Flex.
The stream didn’t glow. I stared at it some more, but I was getting only clear water. It flowed from a gap in the rock, forming a narrow but deep current that ran across a massive cavern.
Chomp, chomp…
“Will you please quit doing that?”
Bear raised her bloody muzzle from the stalker’s body and gave me a puzzled look.
“I mean it.”
She licked her lips.
We’d been moving through the tunnels for hours. I lost count of how many stalkers we’d killed. We ran across two silverfish bug things and killed them too. This latest trio of two females and a male died a couple hundred feet into the passageway and I carried the largest body to the stream.
Bear had developed a disturbing liking for stalker meat. Every time we had a fight, and I got distracted, she chomped on bodies like they were premium dog food. She tried to eat the bugs too, but they must’ve tasted foul because she took a bite and never went back for seconds. I had stuck to candy so far, but the Kit-Kat bar was a distant memory. We had run out of water hours ago.
I looked at the stream again. Bear padded next to me, looked at the water, and whined. She’d tried to drink already but I stopped her.
In a perfect world, I would have boiled the water, but I didn’t have any way to make a fire. And even if I could, my plastic hard hat was the only vessel we had. It would melt. Well, I could probably boil water in a canteen… It was moot anyway. I didn’t have a lighter or any fuel. What I had was two empty canteens and a very thirsty dog, who was currently dancing on the bank in anticipation.
Fuck it.
I nodded at the stream. “Go get it.”
The shepherd bounded to the bank and began lapping up the water, splashing it all over the place.
“Is any of that actually getting into your mouth?”
Bear paused to give me a look and went back to drinking.
I scooted upstream and dipped my hands into the breach water. The stalker blood faded a little. I scrubbed my fingers. There was dark grime under my fingernails, and I shuddered to think what kind of bacteria was breeding there.
I cleaned my hands as best I could, cupped them, and brought some water to my mouth. It tasted clean and cold. Thank god for small favors.
I filled both canteens, filled my hat, and poured it over my coveralls, trying to wash the dried blood from the neoprene. It took forever. Finally, I straightened. Bear lay next to the water, twitching her left ear.
“We drank, we showered, it’s time for a feast.”
I walked over to the stalker’s corpse, crouched, shifted my sword into a knife, and paused. Bear had been eating them along the way every chance she got, and so far she didn’t have any shivers.
Mmm, raw alien meat.
I didn’t have any choice. If we had found some plants or fruits that were safe, I would have eaten that, but the caves offered mostly fungi. They were conveniently glowing and hellishly poisonous.
“Stalker. It’s what’s for dinner.”
Bear panted.
I stabbed the stalker and gutted it. I was never a hunter. The only skinning I had ever done was limited to removing the skin from chicken thighs from the grocery store. Getting the pelt off took a while. Finally, I cut a ham free and tossed it to Bear. The shepherd chomped on it.
I carved a paper-thin slice from the other leg and sniffed it. It smelled kind of gamey. Disgusting. It smelled disgusting. Back home, I bought a special composite cutting board just for raw chicken, because I could put it through the dishwasher. All of my wooden cutting boards were scrubbed after each use, and all of my meat was cooked to the correct temperature. I owned three cooking thermometers.
This meat was raw. Not rare. Just raw.
“Tacos would be so nice right now. Or shepherd’s pie. I make really good shepherd’s pie, with creamy mashed potatoes and a crust of melted cheese on top.”
Bear chewed on the stalker ham.
“You know what my favorite dessert is? Sometimes, when life’s too hard, I go to Dairy Queen and get a Turtle Pecan Cluster Blizzard. It has pecans and little bits of chocolate. I don’t really like pecans, and I’m not much of a chocoholic, but there is something about that Blizzard. I could so use one right now.”
My stomach was begging for calories. I’d been hiking for days by now and between the hikes I’d been fighting for my life. My body kept healing my wounds, and all that regeneration had to have a caloric cost.
I was starving. Everything ached. If I flexed right now, the meat would be bright red. I had to eat, or I would become someone else’s dinner. I couldn’t afford weakness.
I surrendered to my fate and bit into the thin slice.
No flash of pain. No broken glass. It tasted vile and it stank, but it was meat. I was squatting by the river in a breach and eating raw meat. I’d gone completely feral.
I would make it out of this cave, and then I would never think of this again.
I chewed the meat and tried to think of something else. Luckily for me, I had plenty to ponder.
When we crossed the stone bridge out of that small cave, I sensed something. It was far in the distance, hidden behind countless cave walls and solid stone, a cluster of… something. I couldn’t quite describe it. It felt almost like a hot magnet. It pulled on me, but not in a pleasant way. It was more like a psychic ache, like a splinter that got stuck in my awareness and now throbbed.
The stalkers and other creatures had kept me busy, so I mostly noted it and kept moving. But right now, with no distractions, it nagged on me. It could’ve been anything, but the most plausible explanation was usually the right one.
I’d become aware of the anchor.
Most of the gate divers never felt the anchor. That awareness usually came with extraordinary power particular to top tier Talents. Not all the top tier guildmembers could feel the anchor, but everyone who felt it was in the upper slice of the talent pool.
I leaned over the stream and tried to look at my reflection. I couldn’t really see myself. The light was too diffused. My arms and legs didn’t look that different, but then I was wearing coveralls.
I would have to find a reflective surface somewhere. I didn’t want to dwell on it. As long as I still looked enough like myself to be recognized, I would be fine.
The bigger problem was the anchor. It was closer now than when we started. We were walking toward it. I didn’t want to go toward the anchor. I wanted to go toward the gate and the exit. But right now, I didn’t have much choice. Even if I wanted to backtrack, I couldn’t. We had threaded the labyrinth of the tunnels like a needle, and I didn’t remember the way back.
