“Because it’s a reminder that we were chosen to come to Judaculla. Our fate was decided while we were babies. When we were chosen, our names were recorded in the Bound Book beside our One. When our husbands-to-be were old enough, they traveled to our world to bring us home.”

Calla’s story, while romantic, was lacking in some of the finer points. It was true we were chosen when we were babies because our husbands-to-be, or mates, as James called them, had dreamed of us. This was the beginning of an elaborate trap. Our mates came to us in our sleep, and they grew up with us in our dreams. By the time the girl met the boy, he was all she’d ever known. Falling in love was easy and unconditional. It made it easy for the boy to collect his mate like a butterfly for his collection and bring her to Judaculla.

Calla had a different version of the first half of the story, but she didn’t have the second half at all. What happened after marriage would not be a happily-ever-after story. Watching her angelic expression, I didn’t know if I could bring myself to burst her bubble. To what end would it serve anyway? Calla was stuck here. No amount of enlightenment from me would free her. I decided it was more humane to let her continue living the fairy-tale lie for as long as she could.

I stared curiously at the Bound Book. If everyone’s name was recorded there, that meant James’s name would be in the book with mine beside it. I stretched my hand to flip open the cover, anxious to see James’s name and my own linked with his. Calla slapped my hand away, leaving red fingerprints where she had struck me.

“Ow,” I cried, massaging my hand. “Why did you do that?”

“No one is allowed to touch the Bound Book. I’m sorry Cole didn’t tell you about the book, but ignorance is no excuse.” The stern expression on her face gave way when she studied my shocked expression. “I’m sorry, sister.”

“It’s okay,” I said. “You’re only trying to teach me. Thank you, sister.” I stared at the Bound Book with what I hoped was a puzzled expression. “Why do they keep it out in the open if they don’t want anyone to touch it?” I asked innocently.

“There’s no reason to hide anything away in Judaculla,” Calla said. “No one breaks the rules. No one steals. We’re all family here.” Her sweet smile sent cool shivers down my spine.

“Of course we are,” I said.

Calla pulled two dusters from a low cupboard, then handed one to me. We worked for the better part of an hour, dusting every book, every table, every surface in the library. Our silence was only interrupted by Calla’s occasional humming of a tune I didn’t recognize.