Page 33 of For the Ghastly and Beautiful

I blow out yet another frustrated breath. “I found some patterns.”

“Such as?”

“The frequency may have picked up over the last few months, but it ebbs and flows throughout the year. If I look at the dates like a standard Earthly year, then the patterns are more pronounced.”

I shake my head, knowing I’m right, but still struggling to believe myself. “Rin, do you know anything about astrology or the zodiac signs?”

“Not exactly.”

“What month is it here?” I inquire. “It was July on Earth when I left, and I’ve been here for thirty days. It’s mid August now.”

“It’s Leo.”

“So your months are aligned with the signs?”

She studies me for a moment, slowly nodding. “Our months align with the stars.”

“That’s what Talodus was trying to explain to me. The patterns aren’t obvious to Mongrels because they simply look like one month had higher activity.”

“But you see something different?”

“Certain signs represent the elements. Water, air, earth, and fire. Leo is a fire sign. Cancer is a water sign. And Virgo is an earth sign.”

When she blinks at me, showing no understanding, I grab a blank journal. I write all the signs and elements down to show her how they line up.

“What does this have to do with the maps and attacks, Ada?”

“The Mongrels suffer more attacks during the months that line up with the water elements.” I tick my fingers down as I say, “Cancer, Scorpio, Pieces.”

She taps her chin as she processes my rambles. “And you think the other tribes are attacked more frequently during their represented months?”

“I believe so. Connak said the beasts disappear during mating season, but I don’t know if I agree. From what I’ve read, each territory on the island has different species of animals. And none of them are migratory, so they don’t leave their homes. The beasts don’t either. They move around the island according to the stars.”

“Why attack when we’re at our strongest?”

“I don’t know. Maybe to test limits? Or maybe they’re training? But that would mean they’re smarter than they’ve been assumed. Nonverbal communication doesn’t mean they can’t communicate with each other.”

“This is a lot of information to digest.”

I stare at the ceiling, a humorless laugh falling from my lips. “That’s what Talodus told me.”

“Did you find anything on the rosters?”

“There were a few repeat names coming in and out of the catacombs on the attack days…” I trail off, glancing at her before I frown. “Only one name gave me pause. I can’t say for sure it’s him, but my intuition is leading me to say he’s a part of it.”

“Who?”

“Do you remember the guy that followed us into the general store?”

Her eyes dull as she nods slowly. “Yeah. Poko is sneaky, but he’s not cunning enough—”

A rap of knuckles on the door shuts up our hushed conversation.

“Ada? Rin?” Connak calls. “I’m back. I grabbed a few things for you two while I was out.”

I open my bedroom door for him, motioning him inside. He strides in with a basket of snacks, unfortunately dragging in the scent of ginger and jasmine from the general store.

Rin’s breathing increases as she stares at him, unseeing as recent memories invade her mind. He doesn’t notice right away. He moves through the room, setting the snacks and necessities on my vanity before he turns to face us.