The assault team had taken a route to the anchor that led away from the mining site. In theory, if I found the anchor chamber, I could try to find that route and use it to reach the gate. However, the closer you go to the anchor, the more difficult the fights became.
I had two choices: to wander aimlessly in these caves or to head for the anchor. Even if I failed to find the route the first assault team had taken, eventually Cold Chaos would send in the second-strike team. Joining up with them would be too dangerous. Cold Chaos wanted me dead. But I could either retrace their steps or follow them to the gate, staying out of sight. I’d gotten very good at moving quietly.
The anchor was the only logical choice. I would have to chance it. At least I had a direction now.
Fifteen minutes later, Bear departed to poop in the corner by some rocks and came back.
“Good to go?”
The dog waved her tail.
Maybe we could take a breather…
The cave wall by Bear’s poop moved.
“Come!” I barked.
Bear ran over to me.
The wall trembled and broke apart, cascading to the floor.
I jumped over the stream. Bear leaped with me. We cleared fifteen feet and landed on the other bank.
Chunks of the wall streamed to the stalker carcass. I flexed. Bugs, about a foot across, with a chitin carapace that perfectly mimicked the stone.
I backed away.
The bug whirlpool broke open, revealing a bare skeleton. Not a shred of flesh remained. If we had fallen asleep here…
“I fucking hate this place. Come on Bear. Before the cave piranha bugs eat us too.”
I headed into the gloom, my loyal dog trotting at my side.
First?
Certified! 🙂
first?
Certified second! 🙂
almost…
Yes but you have the certified stamp😉
Updates were made since
tanks.
Thank you for the goodness!!
Hih? For once, I am early.
Thank you for this snippet.
Oh my gosh! At least Bear and Ada were able to get something to drink and eat. Even if it’s stalker meat.
To be continued!
I had the “Beef. It’s what’s for dinner” commercial, complete with music, running through my head when I read Ada’s “Stalker. It’s what’s for dinner”. 😀
me too!
Thank you for the part I really enjoyed it 😊
Woohoo – Awesome!! “Stalker. It’s what’s for dinner.” lol
Near 1st??
Does anyone else remember the commercials, “ Pork, the other white meat”? My take is, “Stalker, the other other, not quite right meat”
😝
Hahaha oh noooo but, you aren’t wrong! 🤣
🥳
Thank you
I think this might be the closest I ever come to first. Oh well, thanks for the update 🙂
She’s so keeping that dog when she goes home. I’d like to see CC try and stop her at this point, though I think Elias will just roll over and let her take Bear since she managed to keep the pair of them alive 😂
The second assault team really needs to get a move on – where’s this healer?!
RIGHT?! THANK YOU!! GOD I WANT TO KNOW WHAT HAPPEND!!
+1000
My question is what happens when she gets rescued? If she tells anyone about the changes in her and the dog the scientists are going to probably dissect the dog and keep her for all kinds of testing. How does she hide what has happened to her and Bear so they are safe and can go home?
Not first 🙁
First 20! And with a new chapter to devour, so WINNER! 😀
Oooohhhh, Ada thinks Cold Chaos wants her dead. I wonder if she will go on the offensive with Elias when/if they eventually meet up because she believes he’s there to kill her (if her plan to be quiet and sneaky fails). I’d put money on Ada being able to take him at this point.
I wondered about that comment, too. I think I missed how she came to that conclusion instead of just thinking London and Melissa are cowards.
Never mind. ModR answered below.
I wonder if the water will have any interesting side effects?
Wow. closest to first I have ever been. again on the post. Wow.
Ah ah! It did feel like she was getting in deeper into the breach!
I know this was supposed to be a one-off short story’ but I adore these characters. Go Bear! Go Ada! I would love to have more of Ada, Bear and Elias, and the kids, even if its just in short story episodic format. Please consider it HA
+1! To millionth degree!
YES!
From stalker meat to mango meat – was re reading innkeeper while enjoying the multiple mango varieties in India thought it would be fun to share and something BDH would enjoy. https://www.mypunepulse.com/indias-mango-magic-18-delightful-varieties-you-must-savour-this-summer/
I’m so jealous! Thank you for sharing the link!
You are welcome Amy!
Yum Yum fresh stalker meat
Why does Ada think Cold Chaos wants her dead?
She went through the possibilities of what could be happening outside the breach in Chapter 3, Part 1 https://ilona-andrews.com/blog/the-inheritance-chapter-3-part-1/ and reached the conclusion that things would be more convenient for everyone bureaucratically and reputation-wise if she were dead.
There was another unpleasant possibility. If London did own up to leaving me behind, Cold Chaos could choose to deliberately delay. If I was alive, they would face intense scrutiny. Things would be a lot simpler for them if I was dead. Given enough time in the breach, I would be.
Of course, Ada’s character psychology helps frame this conclusion: she’s alone, and been alone most of her life, abandoned even by people who were supposed to stay by her side like her parents and her husband. So she doesn’t trust that there’s a responsible adult who is willing to put up with ripper cushions just for her or for “doing the right thing”‘s sake.
And what does the Horde say to that, hmm? 😉
I’d say that CC vastly underestimates the determination of a single mother who wants to get back to her kids. To quote Julia Roberts from Pretty Woman “BIG mistake.”
+1000
Oh, I hope so very much there will be ripper cushions 🙂 For the ones responsible.
Given that Leo and Elias conversation after talking to London basically boiled down to “We need evidence so no one else hires him after we fire him.”, I think ripper cushions are inevitable for London. Melissa’s probably going to have some negative consequences as well.
I think Ada is going to be delightfully surprised to find that there are some good guys who genuinely care about and fight for others, and that Elias is one of those guys. No wonder that ship is sailing even before they meet! 😁
This is sooooooo good so far, absolutely perfect summer reading (or really, perfect anytime!)
