Page 8 of For the Strange and Surprising

“I prefer Ada,” I admit quietly.

“That’s a lovely name.”

Small talk. Uhg.

“Thank you. Could you tell me where I am? Possibly how I could get back to Florida or the United States?”

She taps her chin with a slender index finger. “I’m not familiar with those places.”

With a wave of her hand, the guard strides back to her side. “Please send my son in.”

I know my eyes are wide, but she snickers at me once again. She’s as human as I am, so were those workers we passed... Why has everyone else looked like monsters? I can’t help but ask my question aloud.

“Ahh, those are guards,” she responds lightly. “They wear those disgusting things to blend in when they’re on patrol. There are Mongrels beneath the fur.”

“M-Mongrels? Are you joking? I can’t comprehend most of the things that I’ve seen since I surfaced in the ocean.” I rapidly shake my head. “Where on Earth are we?”

“We’re not, Ada. And I’m not making light of the situation. I know I’m asking too much of you, but—”

Her shoulders droop as she sighs, her eyes roving over me before she speaks again.

“We need to get you to the medic. After you’ve had your arm looked at and rested properly, we can talk in the morning. I’ll get a room set up for you and food sent in. I think you may find it easier to comprehend after you’ve slept and are hydrated.”

The door behind me is closed quietly, surprising me for a split second. I didn’t hear it open. I tense my shoulders but don’t turn around.

“You called for me, Mother?”

Isolde grins brightly, her amber eyes lighting up at the sound of the man’s hauntingly melodic voice. Her son.

He stops behind me, positioned to my right, and I twist my head enough to see him in my peripheral. That was a mistake. My interest is immediately peaked. He’s dressed just like the other guards, but I want to know if he looks as stunning as Isolde.

No.

I want to see the medic, eat, and sleep my exhaustion off.

“Ada, this is my son, Ecaeris,” she tells me with a sly glint in her amber eyes.

I can only smile and nod.

When she focuses on him, I feel like I can breathe steadier for a moment.

“Darling, take Ada to see Imryll. She has a terrible cut on her arm that needs tending. I’m going to set up a guest room for her while you’re gone.”

“Mother, ask someone to do that for you. You shouldn’t strain yourself.”

“Stop fussing,” she sasses, tilting her head as she watches him closely. “We’ll talk later. And I’ll see you tomorrow, Ada. You can ask all your questions then. I’m sure you’ll have more.”

3

Adelaide

I abhor depending on other people. I hardly tolerate interacting with them on a good day.

Today just keeps getting worse.

I’m still sulking about taking our yearly fishing trip without my dad. I know he would have been there with me if he were alive, but he’s not. So he wasn’t. I suppose it’s a good thing that I was on my own. He may not have survived the storm.

That makes me wonder about the other people I saw. I hope they’re alive, but I know better.