I stepped deeper into the cavern, my wand glowing with the faint light of a readied spell. But before I could fire, a faint, shimmering silver barrier erected itself over the swarming hatchlings.
"Why do you threaten my children, human?"
The voice was enchanting, like silk sliding over stone. I spun around, my heart hammering against my ribs. Standing in the shadows was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen. She was tall—nearly my own height at five-foot-ten—with raven-black hair and a slim, almost unnaturally perfect figure.
I blinked, my voice catching in my throat. "I... I'm just looking for a safe place to stay," I managed to stammer, my eyes widening as I took in her appearance. "But... may I ask why you're naked?"
She didn't flinch. "I may look human, mortal, but I am an Arachne. Once we grow strong enough, we can take this form to mimic your kind."
Her gaze sharpened, turning cold. "Know this: if you still wish to harm my children, you will not only fail, but you will never leave this cave alive. I care not if you kill the adults—they can defend themselves—but the young are a different story. So, what is your choice? Fight and die, or shall we talk for a while? I will decide if you are worthy of rest."
My instincts screamed at me. Every fiber of my being told me this woman was as dangerous as she was beautiful. I lowered my wand.
"I would much rather talk," I said quickly. "Wait... you're an Arachne? That's awesome. But if these are your children... where is the father?"
A shadow of sadness crossed her face. "He died a few days ago. Killed by a beastkin. I am certain that beast is dead too, given the amount of blood left behind, but he did not survive." She shook off the grief, her eyes locking onto mine. "You didn't answer my question. Who are you?"
"My name is Silver Crowshadow," I said, trying to regain my composure. "And you are?"
"Roselyn Blackwood," she replied. "So, Silver... what brings you to these woods?"
I hesitated for a heartbeat, then decided honesty was the best policy. I told her everything—the death by Lego, the Goddess Glacius, and my desperate search for a place where I wouldn't get eaten in my sleep.
Roselyn stared at me, her expression unreadable as she processed my story. Finally, she tilted her head. "What, my dear, is a 'Lego'?"
I spent the next few minutes awkwardly explaining plastic building blocks and the sheer, agonizing pain of stepping on one.
"And how, pray tell, could that possibly kill you?" she asked, looking genuinely baffled.
"I have no idea," I sighed. "But it did."
Roselyn watched me for a long moment, deciding if I was a liar or just a fool. "You may stay here for now," she eventually said. "However, if you do anything to harm my children, you won't see the sunrise. Do you understand?"
"Understood," I breathed, finally relaxing my stance.
As soon as I agreed, the air shifted. The "human" illusion rippled, and her true form emerged. Below her elegant torso, a massive, powerful spider body appeared, colored in a sleek mixture of midnight black and blood red. She loomed over me, fierce and regal.
"Do you still think I am pretty?" she asked softly.
I looked at her—the dangerous grace of the spider legs, the elegance of her human half, and the unique, dark charm of her entire being. "Actually... yeah," I admitted. "I think you have a unique charm. You're still beautiful."
Roselyn was silent for a moment, a small, genuine smile tugging at her lips. "Find an empty area to rest, Silver. You will be safe tonight."