I feel the same way!
The bugs eating the stalker down to the bone reminded me of a post nuclear movie with Jan Michael Vincent in it that had cockroaches that ate one of the characters. It was really gross scary.
Or the scarab beetles in the 1990s version of “The Mummy” with Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz. I scratched “robbing an ancient Egyptian tomb” off my bucket list after watching it…
Mama R used to HATE that scene where the scarab crawled over Imhotep’s face and he snapped it and chewed it.
So obviously I’d always call her in as it played on DVD hehe. Teen years 😀
Unfortunately I’d say that as a rule Ada’s pessimism would be dead on. People are generally happy to do the right thing only when it’s easy. When it becomes hard, they run away and then find some excuse as to why it’s Not Their Fault and they’re still a good person.
Ripper cushions! 😂😁
I say, “Enemies to lovers is my bachelor degree.” Can’t wait for the collision of Ada’s armor of mistrust with the wall of Elias’s integrity.
She thinks that its very possible that CC would rather she be dead than deal with all the bad publicity of London abandoning his job.
*This. No witness, no crime.
She doesn’t know Elias or Leo 🙂
London failed his duty so bad. Enough to lower the guild’s standing, possibly getting sanctioned by the government.
Ada is risk averse, so avoidance is her preferred action.
It’s not like she needs company after all. Jumping 15 feet from a standing start, killing stalkers like wringing chickens, the big bugs too, feeling the anchor.
That aint just the fancy sword bracelet any more.
Hmmm. Bear cleared that 15 foot stream too. I believe that is also a fairly giant leap for a dog?
But a small step for Horde-kind. Because we already love Bear as much as we can 😉
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤦♀️🐶
meat is meat lol we’ll just call it exotic meat 🙂
Thanks for the chapter IA
Looking forward to Friday.
Thank you! Perfect break from work
Ooh, adding even more tension to that eventual Ada/Elias meeting! Should’ve known, HA FMCs always think the MMC wants them dead at some point — well, maybe not Alessandro lol
This could be a new world that would be worth a book!
So Ada can see in the dark? Or is there enough light from the fungi and environment to see? Wow. Go Bear and ADA. Hmmm….if Ada thinks Cold Chaos is out to get her and she might look different how is she going to get back to the gate?
Chapter 4, Part 2 hold your answer 🙂 https://ilona-andrews.com/blog/the-inheritance-chapter-4-part-2/
There’s both bioluminescence and dark-adaptation happening!
I don’t think she looks different, I think she feels different and expects to also look different. But I too am curious as to how she will go back to the gate, or rather how the way there will look like. We are already 7 Chapters in and it feels like a lot and at the same time nothing much happened, considering the lenght this Book is planned to be
Things happen to Ada non-stop 😀 . She’s been attacked and fought off several dangerous monsters, assimilated an alien implant, escaped a dragon, survived poisoning, developed powers, Bene Gesserit recall of memories that aren’t hers, healed trauma, ate doom sushi, and most importantly bonded with a dog. What more could she have done in 7 chapters hehe.
The road to the philosopher stone is the philosopher’s stone 🙂 . The Inheritance is an action adventure, Ada’s journey is the plot.
Nice Dune reference there! So, any cave worms she and Bear could hitch a ride on?
And yes, bonding with the dog is the most important event — just ask Megan Leavey. (Hmm. May not have reached the UK: “Megan Leavey” was a movie about a USMC K-9 handler and her German Shepherd in Iraq.)
Oh, gosh! I’m in awe of Ada!
Oh my, love this story you are crafting. So very good!
I liked the ripper cushions remark BTW…just checking to see if everyone’s awake?
Thank you so much for this, I am really loving it!
Remember when I asked where Ada was so I could picture it referencing the map?
Nevermind.
I *told* you: Ada and Bear are in a cave system :).
And one that would put the ancient Minoan Labyrinth to shame from the sounds of it — and full of monsters that would have eaten the Minotaur as a breakfast snack too…
I believe the map was only for the part of the cave systems. The mining site. And Ada is traveling far far away…
Yes. And considering who was responsible for creating the map (Malcolm and/or London), even that part may or may not have been accurate…
I don’t think Ada is wrong about being cautious and remaining undetected by cave critters and “allies “ alike. There is something sinister going on in the guild and the caverns are undulating with creepifying dangers. My biggest concern for Ada is if the changes to her biology are compatible with life on earth. So many moving parts, and so much that needs to go right for our girl to get home safe and sound.
I have this underlying worry that she’ll get to the gate, and not be able to go through it, just like the rest of the breach hostiles that have to wait for it to burst. Then she’ll be even more convinced that CC wants her dead.
OR Ada will become the new contact between Earth and the people related to the Lady who bequeathed the jewel to Ada. All to, hopefully, defeat all the awful creatures they’ve encountered.
The way my face was grimacing as I was reading about what they had to eat…. Oh well, anything to surivive
As Crocodile Dundee said in “Crocodile Dundee”: “Well, you can live on it, but it tastes like sh*t.”
Good one! Makes me wonder when Ada might reference Crocodile Dundee’s line, “That’s not a knife. THIS is a knife!”
(fingers crossed)
Maybe if/when she meets London again, he waves his little tactical tomahawk at her?
Thank you!
Great chapter! Thank you. Point of information you can boil water in a plastic container. It is a trick used by survivalist. Google it.
when we went camping, we always boiled water in paper cups just for fun. City kids never believed us until they saw it.
Thank you for this chapter! I needed it so much today 🙂
Yikes!!! That last bit give me shivers!
