Wait until sunset? I thought. Everyone was expecting them to stay well past sunset. What if the Elders leave before anyone else shows up? I have to see the Elders today, even if no one else comes.

James was ready to send me back to Woodvine. Today. I doubted I’d be able to convince him to let me hang around Judaculla until the next council meeting, whenever that might be.

My mind whirled as questions raced past me. Should I speak up? Should I wait for a witness? Would anyone else even come? Questions chased each other in my mind faster than I could answer them. Shaking my head, I made a decision. I’d wait here until the last possible second to see if anyone else showed before going in.

My muscles grew stiff as I sat on the wooden porch, but I didn’t leave my spot. I was afraid if I moved away, I’d miss anyone who made the trip to the meeting and lose my opportunity for a witness. In the late afternoon sun, I squeezed the last drops from my teabag directly into my mouth. The coffee pot mocked me with its full belly sitting inches away from me behind a locked window.

When I thought I could bear it no more, I heard heavy footfalls pound up the front steps. The door swung open too fast, banging against the wall and rattling the windows.

“Wait,” James yelled.

Oh no, I thought.

He burst into the meeting room, his eyes darting into each corner before rushing into the kitchen and the sitting room. “Where is she?” he demanded. “What have you done with her?”

“Where is who?” Arthur asked. “As you can undoubtedly see, we are the only ones here.”

“You again?” Gorbon asked. “The Fringer who failed to bring his mate back.” He leaned closer, appraising James. “And the same one who caused the ruckus at the Promise Ball.”

Gorbon moved like a slug around the table. James was a good foot taller than the squat little man. When Gorbon was finally toe to toe with him, he seemed to rethink his threat.

“Calm down,” Arthur said. “He’s here, and so are we. Let’s listen to what he has to say.”

Zander stood and began inching around James.

“If you could only give us some details about the girl,” Arthur said in an almost-grandfatherly voice meant to distract James, “then we’ll try to help you.”

“Yeah, I’ll bet you will,” James said, glaring at him. “You guys are so good about listening to all the details before you make any decisions… like banishing your citizens.”

“But we reward those who come before us to right a wrong,” Arthur said. “This girl, who is she?”

“Probably one of the whores on the Fringe,” Gorbon said. “Who else could she be?” A sick smile came to his face. “Or maybe a new arrival?”