Page 66 of For the Strange and Surprising

I jam my index fingers into my ears, but it doesn’t block out the sound of him shouting for the other doctors. It does ensure that I don’t hear him realign her leg bone… Or maybe that didn’t make any noise. I won’t ask. I gag just thinking about it.

He strides to a tray of supplies, and I remove my fingers as I ask, “Why isn’t that right? What aren’t you telling me?”

Imryll shakes his head, brows drawn together. “I’m a good doctor because I’m a healer. But, Ada, I didn’t do—”

“He’s an exceptional healer,” Selmar interjects. “And a great doctor; however, those are two separate compliments. He didn’t need to become a doctor to heal. You don’t need one to have the other. It’s a natural ability that very few people are born with.”

“Explain this, Selmar.” Imryll waves his hand above Sera’s sleeping form.

The elder doctor studies her, and for a split second, he displays a surprised sort of frown as his eyes grow wide. Then he shrugs, and I get the feeling that this man has seen and done it all.

“I can foresee three things to explain this to you.” He holds his fingers up before pointing from Sera to me to Imryll. “Either she’s a healer, Ada is a healer, or your ability has taken an unbelievable leap in growth today.”

What the fuck?

“I think—Uhm. I’ll be outside if you need me.”

And I walk right the hell out of the clinic for a breath of fresh air. Not that running away from that conversation does me any freaking good.

A moody prince sits on the ground. But I can’t be bothered to snark at him with my mind whirling. I need that distraction I was offering earlier. I need it now and for as long as it takes me to process… whatever the fuck I just witnessed.

Ecaeris is holding pieces of loose paper against his right palm, trying to scribble a note. He’s got his left leg extended, his right knee bent, and his hair mused. This isn’t the regal appearance I’m used to, but his frustration makes him look human.

“Here.” I kneel in front of him, giving him my back.

“What are you doing?”

He’s perplexed. I guess I can understand that. I’m sure it didn’t dawn on him that multiple surfaces can be used as a writing aid.

“Put it on my back.”

Talodus coughs, hearing my command as he exits the clinic. I glare at him, and he holds his hands up with a grin.

“Put the paper on my back,” I amend, glancing over my shoulder. “It’ll be easier to write—What are you writing?”

“A message.” Ecaeris watches Talodus as he hesitantly places the paper on my back. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah,” he responds hastily. “I’m good. Just… Tired.”

I feel the pen gliding, tickling my skin, but it’s not enough to keep my mind busy. “Did you ask—”

“I’ve already sent those messages, Ada,” Ecaeris murmurs. “This is a warning about the frequency of attacks rising.”

“What are we going to do?” I inquire.

“We? Nothing,” he says, arrogant as he scoffs. “You are going to stay out of it so you don’t get hurt.”

Talodus snorts. “Should have told her to do the exact opposite of what you wanted.”

“I mean it, Ada,” Ecaeris warns.

“Sure,” I agree, much too easily.

Ecaeris huffs, and Talodus surveys me with a keen gaze.

We all know I’m lying.

I still want to go home. The issues keep pulling me back in, though. I feel like I’m stuck in one of those horrid suspense movies, just screaming at the TV.