I’ve never had a Turtle Pecan Cluster Blizzard, but I need one in my life. Sadly, no Dairy Queens to be had where I live. Anyone know the appropriate Haagen Dasz/Ben&Jerry equivalent? 😉
I’ve never had that flavor of Blizzard. However pecan turtles are roasted pecans topped with caramel and covered with chocolate. Haggen-Dazs has butter pecan ice cream, so maybe you could get that, throw it in a blender with some chocolate and caramel and make your own version. 😀😃🍨
it’s vanilla ice milk with caramel, hot fudge, and pecans mixed in it. do you have a Cold Stone? they can make one. it’s basically like turtle candies but with ice cream
Cave piranha bugs. Steak tartare. Omg what else! So she thinks cold chaos is now out to get her. I’m not sure I would have assumed that, myself. Wow this is so much fun! Thanks for a great start to the week!
She’s been thinking that since Chapter 3 🙂 https://ilona-andrews.com/blog/the-inheritance-chapter-3-part-1/
If everyone one 1 side is dead, then the only story that gets told is the one of the folks with the weapons.
Given London throwing the grenade in Ada’s direction, it’s not a bad thought.
My old boss used to say ‘Once is an occurrence, twice is a coincidence, three times is enemy action.
hiiiii.
Hello 🙂
The art work is so pretty
All I’m thinking right now is London needs to be forced to eat raw stalker meat and THEN punched soundly in the nose )at least for starters). With Ada’s burgeoning talents I may further refine that in the future.
Thank you House Andrews for another riveting installment!
Sending peace, health and safety to everyone except London.
I think Ada will be able to go home an I imagine that she is brought into the vicinity of London an she introduces him to her other new friend (aka the bracer) an make him face some ripper cushions
Thank you!
Eww 🐛 that is so icky. Love the story thanks
Yay! Good dog, Bear!
I wonder why Ada assumes her company wants her dead? We know there was a conspiracy between London and Malcolm. The top medic is missing and “it’s not the gold”. She is still hoping to reunite with a rescue team … how is the guild di$erent than her company?
I think I need more coffee. Thanks for a Monday pick-me-up!
Ada walked through the possibilities of what was happening outside the breach in Chapter 3 🙂: https://ilona-andrews.com/blog/the-inheritance-chapter-3-part-1/
She’s operating on worst-case scenario, because that’s been in her experience, the way to get through things: assume you are on your own and no one is coming to save you.
Also, a small clarification: Ada doesn’t work for a company, nor is she part of the guild 🙂. She is an employee of the government, specifically of the Dimensional Defense Command.
“… It’s what’s for dinner.” Ha, ha, ha!
I can see the big check mark next to “Beef” in my head.
I used to have a T-shirt with the “Beef. It’s what’s for dinner.” slogon on it, but I never wore it… somehow, I didn’t feel like it fit my body image… not “beefy” enough.
Now, if you were to put that shirt on Arland, or Sean, or maybe Curran, that would be the best!
Thanks for the chapter/part! It’s getting better and better!
(Hmm. Maybe not the top 20, but perhaps the top 100?)
Cheers!
piranha bugs!!!! Wow, everything really is out to kill Ada and Bear. Love the chapter, can’t wait to see what happens next!
Thanks for another great chapter! Can’t wait for Friday.
Does anyone know how many chapters in total there will be? Or how many weeks left for the serial? Wondering how far along are we after 7 chapters.
Ilona said on Friday that we are roughly 2/3rds in 😊
Thanks!
Two-thirds in?! I am not sure I can hold my breath that long for another third!. This is soooo excellent a story. Lots of thanks.
such a great story! love it!
Who’s hungry for Shepherd’s Pie?
Will the book once published have have additional content? I’ve noticed in the past that some of the Innkeeper books have extra bits in the chapters when published.
All the serials on the blog are first drafts of the manuscript. They are written keeping in mind their separate-instalments format.
Just like Innkeeper, Blood Heir, Sanctuary etc, the chapters of The Inheritance will go through edits, proofreading, the chapter transitions will be smoothed out, things will be clarified, added to/removed, I believe there will be extra epilogue content added which won’t appear in serialisation (but don’t quote me on it), before it will be published.
Thanks!
Ilona already said there would be. Hardly a surprise considering how they did Sanctuary.
Awesome chapter! Thanks so much House Andrews!!!!
Yay!
So, a stupid questions, the breeches have been appearing for 9+ years. is each breech to the same world? If it is the same world, was the lady with the jewel trying to make contact? Are the stalkers/bugs native to that world and the super fast beings that killed most of the team, are invaders to that world?
There is no definite answer or theory yet on where and why the breaches appear: we do know they are different ecosystems, however.
More was explained in chapter 5 by Elias https://ilona-andrews.com/blog/the-inheritance-chapter-5-part-1/ and in Chapter 5 Part 2 by Ada https://ilona-andrews.com/blog/the-inheritance-chapter-5-part-2/
I’ve been wondering with all the changes from the inheritance and the stalker heart, will Bear & Ada still be able to return to Earth? Or will they become too alien to escape the portal?
*too alien
Sorry, typo
Fixed 🙂
Thank you, as always Mod R knows all!
Ohhhhh
What a treat, I forgot it was monday
After watching shows where people eat gross things to survive, like Bear Grylls pulling the piercing mouthparts out of a giant gooey larva and eating it .. I pretty much have lived under the assumption I’d probably be one the first to die. But I guess you never know what you might be capable of!! Great snippet that really puts you right there…especially through my lunch break haha
if this is a slice of an ecosystem, the benign things must have all gotten munched as soon as they were trapped in a limited system with the nasties.
Okay, did I miss something? Why does Cold Chaos want her dead? When did that happen? London hopes she’s dead. But I would think that Elias would be delighted if the found her alive. And Elias IS cold Chaos, right? If Ada was found as a survivor, it would get the gover to off their backs, and the bad press of a fatal mission would be lessened. And what is Ada thinking is going to happen if she does get out and Cold Chaos DOES want her dead? I’m confused. 0_0
You missed Chapter 3 🙂 https://ilona-andrews.com/blog/the-inheritance-chapter-3-part-1/
Ada obviously doesn’t know the details of what is actually happening outside the breach, she hasn’t been in contact with Cold Chaos or anyone else.
