Page 86 of For the Strange and Surprising

“I don’t know what you mean,” I snark as I mask my hurt feelings.

“Ada,” he warns. “I’m serious. Don’t walk away without answering me, without telling me what you’re thinking.”

“I can’t,” I snap, then lower my voice. “I don’t understand the ramifications of either choice. I know what would happen to me if I went back to Earth. But if I leave, what changes here? If I stay, then what? You still haven’t answered that.”

“I can’t predict the future, Ada. I don’t know what happens, at least not the things you want to hear. You’ll be a Mongrel, learn to control your element, find where you fit in, meet new people.”

I shake my head and whisper, “What if I don’t want to?”

We stare at each other, digesting my question while suspended in time. It’s just me, waiting for an answer, and him, completely misunderstanding what I meant. My brief moment of vulnerability is a wasted effort with the prince.

Ecaeris does exactly what he asked me not to do.

He walks away before I can correct myself, leaving me with two growled words tossed over his shoulder.

“Then don’t.”

28

Adelaide

I gnaw at my bottom lip before I turn around. The urge to scream at Ecaeris has crossed me a few times since I’ve met him, but I don’t feel that now. And that pisses me off.

I’m not going to explain myself to him.

Ecaeris has a problem, and until he learns to use his words, there’s nothing I can do. I have my own issues to sort out.

The wind whips my hair around my face as I growl to myself. I try to shake my frustration, but it’s a struggle. Connak and Talodus step out of my way when I get to the door.

“We came to talk to you.” Connak grimaces. “I guess Ecaeris told you about moving?”

“He mentioned moving me to a safer place. He didn’t say much else about it, though.”

Talodus glances at Connak. “He didn’t tell you that one of us is going to be staying with you until we find the stalker?”

I blink at them. “What was that?”

“Let me explain,” Connak requests, holding his hands up.

“Sorry.” I sigh. “Just give me a minute to change, and I’ll listen.”

I walk into the bathroom and sit on the edge of the basin as I unlace my sandals. The long skirt pools on the floor while I unbutton my top.

Every layer I peel away makes me feel a little more relaxed. When I’m down to my underwear, I take my first calming breath. I put my shorts on and grab Connak’s shirt before I think better of wearing it.

I leave the bathroom and find them sitting on my bed… Looking like a wet dream as they lean against the headboard. Having them both in my room is really taxing on my patience while Spiran tests the limits of my self-control.

She’s nearing the end.

“Ready.” I bite my lips together so I don’t say anything more, because I’m ready to listen, not join them.

“I found new prints in the treeline two days ago,” Connak informs me. “And I’m having a difficult time tracking them.”

“That makes sense.”

“How so?” he questions.

“You guys don’t see it?” I raise my brows, shocked that it hasn’t slapped them in the face.