Page 117 of The Spider Queen

“You don’t seem angry about your destiny anymore. Why is that?”

“You have your secrets, Maggie. Let me have mine.”

She chuckled. “Come on. Let’s get you and Hunter a hot, hearty meal. You’re going to need it.”

Chapter 45

Hunter packed up the car we were borrowing from Maggie and Seamus, and then we said our goodbyes. We were full of good food and uneasy feelings. I was still woozy, but I put on a brave face. As Hunter drove us toward the cliffs, he sipped on an energy drink. I had power bars stuffed into the zipped up pockets of my rain jacket.

“I’m going to pretend like we’re going camping,” I said. “Maybe that way I’ll be able to wrap my brain around this.”

“Have you ever even been camping, even once?” he asked in amusement.

I shot him a look. “What? I don’t look like the kind of girl who likes camping?”

“No, no, you don’t.”

“Jerk,” I teased.

He chuckled and then sobered. “We’re going to Knockardakin, the highest point of the cliffs.”

“And the staircase is there?”

“Yes. It’s going to be windy, so I’ll tie a rope around us and keep us tethered to one another.”

“It’s surprisingly sunny out,” I commented, peering out the car window. “Wouldn’t that be something? We make it down the entire staircase with no rain.”

“Don’t hold your breath, Poppy.”

“Right, because my lifesodoesn’t work like that.”

We arrived at the cliffs. My hand reached for the car door while my eyes fixated on the ocean. The view stole the breath from my lungs. The cliffs were jagged and rocky, lining the edge of lush, green land. The cliffs stretched for miles and I was intoxicated by the view.

Entranced, I stepped closer and closer to the cliffs. Hunter’s arms locked around me, hauling me back against his chest.

“Damn,” he muttered. “I forgot aboutthe pull.”

My heart skittered like a trapped rabbit as I realized I was in danger. “I would’ve kept going until I went over…”

“Yes. Let me get the rope.” He didn’t let go of me as he went to the backseat of the car.

But I feltthe pullin my blood and it made me antsy. “Hurry, Hunter.”

“I’m trying, Poppy. It’s hard finding what I need with one hand.” He dug around in the backpack and pulled out climbing rope and other equipment.

“How is this going to work?” I asked as Hunter looped the end of a rope around my waist and tied a knot.

“I weigh more than you do,” he reminded me. “The wind won’t be able to carry you off, nor willthe pulldraw you over the side of a cliff.”

“Let’s hope. Then again magic is magic. And all bets are off.”

“Right. Then we better get going.” He zipped up the backpack and put it on, climbing gear clinking as he did. “Okay. I’m ready.”

“I wish I could say the same.” We both stood there for a moment and then I raised my eyebrow. “I’m waiting on you to lead.”

“I’m not the one leading here, you are.”

“Um. I have no idea where the staircase is. You said you knew where it was.”