Mod R previously advised:
Ada walked through the possibilities of what was happening outside the breach in Chapter 3 🙂: https://ilona-andrews.com/blog/the-inheritance-chapter-3-part-1/
She’s operating on worst-case scenario, because that’s been in her experience, the way to get through things: assume you are on your own and no one is coming to save you.
*government off their backs*
Dear Mod R,
when I get to the end of the blog (whatever it might be) and I want to leave a comment, I do so right then with the conveniently located comment box prior to the comments.When it posts and brings me and my comment to the end of the comments section THEN I read the comments in reverse order. Oftentimes I find that the points in my comment have already been cleared up (as is the case here) But, I am a creature of habit, and won’t be charging any time soon. So as for my comment? Never mind. 0_0
Thank you for reading, Michael. 🙂
Thank you for the update!
So if Ada reaches the anchor first and destroys it, will the CC team know the anchor is gone and try to escape before the gate collapses?
I’m thinking that if there is another Anchor-Feeler, they will know it was destroyed and will notify the others and run like hell with them.
If no other A-F, I can’t remember anything in the other instalments but is it possible that someone can otherwise feel tremors or something?
Anyways, for Ada to destroy the anchor, she would also have to know how far to go to get out, wouldn’t she? So would she take the risk?
IMO she won’t want to destroy it. She’s only going there to find the starting off point of the breadcrumbs the first team left to. Get back to the gate. And hopefully, it will still be cleared?
As addressed in the chapter, top-rank Talents can feel the Anchor, so would be aware of it 🙂
Would be a great way to leave London behind
I don’t know why Ada assumes that Cold Chaos wants her dead. London and Melissa want her dead so that she can’t expose them, but why would she assume that the entire guild would feel that way?
Excellent as always— thank you, House Andrews!
Ada’s assumptions about what is happening outside the breach have been discussed in Chapter 3, it’s worth a reread for most of the Horde apparently 🙂 https://ilona-andrews.com/blog/the-inheritance-chapter-3-part-1/
She believes her death would be more “convenient” to both London and the Guild in general.
Bear is such an amazing sidekick ❤️
this really is the best part o of my day… thanks for your awesomeness.
Okay, I am in love with Ada … and Bear… and any and all shipping. I can only hope we get several, long gushy pages of reunion joy WHEN, not if, darn it, Ada makes it out. And, I need Ada merch to get me through a tough work day.
The wall bugs make me think of Pirates of the Caribbean (one with the ship, one with the crew). I am also very sad for her, knowing as we do what Elias is really up to.
Wonderful
This is the only reason I love Mondays!!
thank you
thank you 😊
I’ve done another re-read and have a question. Is it pertinent that Ada did not see the fourth gray cloaked entity being killed or a mention of the body (bad guy head count)? She only looked at one dead gray cloaked being before moving on to search the blue cloaked lady. Is there a gray being still alive and sneaking up on her?
Ohhhh, I missed that! Now I have to rush through chores to do a deep dive reread.
Re: Government Problems for Cold Chaos, I’m thinking that as soon as Ada becomes a CC member (why wouldn’t she; she knows stuff now and has master abilities), they will know Gvt will leave CC alone. Except for the doofus, London, who will be blacklisted across all the Guilds. (Considering some of the BDH’s comments, he might not survive to blacklisting)
I’m all for a loophole, but I can’t see the Government willingly giving her up. They maintain their power and profits from the breach by withholding access to assessors/Debras.
I think they would remove or make an exception for the no fraternization rule before conceding she is not an assessor anymore.
Her new knowledge, skills, and abilities will be something they will want to control.
That being said, I’m totally shipping Elias and Ada. The BDH has decided and there is no going back….*side eye* I hope our overlords agree. 🤣
It’s a really good sign that so many people are confused by Ada’s mindset. It’s heartening that we generally seem to believe other people are willing to help us in a bad situation like this.
Also, the setup for the scene where Ada and Elias meet is just scrumptious*! He wants to help, she thinks he will kill her on sight, what a meet cute!
*ps, how do I write in italics? iphone recently granted me that ability in text messages with other iphone users and I am insatiable
Maybe Ada can get out first, before Elias gathers his team, puts her hands on her hips, and asks, “Where are my kids?” I’d like to see London’s face ;):):)
Agh, the build up to the “meat cute” is exhausting!! Elias needs to get his butt in gear and get in there!
Maybe the “meat cute” could have some stalker meat shared? 😛
A welcome break as I contemplate my job furloughing me. Helped cut some of my ongoing terror and panic.
Also….so thought beef its what’s for dinner as they nommed stalker meat.
*Hug* Been there!
So glad Ada and Bear helped!
So good! Lots of thoughts: Ada can sense the anchor so she’s become a top tier Talant (and what else has changed/is changing in both her and Bear?); there’s going to be all kinds of of sparks flying when she meets Elias until she figures out he’s (or at least seems to be) a white hat
Fabulous. Thank you!
I was wondering why everybody was so very enthusiastic about Ada and Elias meeting, because I kept thinking: in her shoes, i wouldn’t trust anybody from that guild again, at the very least until I was out of the portal and had been able to testify on the whole betrayal. I would be so afraid they would see me as a “problem to be solved”, preferably quietly….
Of course, when you remember her wondering if she really is the first one to see/meet intelligent life in the portals or if this is information that has been suppressed, she might be afraid of another target on her back, outside of the portal. But maybe I’m too paranoid now 😉
Anyway, I really feel for her, she is a great character!
