“If James comes through, he’ll be followed. The Elders pretty much hate him for coming here and not bringing back his mate back to Judaculla.” He stared at me for a long moment. “I can only assume that mate is you, although James denies it.”

“I am his mate,” I said. “He just doesn’t remember me as such.”

“Yeah, I don’t get that part,” Knox said. “It’s no secret he’s in love with you, but I don’t get how it’s even possible that he forgot you’re his mate.”

“The Elders,” I said. “They did something to him to make him forget. Ever said they didn’t want him to come back for me.”

“They still don’t,” Knox said. “Only now, that’s the least of his concerns. They think James has gone off the deep end. There are wanted signs all over Judaculla offering a reward for his capture. Dead or alive.”

“A reward?” I asked. “Of what? You guys don’t use money.”

A look of disgust crossed Knox’s face. “They’re not offering money. They’re offering an Extra.”

I rose and walked to the front window, my mind immediately on Krista. Even if it wasn’t her, someone was about to be given away like a stray cat, all because of me.

“What are we going to do about it?” I asked.

“I plan to return to Judaculla tonight to let James know you’re okay. I should be able to keep him in line long enough for Tobias to get well, or until—”

Knox didn’t have to finish his sentence. He’d keep James there until Tobias could travel or until he died.

I turned away from the window to face him. “And after?”

“I don’t know, Leath,” he said. “Maybe things will cool off. Who knows? In seven, eight months, maybe the Elders will reconsider and let James stay on the Fringe.” He avoided my gaze. “But I doubt they’ll ever let him leave Judaculla again.”

“What’s the solution?”

“I go back, tell him you’re all right.” Sadness filled his eyes. “I promise I’ll keep him safe as long as I can.”

“I’m not just going to sit here,” I said. “I won’t allow him to be killed because of me. The next full moon, I’m heading back.”

“What will you do there?” Knox asked. “Live in the caves with him forever? He doesn’t want that kind of life for you, Leath.”

There was a change in the mood of the room when Knox stood. He moved toward me. This time, I was the one who was backed against the wall.

“You’re not telling me everything,” I said, calculating the time it would take me to get to the door.

Knox sighed. “No, I don’t suppose I am. I didn’t come here just to check on you.”