Page 62 of For the Strange and Surprising

“Now, do you want to know what I saw?”

“I controlled your shower with my mind?” I whisper. “That’s a little weird.”

He hums as he taps the knob. “You turned the cold water on, Ada, so why was it hot?”

“How do you even have running water?” I snap, moving away from the basin.

Connak leads me out of the bathroom and opens the cabinet doors to his wardrobe as I stumble over my words.

“I mean, everything I’ve seen here is a mix of modern and ancient styles that make no sense to me. It’s like the people have been picking and choosing the things that they think work best—”

“And discarding the rest?” He nods, tossing me a long sleeve shirt that feels like organic cotton. “You should ask Isolde about the changes that she’s made.”

I give him my back as I peel my wet t-shirt off. “I will when I meet with her again. We have a few things to discuss.”

“Like what?”

“I want to know if I can get some pants or shorts. The long skirts are killing me, and I miss the simplicity of this.” I wave his shirt around before pulling it over my head.

He snorts. “Isolde covets the dresses she creates.”

The soft material falls to the middle of my thighs, and I chuckle to myself. “I had dresses shorter than this on Earth.”

“What did—How do you—” He tilts his head to the side, rapidly blinking as he takes stock of my exposed legs. “If you can talk her into making pants, that’ll be safer for everyone. Talodus may drop to his knees and weep, but I will kneel.”

“Too much skin?” I tease. “What will the Mongrels think when they see me walking back to my room in your shirt?”

“I don’t care what they think, but you’re sleeping here. I’ll stay in Imryll’s room tonight.”

Connak grabs a few things and mumbles under his breath as he leaves me in his bedroom. I can’t make out what he’s saying, though I do hear something about the guys and legs. It’s enough to make me shake my head as I climb under his blankets.

I should have argued, had him take me back to my room. But this is the first time that I’ve been behind a locked door since I arrived. And for some ungodly reason, I find it easy to trust the Mongrel hunter with my safety.

Ten days on Spiran.

And I’m finally remembering what it feels like to have faith in someone.

Even if it started as blind faith.

20

Adelaide

Day Thirteen

I’ve discovered that when I really want to be left alone, there’s always a knock at my door. The interruptions have happened so frequently that I can now tell who it is by the weight of their knuckles hitting the wooden surface.

Today, the loud banging makes me jump. I curse under my breath because I know who it is before I hear his voice.

“Ada,” Ecaeris yells, sounding like his mouth is pressed against the door.

I hope he gets splinters in his tongue.

I’m not here.

“Ada. I know you’re in there.”

“Changed my name; moved to China,” I sing.