Winner winner stalker dinner. Ada is still in worst case scenario mode. In addition to finding the exit, she must be considering how she can get out without CC eliminating her. Everyone’s an enemy until proven otherwise. Did Elias tell the kids he didn’t know if she were dead? Just how much has Ada changed? Assuming she gets out safely, can she work for CC with her leveled up powers, maybe as the assault team (she IS the brute squad), and make more money if that’s what she wants?
So many questions. Looking forward to Friday, even though I’m never going to be “First”.
I find the competition to be first bizarre. It clutters up the interesting comments. I thought that Debras were more rare than other talents. I don’t know about the pay differentials. Ada is now much more that she was and she was one of the best Debras already. She is going to be invaluable if she can be assimilated back into society. What if the government decides they need to “study” her?!?
It’s just a game 🙂
DeBRAs get a set government salary, no bonuses like the mining company employees. So if she wants to work for CC as a Talent, she could potentially make a ton of bonus money.
But what about the fact that it is illegal for guilds to hire private assessors? She still has the talent for assessing stuff, so I don’t know that a private guild can hire her?
So I was thinking about the “Stalker, it’s what for dinner.” And how gross it was to eat, but the history teacher in me seems to remember that in some class that I had, there were US military pilots during WW2 who starved on an island after being shot down for lack of food, but the insects on that island were edible. Not for sure, but I think I read where that happened.
Anyway, my Uncle Paul was captured in the Philippines and survived the Bataan Death March and 2 and 1/2 years of Japanese captivity during World War 2. He said if they could catch it, they ate it. But he survived. So, Ada, you’re doing well. Just eat it.
Thank you again for another amazing chapter! Ada and Bear are on quite a literally transformative journey.
Mod R, you are a treasure! I read all the comments before posting so can’t help noticing how many repeat questions you get and how you patiently answer each one. 🤗
Seconded. It’s most impressive.
This is why Mod R is the Horde wrangler. 🤠
I was thinking the same thing, such patience! You are an excellent Mod and Horde Wrangler. Thanks for all you do!
Thank you. Love the journey.
I think Ada will be wanting a really long, hot shower once she gets out of there. And Bear will need a bath, though she may not be quite as enthusiastic.
I’ve been spoiled being on vacation and getting to read these with my morning coffee. I returned to work today, and I had all these grand plans to just get up a bit earlier today and continue that joy. However, my cat decided since I was up early it must be because I was going to feed her early & by the time we argued, and she won there was not extra time, so it was instead enjoyed as an evening treat after a long day back at work and having to catch up on 300 emails.
are the stalkers *the* mavri(?) stalkers from the first inn keeper books?
“Only the Shadow knows what evil lurks in the hearts of … our Author Overlords…” [insert Wicked Cackling here]
Nice!
Man, this is so good.
Ok, um, ewwwww! Necessary, but ewwwwww. The wall piranhas, yeah thanks for that nightmare! 😱
What are the stalkers eating? There seem to be a number of them so must be getting food. Ada notes that the cave system is a long established ecosystem and speculates there would be prey lifeforms. But no sign of these?
If the breech cave system has been cut off from the outside, which seems to b the case, then the gentler prey creatures would b eaten up pretty quick, leaving only the tougher predators. That fits with what we’re seeing. So maybe that’s a clue about the nature of the places inside the breech.
I can’t wait to sit down and read this all at once. It’s so good.
Welcome back, Mod R! I hope you enjoyed your time away!
I have a scene in my head, where Elias and Company are on the edge of being destroyed by a huge army, and Ada and bear come a in and rescue them! The lost princess you were looking for does not need rescuing, she will rescue you!
Of course, I realize they didn’t even know that they could be rescuing anybody,
well shoot, she couldn’t see herself in the water afterall 😩 I’m so curious to see if she’s changed physically too!
If she can’t see her reflection, does this mean she has become …. (gasp!) …. a vampire? (Dracula’s kind not Arland’s). If so, what happens when she steps back out into the sunlight?
Asking for an acquaintance (not even a friend)…
Speaking as a country kid, raised in the mountains, if she couldn’t see her reflection in the water, it probably means it was moving fairly fast and there were a lot of ripples.
I read it a lunch very fast 🙂 Came home and read it again in a slower fashion. Now I’m considering Ada’s thoughts on going to the anchor and following (undetected) the team out..I think she’d only be able to hold back being revealed if the team is safe but if they hit a particularly rough spot she might uncloak as it were to assist the team (an oh what a shock they’d have if she moved at her speed and sliced n diced, now that we know she’s definitely inherited a top tier talent). If she hung back and observed she’d see that Elias and Leo are not another London / Maggie team… they are about taking care of the others on their team 100 percent be damned the cost. It could get very entertaining. 🙂
Sounds good to me, but I doubt Leo will go thru with Elias’ team. Smart to leave an informed second in command on Earth, plus, at the beginning we saw Elias returning from breech diving to see Leo waiting for him. So Leo routinely stays home to mind the guild.
So good!! Thank you, book gods!
I absolutely LOVE this story. Of course, I love all your stories. I cannot wait for the book so I can read it start to finish! Thank you so much for posting these chapters. I appreciate it.
At least Ada’s not trying to convince herself that “It tastes like chicken” like the instructors do in survival school.
Welcome back Mod R, hope your time away was lovely. I am still thinking this is an Inn Origin Story….
I just kinda wish things a lot, but it never hurts to dream!
Holy sh1t! Poor Ada doesn’t have a minute’s respite! A wall of bugs? Damn, this will give me nightmares… I want Ada to find Elias… ok, off to bed now!
How on earth do you two keep coming up with these fantastic tales?
Thank you so much! Eagerly anticipating the whole story when it becomes available.
Best authors ever!
