Immense jealousy built up inside me over his desire to protect Ever. I hated that she was so important to him while I meant nothing. “Maybe I’ll be the first one to get out of Judaculla.”

James raised an eyebrow. “Well, you can try.”

I ran away from him, heading back the way we had come. When I was a good enough distance away, I glanced over my shoulder and saw he was following me. But James wasn’t running; he wasn’t even jogging.

“I know these woods a lot better than you do,” he called. “I can find you whenever I want.” His voice was steady, his movement unhurried.

I, on the other hand, continued running as fast as I could. I charged past the place I’d spent the night, then changed direction for good measure. A few minutes later, I darted across a green meadow and spied a low cave. A large boulder obstructed the opening. When I got closer, I saw the opening was just a few inches taller and wider than me. Squeezing through the opening, I dropped my bag on the ground.

Hiding in the shadows, I struggled to settle my breathing. I stayed in the cave for a good ten minutes. Feeling satisfied I’d lost him, I squeezed out of the cave and stepped into the meadow. My eyes blinked furiously against the too-bright sunshine. One of my hands instinctively flew up to shield my eyes from the sun.

“I told you I could find you.” James stood between me and opening to the cave.

“You also said you had to gather your meals for the day,” I said evenly. “I gather that probably means you have to get something for your dad as well.”

“Your point?” James asked gruffly.

“How are you going to be able to keep an eye on me while doing everything else you need to?”

He lunged at me then. I took the opportunity to run around him and back into the cave.

“Suit yourself,” James called after me.

I peered outside, watching James unpack his bag. After he pulled out a mat, he spread it on the ground.

“By the way, you’re wrong about my dad. I left him several days’ worth of food before I left last night. So, it’s just you and me, waiting for the day the Elders will hear cases.”