“He’s the jealous type, isn’t he?” Knox asked, leaning through his front door and waving at Victor’s car. “I’d like to kick his butt for looking at you like that.”

“Not you, too,” I said, pushing past him. I froze, realizing I’d never been in James’s house. I’d only been here once before, but that time, I’d been met at the door by a half-naked Ever.

I was surprised by how sparse the house was. One sofa and a flat screen was the extent of the furniture in the living room. It felt strange, being in James’s home with another boy until I reminded myself it really wasn’t James’s home. It was a front, just like every other aspect of his life in Woodvine had been. A scam. An excuse to be close to me.

Stop it, I thought. It started that way, but that’s not how it is now.

“You and Victor?” Knox asked.

“Me and Victor are nothing,” I said. “Friends. Lifelong friends, but that’s all.”

Knox laughed. “Maybe on your part, but not according to the way he watches you. He’s got other plans, I’d say.”

“If he did, I’m pretty sure he’s changed his mind since he just watched me run, literally run, to your house. Enough of this, okay? Tell me what’s going on with James.” I stared at him expectantly after sitting on the couch.

Knox joined me, the mass of him easily taking up more than half the space. Whenever he was around, I’d have no other choice but to be right up next to him. The guy was just that big.

He took a deep breath. “He’s fine, for now. Like I said, his dad is with him. They’ve got food coming in from Sadie and some of the others.”

“How long can he stay like that?”

“Pretty much indefinitely,” Knox said. “James is in some of the deepest caves in Judaculla. Only a handful of Fringers know about them. Those who do are friends.”

I breathed deeply, thankful James was in a safe place.

“He’s good. As long as he stays in the caves.”

“You don’t think he will,” I said.

Knox shook his head. “Unlike you, those of us who are from Judaculla can come and go as we please, so we have the freedom to get to know our mate. James can leave whenever he wants. As soon as his dad is up to it, he’ll come here.”

“Let him come,” I said.

“It’s not that easy,” Knox replied.

I didn’t know where he was headed with this, but I felt a sense of despair settle on my shoulders as he continued.