After reading these comments, I am wondering how many have already been changed by what has happened to them in the tunnels. And kept it secret. Just wondering…
It’s probably not at all common to eat the stuff in the breaches. As for the eating stalker meat, predators are generally not considered good eating.
The pollen would be healed by a Healer talent. Otherwise it would be more logical to have filter masks as a matter of course.
Also note stalker meat is poisonous, Ada & Bear only survived due to a magic interaction between the pollen & the meat.
*Note: the blue ball of light wasn’t responsible for weird interaction as Bear doesn’t have that.
*Note 2: Just me doing what I think is logical extrapolation. I don’t presume to speak from authority.
I am just going to reiterate: we need more of this universe too! More Kate, more Baylors, more Innkeepers, more Ada, probably more Maggie…..I was genuinely sad to hear we are 2/3 of the way through the Bear saga. Maybe it’s 2/3 of the first book (out of 17)?
Weird stray thought: if Derek were in the caves how would he be doing? I do miss Team Iron Rose.
enjoying this so much.
I save these to read after a day of chores. Mid day temptation of letting things sit and reading to pass the time hits me and I fight my self to keep on working. Then time comes that is all mine and I step off into another world. Sometimes I start at the beginning and read the whole thing to make it last longer.
Thank you for my escape.
I am so intrigued by the arm bracer/knife/sword. Ada is washing her hands. Does she need to wash the bracer too, or is it self-cleaning when it reshapes?
Ada mentions all the creatures she’s been killing. Is this the only weapon she has to protect herself and Bear? If so, she is becoming quite capable at fighting with a blade. And it makes complete sense she is so hungry and thirsty after all that. Good thing the inheritance seems to have given her strength, endurance, and fast healing.
I am enjoying the story. Thank you!
The piranha bugs gave me a flashback to the fountain scene in Grace of Small Magics.
So exciting! I am absolutely loving reading about Ada & Bear overcoming all these trials and tribulations! I’m so curious whether she’ll run into more non-human people (she’s got to, right?) in the breach, and what she will learn at that point.
I try to put off reading it for as long as possible so the wait for the next installment doesn’t feel as long, but the longest I can make it is the end of the day it’s posted, haha. Thank you so much, House Andrews!
Ooh, also, I am hoping to witness Elias & Leo arriving at the mining site and realizing there’s no sign of Ada’s or Bear’s remains among all the others, then trying to figure out what that means. They’ll likely notice the head sitting neatly next to the body Ada returned it to.
I feel like Ada is going to take out the anchor before Elias does. She’ll take it out and they’ll see her do it or taking out the anchor will take everything she’s got and then they find her and bring her back to Illinois and her kids. That would be the most badass
But can she make out of the Breach or is she too ‘other’ now?
I wonder if she is going to be able to discern anything new about what the anchor actually is with her new found knowledge.
What if why it’s there is not for the reason people assume?
Maybe the people on the other side are not planning an invasion.
intense! so good! tyvm!
Hi ModR! Could you please give Ilona and Gordon my compliments on the new photo 😁. Ilona looks amazing and Gordon looks distinguished. It’s a really good photo! (Also couple pictures are always super cute.)
Thank you also for the new chapter 😃
+100
I love Ilona’s shorter hairstyle!
The photo of the two of them looks 😍 & original posing.
Bear was the dog, then ‘my dog’ and now ‘my loyal dog’. Yeah, the kids and the cat better get used to having Bear around because ain’t no one gonna take her away now! Also, I’m wondering if Bear seems to have an increasing understanding of what Ada says? It’s subtle enough that I can’t tell for sure…
I wonder if Bear’s urge to eat the stalkers is more than just hunger in general? If something in the meat is helping her evolve or regenerate faster? Seems like a pretty long jump over the river…
Even though Ada thinks Cold Chaos is out to get her, I don’t think she would attack preemptively. She’s more likely to trail them back home, revealing herself only to save them if necessary. At least we know that CC as a guild is not after her, and Elias will act to save her if at all possible. Although her saving him will b much more fun.
Thanks so much for this update. We welcome Mod. R back, hopefully rested up, with open arms. Who else can herd the Horde like Our Own. Which is not to say that we aren’t thrilled whenever Ilona and Gordon comment on our comments.
Simply the best,Thankyou great start to the week ( well 2nd day anyway ) 😝
Cave piranha bugs! (Full body shudder). The excitement never ends. I love it!
I usually never read the serials and wait for the final book version as a) I’ll be constantly craving the next part and b) my memory sucks so it’s hard to retain key information. Saying that, I’m SO sucked in to this story and love it too much not to come along for the ride. Can not wait for them to finally meet!
Thanks to HA. Everything you touch turns to gold.
Can’t wait to read the full story, although I am enjoying these chapter snippets. Never stop writing!
Thank you!
thanks for a great snippet, I forgot yesterday was a InnBearAnce day. so I have 1 day less waiting 🙂
I hope everyone is well.
Your writing is always so superb, like the yummiest dessert for my brain! I’ve been wondering if Ada will find something horrible at the anchor, something so bad that she’s faced with the need to destroy it to protect her family even if it means stranding herself. Perhaps London is working with whatever might be there as well? Oh the possibilities!
I’m wondering if the breach zones are a whole world or just a connection between them? If you go past the anchor, does it open up into another world? With “people” coming in from that side, maybe coming to destroy the anchor (if it’s naturally occurring and not made)?
OHG, Turtle Pecan Clutster Blizzards are my favorite! Every time we drive to Dallas, we stop at DQ to get a mini. Loved seeing it mentioned in the story.
Ha! I meant OMG.
Thank you so much!
Oooooh, what are the odds she makes it to the anchor and collapses it just as the second assault team is finally assembled, geared up, and ready to go. The look on Elias’s face lol
If Ada destroys the anchor and walks out just as Elias and company r about to walk in…I think the look on his face would b awesome, but I also think he would b really happy with that outcome. He met with her kids, whom he is choosing to shelter. That’s what he will b thinking of when he sees her alive!
