I turned back to the door, knowing I was in a terrible predicament. In spite of Rose’s warnings, I was desperately curious about the boy. This was what Bobbie was warning me about.

But now I had to know.

I hurried forward and pulled the door open. There was Eli, sitting on a thin mattress in the corner of the room. A simple space, no windows, a little table, a single lamp, no sheets, no pillows, no bed frame.

Stephen was sitting beside Eli. They both looked up at me.

Stephen held out a small bowl of grapes. “I wanted to share my snack.”

“Mother told us not to come down here,” Levi said just behind me. I glanced back, horrified to see that he’d disobeyed my instruction.

“But he was hungry,” Stephen said.

“How do you know?” Levi asked, peering around me.

“I was hungry, so I knew he must be too.”

“You’re going to get us in big trouble,” Levi said.

I knew I should rush Levi and Stephen back upstairs, but my eyes were glued to the blue-eyed boy sitting before me. He really did look so much like I imagined Lukas would have. The boy was watching me, maybe waiting for me to say something. He flashed me a small smile and I blinked, caught up in his sweet innocence.

“Hello,” I said. “I’m Grace. You’re Eli?”

“Yes,” he said.

“It’s a nice name.” A beat passed between us.

“Thank you,” Eli said in a sweet voice. His bright eyes drew me in like a deep well that could transport you to a different place if you stared for too long.

“He’s a magician,” Stephen announced excitedly. “He does magic tricks.”

“Magic is a sin,” Levi said.

Be careful, Grace.

Bobbie’s warning echoed in the back of my mind. This isn’t safe, Grace. Get out.

What had a moment ago felt like wonder quickly transformed to caution. I would face consequences if Rose found out we’d come down. What was I doing here?

“We need to go back upstairs right now.”

“Can Eli come too?” Stephen asked.

“No.” I glanced back at Eli’s face. “No, he has to stay down here.”

“But why?”

Seeing his face now, I struggled to wrap my mind around how such an innocent child could threaten us all.

They come in sheep’s clothing. Get out, Grace. Think of your baby.

“Because Mother said so, that’s why,” Levi scolded.

“That’s right,” I said. I reached a hand toward Stephen, not daring to go to collect him. “Come on, Stephen. We have to hurry.”

“Strangers are dangerous,” Levi said. “Mother’s going to punish you.”

Again the tiny whisper of doubt popped to life. Was Eli really a stranger? He was my brother, right? A brother could be a stranger, but . . .

“What is going on here?” a fearful voice asked from behind.