Page 39 of For the Strange and Surprising

“Where did you get the boat from?”

“It was my dad’s. I don’t know where he bought it. I never asked.”

Not being snarky is more challenging than I imagined. I don’t like the topic, but I’m instantly alert when he drops it. The village is a suitable subject change, though.

The noises hit me before the aromas.

Metal clangs against metal. Wood burns, and the smoke rises in a thin cloud above the thatch rooftops. Voices chatter, layering one onto the next until I can’t decipher where they’re coming from.

Carts of food and cloth are stationed in the center of what I would call a street. Buildings line each side, wooden plaques hanging above their doors with carved symbols etched across their surfaces. Families bustle by us with armfuls of goods that I can’t name.

It reminds me of a medieval town, except the clothing is more modern. It’s a strange mix of eras that makes me feel as though I’m in some kind of time warp.

“This isn’t a village; it’s a town,” I remark, taken aback by how lively it is. “I didn’t realize there were so many Mongrels here.”

There’s a tug at the skirt of my dress, and I look down to see a little girl with bright blue eyes and ebony curls. She lifts her shoulders as she presents a blue flower to me, squealing with joy when I thank her for the gift. She didn’t speak a word to me, but she scurries back to a cart, jumping as she talks to an older man.

Ecaeris leans in, nearly touching my ear as he inquires, “Having second thoughts?”

“About what?” I snap, although I’m more frustrated with myself for having to suppress a shiver.

“Your mission.” He sneers. “The reason why you’re here.”

“I don’t know why I’m here, but I’m not a—You know what?” I lower my voice. “Why don’t you explain what a Shade is? Then I can confidently tell you that I’m not one.”

He shrugs. “Shades are fire elementals.”

“I kind of gathered that at breakfast this morning,” I say, tucking the flower into my hair.

I close my eyes and take a deep fucking breath. I can spend a few hours with him and not be a snippy bitch. It’s more trying than I was expecting, but I can do it.

“The Shade queen views the Mongrels as her enemy,” he states, as if it’s a simple fact to digest. “She sends infiltrators to glean knowledge from us, but we’re cautious with them.”

“She sends spies?” I open my eyes to squint at him. “Why?”

“You tell me?”

I shake my head. “I don’t know.”

He gives me a bitter smile. “The Howlers and the Dwellers are the other two tribes that live on Spiran. They keep to themselves for the most part. They won’t interfere in the battle between water and fire unless it affects them.”

I remain quiet as we circle the village square. Some paths lead between several buildings and a stream that boasts the cutest bridge I’ve ever seen. Children romp and play. Adults chat and then busy themselves with their tasks.

What I don’t see is anyone throwing water around.

The Mongrels are more normal than I was anticipating.

Especially after Isolde told me they were elementals.

“How do you know?” I question Ecaeris.

I mean to specify how they tell the difference between people holding a strong elemental connection and people who don’t. But that’s not what he responds to.

“I have contact with them,” he confesses. “I know where they stand.”

“That makes me wonder…” I trail off, walking ahead of him. “No, never mind.”

“Wonder what?” He grabs my shoulder, spinning me to face him.