Page 29 of For the Strange and Surprising

That was my mistake.

When I spin around to glimpse my backside, I can see a whole cheek peeking out. I hope Talodus is up for company because we’ll be accompanied by my entire bare ass in today’s lesson.

I’m sure this dress is excellent for flexibility and freedom of motion in a fight. But I can’t figure out how any woman could kick and not flash at least a little cooch.

My only saving grace is that I was so bored I decided to try hand washing my clothes for the first time in my life. As I look down at my cleavage, I almost want to put my t-shirt back on too. If I lift my arms above my head, the entire village will see my nipples.

I’m not exactly modest, but it’s not my prerogative to offer free peep shows either.

And what kind of animal did this leather come from?

Never mind. I don’t want to know.

There are some things that I’d rather not understand.

Once I’m dressed and ready to go, I sit in front of the window, waiting for Talodus. Several guards and Mongrels pass by, but none knock on my door.

My gaze strays to the line of moss-covered trees across from my room. I can’t tell the distance, but I meticulously search for the stranger. As he steps out of his hiding place, no one outside seems to notice his sudden appearance.

As he moves a single step closer, my pulse quickens—unease ripples through me. I feel frozen in place, pinned to my chair, and unable to take a full breath. Each time I see him, I grow more unsettled and repulsed.

It could be anxiety and isolation fueling my paranoia, but I don’t know if I believe that.

Talodus breaks our stare down as he strides past the window. I launch out of my chair and jerk the door open before he can knock. Then I sink my fingers into the cream linen of his shirt, snatching him inside. His gaze is wide while he processes my behavior.

My voice is steady as I ask, “Did you see the man standing in the trees when you walked up?”

His brows dip low over his clear blue eyes as he studies my body language. I recognize slight similarities between him and the veterans my dad was friends with. Some reactions are ingrained in a soldier.

“I didn’t see anyone, but I wasn’t looking in that direction. Describe him?”

“Tall and thin. I couldn’t really see him well.” I shake my head. “I guess he could be a curious Mongrel. It’s probably nothing. I’ve just seen him for the past few days, and it makes me feel antsy.”

Talodus twists his head slightly to peer over his shoulder. But I already know the mysterious man is gone.

“I’m not keen on uninvited guests,” I mutter. “All the more reason to refresh me with some self-defense lessons.”

“You’ll tell me if you see him while we’re out.”

It’s not a request; it’s a command. I nod my head in agreement, though. My past has taught me to trust my instincts, and that man’s presence makes me uncomfortable.

Talodus ushers me out the door and down the path, keeping himself between me and the trees. His head never turns to view the shadows, but I don’t miss the sideways glances he casts. The hyper-awareness he displays feels protective, though it raises my hackles too.

Why does he look so worried?

I don’t know enough about this place to keep myself safe. It was already difficult to manage on Earth, and now I’ve been served a whole new set of rules with no instructions.

When Talodus realizes how tense I am, he rests his hand against the small of my back. The heat from his touch is grounding, not meant to be anything more than comforting. But I allow myself to wonder how rough his fingers would feel as they—

“We’re going to the Colosseum,” he informs me. “It’s a training facility for the guards.”

I clear my throat, blinking out of my stupor. I need a distraction until I can control my raging hormones. Getting myself off crosses my mind briefly before adding my vibrator to the list of Earthly possessions I’m already mourning.

“What’s the fountain for?” I inquire, hooking my thumb toward the floating water bowl. “I saw another the day I arrived, but I guess this could be the same one.”

I glance around, trying to recall the scenery, but this doesn’t appear to be the same place the other guards brought me. The building in front of us is definitely another child of sticks and a castle, though it doesn’t seem as delicate as the Mongrel’s palace.

Talodus chuckles, his amusement telling of the secrets he’s keeping. “We’ll save that for another lesson. I’m on strict orders from the queen. Water play isn’t on the agenda today.”