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MCBRID HAD IGNORED THE professor and had waited two more days, but it was time to remove the glass that divided the cages. The two Araneas seemed to enjoy each other’s company, spending almost all time together except for feeding when they both went to separate corners like opponents in a boxing match.
They’d be okay together. At least he prayed they would. He’d fed them both in hopes of eliminating Aranea19’s hunger as a motivation for killing her mate. He couldn’t delay any longer. It was almost time to go home.
“Fersia. Jocko.” He felt stupid calling them by those names but in case there was anything of the Servants left in those bundles of nerves that were now their brains, he wanted to coax it out of them and remind them of the feelings they’d had for one another. “I’m going to remove the barrier that separates your cages.”
They both slunk in their corners, pressed against the glass next to each other.
“You may want to move to the other side of your enclosures.” He waved his arm toward the male’s feeding corner. Fersia fed where she was so he didn’t figure she’d move, plus she wasn’t even looking at him. Her eyes were on her mate.
The male turned to face her and there had to have been some type of communication because he turned back toward McBrid without moving. This wasn’t the first time the male had ignored his commands after looking at the female. It was a good thing Conguise was so set on breeding them, or Aranea19’s days would be numbered. He could delay successfully creating another female for months.
“Fine. Don’t listen.” The raising of the divider wouldn’t hurt them, but it would startle them.
The male looked at the female again but remained in place. McBrid pressed the button. Conguise was wrong. They needed to focus on the males. This one, at least, was willing to obey.
The glass panel began its ascent and the two Araneas scurried to the opposite sides of their enclosures, chittering and clacking with agitation.
“It’s okay. It won’t hurt you.” He kept his voice calm.
The female stared at him as she moved to the front of her cage.
“I swear. Nothing is going to hurt you. I’m just removing the barrier so the two of you can be together like you wanted.”
She danced back and forth. He had no idea if she were nervous, excited or angry.
When the glass disappeared into the ceiling the male darted into the female’s cage. McBrid held his breath as she spun around, front legs in the air and fangs wide.