Kingdom of Ash (Throne of Glass, #7)

by Sarah J. Maas

Manon debated it. Then shrugged. “I shall keep this painless. Consider that my debt owed to you.” Sucking in a breath, Manon readied for the blow— “Wait.” The spider breathed the word. “Wait.” “From insults to pleading,” Asterin murmured. “Who is spineless now?” The spider ignored the Second, her depthless eyes devouring Manon, then Dorian. “Do you know what moves in the South? What horrors gather?” “Old news,” Vesta said, snorting. “How do you think I found you?” the spider asked. Manon stilled. “So many possessions left at Morath. Your scents all over them.” If the spider had found them here that easily, they had to move out. Now. The spider hissed, “Shall I tell you what I spied a mere fifty miles south of here? Who I saw, Blackbeak?” Manon stiffened. “Crochans,” the spider said, then sighed deeply. Hungrily. Manon blinked. Just once. The Thirteen had gone equally still. Asterin asked, “You’ve seen the Crochans?” The spider’s massive head bobbed in a nod before she sighed again. “The Crochans always tasted of what I imagine summer wine to be like. What chocolate, as you call it, would taste like.” “Where,” Manon demanded. The spider named the location—vague and unfamiliar. “I will show you where,” she said. “I will guide you.” “It could be a trap,” Sorrel said. “It’s not,” Dorian said, his hand still on the hilt of his sword. Manon studied the clarity of his eyes, the squared shoulders. The pitiless face, yet inquisitive angle to his head. “Let’s see if her information ...