“I just don’t understand what would cause you to do such a thing,” Jamie snapped. “Our family is facing accusations as it is, with Rose eyeing Grace. The intruder was your husband, for heaven’s sake! Why would you draw more attention to us?”

“I don’t know,” Mother said, voice trembling. “I saw the boy when he first came, Jamie.” She sniffled. “His eyes, blue as they were . . . I’ve only ever been that struck once before—by you and your sister, when you were born. Everyone told us your eyes would lose their shine, but they never did.”

“And that was enough reason to stand publicly against our leadership?” Jamie demanded.

“Grace said your father mentioned the word brother. And after seeing him . . .” She faltered. “I’ve dreamed of him, Jamie. He’s just a child.”

“He isn’t just a child!” Jamie spat. “He’s dangerous! You’re living proof of his deception.”

“I haven’t been deceived. I just believe he needs his family to protect him.”

“Based on the color of his eyes?”

“Based on the way he made me feel. Based on the way I still feel!”

Jamie didn’t respond, and a moment later hard steps across the wooden floor echoed up the stairs.

“Jamie, please try to understand,” my mother called after him, but it was too late. I heard the front door slam, followed by a desperate whimper. Soon my mother’s whimpers turned to sobs, and I ducked back inside my room and pushed my door shut.

My heart was racing. I wasn’t the only one who sensed something about Eli. My mother had connected with him the way I had. Were we both deceived, then? Or both his only hope?

I considered rushing out of my room and down the stairs to stand with my mother and tell her she wasn’t alone. But there wasn’t time for that. Emboldened by her hope, I knew if I was going to act, I had to do so now.

“Don’t do this, Grace.”

I turned to face Bobbie, who was standing a couple feet behind me, face drawn and pale. I knew what she was going to say before the words came out.

“You’ll get caught.”

“Yes, I might,” I agreed. There was no point in denying what I knew.

“Then you would be insane to do what you’re thinking,” Bobbie said.

But it was already too late, because I knew what I was going to do as if I’d always known. I wasn’t willing for the boy to die before I understood who he really was.

Bobbie stepped forward and placed her hands on both of my shoulders. “Listen to me, Grace. If you’re wrong . . . Do not do this! They’ll crucify you!”

“Not if I don’t get caught,” I said. “That’s a risk I’m willing to take.”