Page 38 of For the Strange and Surprising

“That sounds like a lovely idea.” She turns her coy grin to me. “What do you think, sweet girl?”

I’d rather jab toothpicks through my eardrums than listen to his smooth voice as he tries to convince himself that I’m a Shade. But I smile at Isolde, chastising myself.

Don’t be a dick. Don’t be a dick. Don’t be a dick.

“That could be interesting. I would like to see more of the Mongrels.”

Isolde scoffs quietly, and I think it's my choice of words that she finds humorous.

“Will you be joining us, Isolde?”

“I’ll tag along next time. I think I’ve had enough animosity for today.”

Ecaeris glares at her for a moment; then, his mask slips into place. He gives her a tight grin as he stands from his chair, but he doesn’t move. He just looms over us, his ire growing the longer I stare.

“That’s your cue, Ada,” Isolde whispers to me.

“For what?”

“To go, sweet girl. Have fun.”

I rise from my chair as she waves us away. Ecaeris marches from the dining room, and I rush to keep up. I feel like I’m running behind him, but his long legs continue to eat up the distance until I’m left wondering if he’s the one running.

Once we’re out of the palace, he slows his stride enough for me to catch up. He observes a group of Mongrels as they pass us and politely smiles as he steps closer to me. When I narrow my eyes, he tilts his head in my direction.

“How was yesterday?”

The low quality of his voice should make it hard for the people around us to hear him, but the accompanying rumble draws their attention. They spot our nearness and whisper amongst themselves.

“Good.”

“That’s it?”

“Good,” I repeat. “No one was injured, and fire didn’t suddenly burst from my fingertips.”

I cross my arms over my chest and rub them, sighing at my reply.

Don’t be an asshole, Ada. It’s just a simple question.

“I think it went well. I knew the basics when I arrived here, so some of it was more like a refresher course. I was exercising twice a day until about three months ago, and it feels good to use those muscles again.”

“Where did you learn to fight?”

“I don’t know how to fight, not in the way you mean. My dad taught me to defend myself, though.”

I really don’t want to talk about it, but I won’t admit that. He’d end up pushing back too hard, and I’m not ready to show that weakness to him.

“What happened three months ago?”

“I lost my dad in a car accident. My older sister too.”

I expect him to ask me what a car is, but he stays silent. I suppose the other residents from Earth have spoken of our forms of transportation, so maybe he understands what I’m saying.

“I found your boat,” he states hesitantly, and I bite back a relieved grin. “Jade pushed it to shore.”

“Jade?” I shake my head. “Oh, right. The kraken.”

He nods, but the suspicious expression he wears tells me that we won’t be talking about the mythical sea creature waiting just off the shore.