James was able to break free of the two boys when one cupped his ears against the noise that climbed higher in pitch. James easily knocked the other boy down, and a new fear spread through me when I saw James running right at me.

I pivoted away from him, following girls who had been stranded by their cowardly mates. We raced upstairs and back to our rooms. After I slammed the door shut, I threw the bolt before collapsing on the edge of my bed.

I could hear James coming, his footsteps stomping down the hall, banging on door after door. “Where are you?” he yelled. I held my breath as he pounded on my door, feeling quite certain he could hear my heartbeat.

“He’s up there,” another voice yelled.

“I will find you in the end,” James said in an eerily quiet voice that caused chills to move across my skin. “Count on it.”

It sounded as if a herd of animals were charging up the stairs. “There he is,” yelled another boy.

I heard the scraping of a chair against the hardwood floor, and then the crash as it must have been thrown through the window at the end of the hall.

“He jumped out,” said a boy who rushed past my room. “Headed for the courtyard.” Pairs of footsteps retreated down the hall and the stairs, and I began to breathe once again.

I was frozen, my muscles so tight I couldn’t move as tears rained down my cheeks. I sat still for several minutes, my mind racing, trying to decide what I should do next. I crawled to my bedroom window, then peered over the sill. Groups of boys stormed into the courtyard, followed by Zander. I didn’t see Gorbon or Arthur. I assumed Gorbon was still in the ballroom, too lazy to make a move.

I tore off my wedding gown, kicking it into a corner before changing into what Calla had called our baking clothes, slim beige slacks and a soft cotton shirt. With shaky hands, I buttoned up my shirt and stepped into a pair of flats at the foot of my bed. When I yanked the cedar chest open, it rattled against its hinges, tipping the chest slightly. I dug through the mountain of green dresses and slips until my fingers found the pillowcase containing the Bound Book. Holding it close to my chest, I took a deep breath.

There was an eruption of sound as more boys pounded up the steps and banged on doors. “Everybody go back to the ballroom,” they said when they stopped at each door. “The Elders want to see everyone.”