High above the Topaz Sea amid a cluster of small floating islands that vaguely resembled misshapen, weatherworn dragons, Emerson Larkenwood clung to a vine. Her gaze was pointed directly upward at the crumbling, craggy side of the highest island. She frowned, bit her lip, and wiggled a little, forcing the vine to sway slightly. It remained securely attached to the side of the island, which was great—she didn’t particularly feel like plummeting toward the ocean far below—but it didn’t solve her problem.
The giant spider. Or at least, the creature that looked something like a giant spider. It was black and hairy with bright silver spots covering its bulbous body, and had numerous hairy legs. It also appeared to possess the ability to wrap itself snuggly around a skinny vine while sleeping.
