Page 12 of The Hornet’s Hucow Pet

Andromeda looks at me with concern. “Did he tell you his assessment?”

“He said my case might be complex, so… it will only work if I’m his pet.”

Andromeda’s face instantly brightens. “Oh! Oh, that’s great news. Sylvus speaks very highly of Zyren. He met our last candidate, Celeste—you’ll meet her too before long; she lives out in the desert with Razul—but they didn’t hit it off.”

Something urgent bubbles in my chest that isn’t pain—I don’t like the idea of him considering another. Is this jealousy? I’ve never been the jealous type. Until now, I guess.

My mind skips over that for now and latches on to the juicier revelation—Andromeda doesn’t seem lobotomized in the slightest. She’s lucid, sharp.

I fidget with the hem of my shorts. “Can I ask you something?”

“You can ask me anything. Sorry I didn’t say that clearly before; the whole reason I’m here is to answer your questions.”

I have a thousand questions, but the answers will reveal themselves in time. Just like when I was a Solver, I narrow down to the actionable queries—the ones whose answers might actually change my decision to go through with this.

“Does it really feel as good as everyone says it does?”

Andromeda’s flush deepens as she gives a slight smile. “Yeah. It does.”

“And you’re permitted… activities? Hobbies?”

Andromeda nods. “As many or as few as I want.”

“Do you socialize?”

“Celeste and I are friends. You’re welcome to join us, if you want.”

“Zyren mentioned Jurrasic Park?”

Andromeda’s eyes twinkle. “We’ll have a movie night once you’re settled in! How’s that sound?”

A genuine smile crosses my face. “That sounds perfect.”

Zyren climbs down and offers me a hand.

Fear sends my pulse spiking as I think about what’s next. I lean into that fear, into how it makes me feel alive.

I set my fingers into Zyren’s palm, and he pulls me smoothly to his chest. My heart beats so fiercely I think it might escape my rib cage.

“Are you ready?” Zyren asks quietly.

I take a deep breath and nod.

“Yes.”

CHAPTER 5

NOVA

Sylvus scoops Andromeda into his arms, then his back legs touch his spinnerettes and he deftly weaves a small patch of silk.

It’s circular, about a foot in diameter, and the weave of silk is so complex, it sends light scattering into every color.

“This is an Arachnoid contract,” Zyren explains. “It will protect you and secure the intentions of our agreement.”

“So it’ll make sure you never rest?” I mean it as a joke.

Zyren’s answer is totally earnest. “Yes.”