His days with Sonia at the shack were not altogether unpleasant. She brought him venison to eat (which Skyler had to cook himself because the Spider was not comfortable around fire). She also brought candy and ale and vodka. One time she even managed to procure an entire apple pie from the windowsill of some unsuspecting farmwife.

The Spider spent her days hunting the forest, stalking the rural roads, and terrorizing the country folk. Skyler went along with her some of the time, and was proud to see he could match the woman?s prowess in the commitment of misdeeds. Like Sonia, he seemed to enjoy crimes and transgressions. They were thrilling . . . and satisfying.

One night as Skyler sat cross-legged before the hearth in the old shack, gazing thoughtfully into the fire, he heard a gentle whisper behind him. He turned to see Sonia naked upon the blankets, on her hands and knees, her slender, shapely bottom swaying back and forth. The movement was reminiscent of the pendulum of a grandfather clock. It was as though she was trying to hypnotize him. She glanced over her shoulder with lusting eyes. ?When will you indulge your sexual desires?? She slid her hand down between her thighs and touched herself with the tip of her finger. ?I?m yours to ravage if you wish.?

Skyler?s eyes followed her finger, watched it disappear inside of her and reemerge moist. He understood what she wanted him to do, but it was no good. He felt no desire for her. After a moment he glanced away, disinterested.

There was a hiss from the dark behind him. ?Why do you refuse me??

?I?m not attracted to you,? he told her.

There was a long pause, as she apparently struggled to come to grips with this revelation. ?Why not??

The boy shrugged his slender shoulders, still gazing into the fire. ?I prefer mates of my own race.?

The Spider approached on hands and knees. She crawled in circles around him, her back arched seductively. Her pale skin seemed to glow in the light of the flames. ?I can bring you a woman,? she proposed. ?Describe what type you desire and I will deliver her to you here.?

?Blonde. Big boobs. Big butt,? mused Skyler.

Sonia studied him curiously for a moment, then got up and began to dress.

Skyler rose and caught her arm. ?I was kidding. I?ll go into the city and find someone myself. A woman who is taken captive and brought into the woods against her will probably wouldn?t make a very good lover.?

Sonia made a puzzled expression. Evidently a person?s will had no sway in the Spider?s decision making process. ?Fine. Go find yourself a brainless blonde bitch. Sorry I?m not human enough for you. I can walk into any tavern in RhyDin and every male eye will turn in my direction. Lots of men want me!?

?Good for them.?

While Skyler had no attraction for the Spider, her actions tonight awoke a part of him that had lain dormant for far too long. A fierce sexual desire had risen up inside, and it was growing more powerful by the minute. It was like there was a hungry, ill-tempered demon inside of him . . . and he needed to feed it. Soon.

To be continued . . .