TO PREVENT ACCIDENTALLY cutting herself or anyone else with the Scythian spider, Wilder had wrapped the claws in fibrous leaves and then tied the bunches together with pieces of dried vine. The blades would slice their way out of their wrappings eventually due only to the gentle motion of being transported, but they would remain covered long enough for Wilder’s purposes.
Kes offered to carry the spider from the tree village to Sidhe and Wilder agreed. He seemed relieved to take it out of her hands. Together, they walked to the underground settlement’s eastern entrance.
“Have you been to the power control room before?” asked Kes. He’d asked for permission to take Wilder there the previous day and received the okay.
“No way,” Wilder replied. “Not allowed.” Although she’d been to plenty of
