like an impossibility. No matter how much I willed it and shut my eyes tight, all I was doing was tossing and turning.

My thoughts were consumed by what the Mnemosyne had shown me. I couldn’t unsee it; my stomach twisted in knots, and my chest grew tight with guilt. I’ve been a right bastard to her, and she didn’t deserve it. I shook my head and forced myself to stop thinking about it. It was in the past.

Godsdamn it! What I would give for one night of peaceful sleep?

One more failed attempt to sleep later, and I groaned and flopped out of bed. Maybe a nightcap will settle my nerves. I walked downstairs, and it was hard to see. As my eyes adjusted, one of the windows let in some soft light from the mana crystal outside, bathing the living room and kitchen in a radiant blue light that shone like the moon.

“Can’t sleep, huh?” Raven asked from the couch. She was curled up, wearing a soft white chemise made of silk that clung to her skin like it