Alex Verus Novels, Books 1-4 (9780698175952) by Benedict Jacka Page B

big eyes, then took a deep breath and edged across the room. She managed to make it past Arachne without flinching or screaming, and Arachne’s eight eyes followed her as she stepped sideways into the tunnel. She gave me one last nervous look and backed away.
    “Well,” Arachne said brightly once Luna had gone. “She seems nice.”
    “Sorry about that,” I said. “Like I said, she’s—”
    Arachne waved a foreleg. “Oh, I’m used to it. Now let me have a proper look at you.”
    For something so big and heavy, Arachne is a lot faster than she has any right to be. She was looming over me almost before I knew she was moving, one leg on either side of me and eight black eyes looking down from above. This was why I’d wanted Luna out of the room. No matter how well she’d managed to control herself, I thought it would be best if Luna had a little time to calm down before she saw Arachne’s way of having a chat. It’s really not as threatening as it looks; Arachne just wanted to see me properly. She’s very nearsighted, and she’s most comfortable when she can use her sense of touch, which means her favourite way to talk to someone is to have them right between her front legs, under her fangs. I sat down on one of the couches and patted one of Arachne’s hairy legs. “Good to see you again.”
    “And it’s nice to meet your friend at last. I’d wondered why you’d been so busy the last few months.”
    Despite her looks Arachne smells nice, kind of like incense. Sitting next to her feels almost like being in a herbalist’s. “Well, that’s part of the reason we’re here.”
    “That’s a nasty little weaving she has. You’ve been trying to unravel it, haven’t you?”
    “You can see it?” I said in surprise, then shook my head. “Of course you would. Yeah, I’ve had a few tries. Didn’t work, though.”
    “Of course not, it’s grown up with her. The spell’s woven into her pattern.”
    “Any way to take it off?”
    “Not without killing her.”
    I sighed. “Kind of what I figured. Listen, you have to be careful not to get too close to her. The width of a room is fine, but any closer than that—”
    Arachne gave a gentle hissing sound and her mandibles vibrated; her equivalent of laughing. “Silly child. A little weaving like that won’t hurt me.”
    I looked up in surprise. “You can avoid it?”
    “Now, before she gets back, why don’t you tell me why you’re going to the ball? I don’t remember you being one of the Council’s favourites.”
    I explained to Arachne then, telling her all about Lyle and his offer, leaving very little out. “And Lyle’s not the only one,” I finished. “Some Dark mages want my help too, and they’re tracking Luna. I wanted to ask you a favour and see if she could stay here until I get the chance to talk to some people at the ball. If I’m lucky I’ll be able to clear things up there.”
    Arachne sat in silence for a moment. Her opaque eyes looked down at me, showing nothing. “You’re in dangerous waters, Alex.”
    I shrugged. “Mages always want to use diviners for what we know. It’s just my bad luck they’re desperate enough to come to me.”
    “Luck? Really?”
    I looked up curiously. One problem with talking to Arachne is that it’s really hard to read her facial expressions. “What do you mean?”
    “It’s not luck that’s made every other diviner in these islands vanish.” Arachne settled herself down slightly. “My customers have been running thin the past few weeks.Something is going on, and the careful mages don’t want to be involved.”
    I had to grimace at that. “And I’m already involved. Great. I don’t suppose you know what it is?”
    Arachne rustled a no. “I think you should find out. I’ll watch your apprentice.”
    I laughed. “She’s not my apprentice. But thanks.”
    Arachne tilted her head, and a moment later I heard Luna’s footsteps approaching. I got up off the couch and ducked between Arachne’s