I hope there will be ripper cushions for those who left Ada and Bear behind! A bug wall! Yikes. Trying to be patient…WANT MORE! 😁
Stalker tartar. I hate tartar. I love mango smoothies. I can’t see why she would think he wants her dead.. he needs to give her back to the government alive.
Ada walked us through her reasoning why Cold Chaos would be in trouble if she were to be discovered alive in Chapter 3 🙂 https://ilona-andrews.com/blog/the-inheritance-chapter-3-part-1/
Awesome!
Thank you!❤️
Ha! I can absolutely imagine Bear chomping on stalker parts. What? It’s just protein!
Eek! Piranha bugs!
Go Ada! Love her stoicism.
Thanks for the great snippet!
oh no, I hadn’t even considered she might think Cold Chaos is a threat to be avoided. what dramatic irony, we know Elias just wants to help!
I don’t think Ada should or will collapse the anchor until she’s sure of the way out. Can’t wait to see how House Andrews resolves all my questions.
Just loving this! Thank you so much!
Wheee!!!!!!
Keep writing , make it a full book
So good! Thank you.
A Turtle Pecan Cluster Blizzard is my absolute favorite dessert! Luckily (or unfortunately for my dieting efforts) Tallahassee has three Dairy Queens in town. Pecan pieces, chocolatey shavings and rich caramel blended with creamy DQ® soft serve ice cream. I highly recommend.
A DQ round the corner here, and I haven’t had a single soft serve there since moving here. When we lived in TX after swim meets or as a treat Mom would take us to the DQ for cones dipped in chocolate coating. Ah, the flavor of goodness… I may reintroduce myself to the delights of DQ… resistance is futile, LOL
I found this too soon! I am dying to know what happens next! As a huge fan of Solo Leveling this book bits me right in my Oh My God This story rocks! Spot.
Also our, Author Ocelords are the best!
Ahhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!! I love this and I want mooooore!!!!!!! Also, I’m glad Gordon is recovering. Thank you so much House Andrew’s for gifting us these crumbs!
Thanks for posting. usually these cheer me up more, not sure why this one didn’t. I must be having an off day.
I’d avoided reading this serial cause I am an impatient reader and my waiting list is already quite long. But, like a dummy I caved and now I’m suffering from the “why can’t I have the whole complete series now?” blues.
Yes, I totally read a serial and am now requesting a series. 🤣🤣🤣
I think that quiz was wrong when I identified as Team Facts Are King.
Anywho, I love this serial. Great opening to a series. I saw a few comments that indicate…1) This is intended to be a short standalone story, 2) the serial is about 2/3 completed, and 3) Ebook Eta is tentatively Summer.
To that I say, how can that be? This is a fascinating world and characters. You can’t take them from us so soon. We haven’t finished playing with them. So many stories or avenues to explore.
I’m stuck between waiting the serial to be near completion and not wanting it to end. I want the ebook in my library now. But, we’ve not gotten to the meeting, the reunion, the vengeance, the revelations, etc.
So, summer… is the after the official start of summer or any day now?
I have so many questions, but since I’ve rambled a bit. I will settle for a few.
1) Ada Intuit?: Ada’s reactions seem so natural and relatable. Pre- Manifestation Ada describes the anxiety/dread she felt at the breach, on her mad dash home – her sensing that she needed to not go with the crowd. After-Manifestation, the dread she felt going into the breach. We’ve seen an increase in this knowing, since her change. Again, her reactions are natural so maybe its a coincidence, but seems she might had some unknown talents prior that made her a pre-imposed to be an Assessor.
2) The Bracer – not to be morbid or anything, but we say that the gray robed attackers had weapons in all hands. Where is the humanoid woman’s other arm? is there a second Bracer?
3) Second entry team: I’m wondering about the meetup. Ada has gone further that it’s believed that the assault team would have made it. Given she’s been inside for days and they died within hours. IDK if the team will try to retrace her steps or proceed to the anchor. If they retrace her steps, there are so many deadly obstacles in their path. And, not just in the retracing. Touching the attackers robes could be deadly. I guess those who spend more time in the breaches may have more knowledge on some of the environmental things. With the maze of tunnels, I guess they can intersect some where else along the way.
4) Bear – is Bear just hungry because of the fighting, regeneration,etc or is he addicted to stalker meat at this point? 😂
5) Dragon: So, did anyone get the maybe she should befriend the dragon vibes? 🤣😂 Her presence seems to have been known within their territory and yet the dragon just collected the free food and went about their day. New buddy?
6) London: I blame London for his abandonment more than Melissa. Yes, she was the foreman and while decency makes her behavior abhorrent, her job is more ensuring the safety as they complete their tasks. London however was charged with the physical protection of the team. I can’t help but wonder if London would enjoy frolicking through a field of Grasping Hands.
Oooh, good thought! “Where is the humanoid woman’s other arm? is there a second Bracer?”
Somewhere along the middle tunnel where she came from, I guess.
And while something may have shambled by and eaten the arm, presumably the bracer is not edible.
always awaiting the next part of the story, patiently i wait
4th re-read completed.
Given the snipped posted yesterday, I had a new thought.
I wonder if any of the assault team have been captured?
I don’t know if it’s likely since it seems the gray robes were very much kill everyone…but, a rescue scene would be nice.
Also, thinking back to the entrance of the battling aliens.
They fought around Ada without killing her.
I wonder if this has anything to do with her Talent, or if the lady in blue just protected her in that moment.
The gray robes later switched their target to try to kill her, I wonder if we will find out why?
Would they draw strength from her death?
Was it her Talent?
Did her Talent make her a candidate for the inheritance?
Were they after the inheritance?
so, many questions.