Page 82 of For the Strange and Surprising

“No,” he drawls. “But we could move her somewhere safer.”

Right. A compromise. I’m sure that’s his motive. I raise a brow at him, then Connak cuts in.

“I agree,” he says quickly. “I haven’t been able to locate whoever left the tracks we’ve found. He’s going through a lot of trouble to cover which direction he’s coming from.”

“You found fresh prints?” Ecaeris questions Connak.

“Yesterday,” he announces.

That one word leaves us in prolonged silence.

We’ve been carefully monitoring everything we can, but there’s never any movement when she’s with us. Whoever is stalking Ada is keeping close to us as well. They’re studying her when she’s alone and picking up on our habits while we’re with her.

I stand by not smothering her, and I don’t want her scared. But I don’t want her by herself anymore, either.

“Okay,” Ecaeris announces, leaning back in his chair. “Okay. We’ll move her.”

“Where?” I question him. “Is anywhere safe if someone is stalking her when she isn’t with one of us?”

“I don’t know yet. I’ll start making arrangements in the morning.” He sighs in resignation. “One of you can tell her the news. I’m not doing it.”

Connak grins. “Is she still mad at you?”

Ecaeris groans. “I have no idea. I know I can be a dick, but even when I’m trying to be nice to her, I sound like an asshole. She’s different with all of—”

“It’s Spiran,” Talodus interrupts.

“What?” we chime at once.

“She said Spiran was trying to kill her, but she didn’t mean it literally,” he explains.

“Spiran is tempting her?” Connak hesitantly inquires.

“All of us…” Talodus begins before he gapes. “You haven’t noticed?”

I start to shake my head, but find myself nodding.

“We’re crass when we’re together,” he clarifies. “I have to think about what I say, or I end up turning simple statements into filthy double meanings.”

Connak snorts. “That explains so much.”

“You too?” Ecaeris asks in exasperation.

“I meant hearing them twist words with each other.” Connak laughs. “But yeah. Talodus may be ready to have her naked and pressed against him.”

Talodus chuckles. “Can’t say I disagree with you.”

“I already have.” Connak smirks at him, then shrugs. “And all I wanted to do was slow down, savor the moment. I don’t think I’ve ever craved someone before Ada showed up. It’s always been about convenience.”

Those are staggering admissions from them when usually they’re the exact opposite. Somehow, it makes no sense but yet makes perfect sense.

Spiran is manipulating us, and Isolde has had a hand in it as well.

It doesn’t feel wrong, though. It’s more like a helpful push.

Why? That’s the answer I want to know; sooner rather than later.

“We’ve been open with each other,” I reluctantly acknowledge.