My eyebrows knit together in confusion as I stared into the tiny eye holes in the boy’s mask. He had to have been mistaken. My eyes swept the room for a stray girl, but everyone else already had a partner.

Although I had no way of knowing for sure, I didn’t remember dancing with this boy earlier. He seemed to have come out of nowhere. And for some reason, he came for me.

“See there,” Sarabeth said. “I told you he’d return.” She smiled at the boy, then turned on her heels to join the Elders at the head of the table.

The boy stood there, patiently waiting for me to take his outstretched hand.

This was so not a part of my plan. But I decided it was best if I danced with the boy and explained that he’d made a mistake. Told him my One had stepped outside and would return at any moment. I couldn’t risk this boy causing a scene, not when I was so close to where I needed to be.

I placed my hand in his, then followed him to the middle of the crowded dance floor where we began slowly turning along with the other couples. The boy rested one hand on my hip. When he pulled me close, I inhaled his beautiful scent.

James.

My mind had to be playing tricks on me. But who else could it be? James’s essence was unique, and uniquely known by me. His scent flooded my senses, urging me closer to him. I felt a shudder move through my body, elated over finding him and being back in his arms. My fears and anxieties about being in Judaculla disappeared. My heart felt light when I realized everything I’d lost was about to be returned to me.

I wanted to do so many things at once. I wanted to run away with James, leave this terrible place and never return. At the same time, I wanted to wrap my arms around him and hold him here in this moment forever.

Neither happened.

Why isn’t he kissing me?

I guessed James was trying hard not to call attention to us. And he was right to do so. We were far from being safe. We still had to plead our case to the Elders, convince them we belonged together and that we would live in Judaculla without causing a problem. If we were lucky, they’d consider my request to stay, but who knew how long it would take for them to decide our fate? What would happen to us in the meantime?

Breathe. I reminded myself. Calm down and follow his lead.

“Are you the girl who’s here for Cole?” James asked.

My heart skipped a beat at the sound of his mesmerizing voice. “Yes. I mean, no.” I smiled up at him. “Of course not. I didn’t come for Cole. I came for you.”