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“Ada,” Talodus murmurs, wrapping his arm over my shoulder as he steers me away from the prince. “You don’t need a rock. You need to relax. We’ve been traveling this island since we could walk, so there’s nothing to worry about. Besides, Connak has already killed a spider, and you had no idea.”
I nod, exhaling a breath as deep as the mariana trench. “This is how I die. Like an actual death. It’ll be you guys telling me to chill out while a giant spider greedily gorges itself on my brains.”
The guys laugh as I glower at them, though it only takes me a moment to break, a smile stretching across my face as I sigh.
“We had a good run, though,” I continue, distracting myself with nonsense. “I’ve enjoyed traveling this great distance with you all, but I’ll be returning home now.”
“Sure, you will,” Ecaeris retorts. “And will you be making that trip alone? Because we’re going this way.”
I peer up at Talodus. “I thought you said he would grow on me.”
Connak chuckles. “Biggest lie we’ve ever told.”
“I think he likes the threat of rocks being flung at him,” Imryll teases, brushing his fingertips down my arm as he passes me. “You won’t get rid of us that easily, Ada,”
“I wouldn’t dream of it,” I mutter, stopping to take in my surroundings.
Spiran’s words still hang heavy in my heart. They float atop my every thought as if they are the purple monstrosity, luring fish to their early end with its shimmering appearance. Though it serves its purpose, it doesn’t actually teach the fisherman anything about his task.
Or her task, in this case.
The shining lure acts as a crutch, attracting your split attention and giving you something to chase, only to tell you that despite your power and control… You can’t stop what’s already in motion.
You can only act upon it.
I look back one last time as the canopy of swamp trees disappear from my view. That’s my home, and I’m coming back to it, whole and prospering. I’ll stop this brewing war before it takes any more natives from their families.
Before it takes my Mongrels from me.
EPILOGUE
Greer
Day Ninety-Four
The people who stand opposite me could be anyone, but Ellisar and Nesterin appear delighted to see the man with the different colored eyes. It’s a trait I haven’t seen in person, and it makes him stick more than the others.
“Ecaeris,” Nesterin greets, pulling the man in for a rough hug. “Took you long enough.”
“We’re thankful you made it safely,” Ellisar says, nodding his head to me. “You asked to speak with the next Howler queen. Well, this is Greer Moonwalker.”
Ecaeris steps aside, revealing a beautiful woman with fiery red hair. “This is Ada Stormbrave, Mongrel queen in waiting.”
“Thank you for welcoming us,” she says to me, smiling kindly.
“You look like a Shade.” I turn to Nesterin. “Is she a Shade?”
She snorts in amusement. “I’m not a Shade.”
“She’s not,” Nesterin agrees. “Water feels similar to fire. Though they’re opposite elements, they share more alikeness that most realize.”
“And you know the men with her?” I inquire.
“We’ve known Ecaeris and Connak since we were boys,” Ellisar explains. “Their mother is Queen Isolde.”
Ada turns to the second man, Connak, and quirks a curious brow.
“Is Queen Isolde not your mother?” I ask, watching his reactions to gauge if he’s lying.
