“You’re welcome to use the house you stayed in last night for the time being. In time, if you choose to stay with us, we’ll assign more appropriate quarters.”

More appropriate how? Rachael thought. What she said, however, was, “Thank you. Please let me know when you’d like us to begin training your people.”

“We can arrange some time tomorrow for you to start, see if anyone would be interested in learning what you have to teach. We have plenty of space where you can hold lessons.” Margaret Van Sloane nodded to one of the other council members, an older man with a full head of silver hair. “Tony, make sure it’s arranged. But, we won’t keep you longer. Heather will be happy to give you a tour.” With that, Van Sloane turned back to her council, clearly finished with the conversation.

Guess we’ve been dismissed, Rachael thought

Heather smiled, but it seemed a little forced. “Well, let me show you around.” Once again Rachael and her friends trailed after her like ducklings, back out through the building and surrounding gardens and out into the development, where they were given a cursory tour of the town and amenities the community had to offer.

Rachael took quiet note, however, that armed guards were always around. They hung back and tried to look nonchalant, but she wasn’t fooled.

She could understand it, though. Several citizens of this town had been injured by strangers dressed in—she had to admit—pretty bizarre costumes. Caution seemed entirely reasonable. Even so, she didn’t like it and made sure to keep track of every guard she passed.

“Does anyone else see what I see?” Jason murmured to Rachael and Claudia as they entered another subdivision.

Rachael looked around, wondering what she was supposed to be looking for.

“I noticed it,” Claudia whispered back, crossing her arms almost protectively over her chest. “I thought maybe it was just a fluke at first, but now I definitely see it.”

Rachael scanned the area for any possible threats, finding none.

“What are you two talking . . . ” Her voice trailed off as she finally understood what Jason and Claudia meant. “Oh.”

They were on yet another beautifully maintained street where people sat relaxing on their porches drinking sodas, children played happily on well-manicured lawns. In stark contrast, a handful of workers were trimming some of the bushes along the sidewalk. As Rachael looked—really saw what was in front of her—she felt sick and stupid for not noticing it before.

While the happily playing children and lounging residents all wore clean, expensive looking clothes and looked like they’d just come from a hair salon, the workers were all clad in what looked like hand-me-downs, mainly jeans and plain T-shirts. None of their clothing was ragged, but the contrast between workers and residents was easy to see if one paid attention.