“Leelo, I’m not going to endanger you, or your mother.”

She raised her head a little and whispered, “I’m scared.” It was the first time she’d admitted it out loud. She wasn’t just scared of Jaren and being caught. She was scared of what had happened to her brother, of her mother’s illness, of growing up. She was even scared of Sage sometimes. This island was supposed to be the one safe place for Endlans, but it didn’t feel safe anymore. It seemed as though one false step had landed her in a snare, and the more she tried to fight her way free, the more entangled she became.

“Leelo,” Jaren said, and she finally looked at him. He shrugged and gave a small, sad smile. “If it’s any consolation, I’m scared, too.”

Before Leelo went into her house, she washed her face with the remaining water from her skin, rinsing away any lingering dried tears. She still couldn’t believe she’d cried in front of Jaren.

She stepped inside to find her cousin setting the table.

“Dinner’s ready,” Sage said. With her hair pulled up into a messy knot and an embroidered apron tied around her waist, Sage was far less threatening than she’d been on the shore. As tough as she claimed to be, she’d never had to look a person in the eyes with the intent of ending their life.

They sat down to eat, and if Sage was suspicious about where Leelo had gone, she didn’t mention it. Aunt Ketty even told her she looked pretty with a little color in her cheeks. Fiona joined them for dinner, and no one argued or complained. Aside from the fact that Tate wasn’t there, it felt almost normal.

“What are you planning to do with your day off tomorrow?” Mama asked as Leelo helped wash the dishes. Ketty and Sage had gone to check on the lambs before nightfall.

“I have chores,” Leelo said. “And I promised Isola I’d visit her.” Isola had become a convenient excuse for sneaking off, but Leelo wasn’t sure how long she could keep it up. If anyone asked Isola about it, the girl would have no idea what they were talking about. Fortunately for Leelo, no one visited with Isola except for her. But she felt guilty for using Isola as a cover, and besides, it was going to take more than an hour or two to search for the boat.

“I can take over your chores,” Fiona said. “If you’d like.”

Leelo dried off the bowl her mother handed her. “You should be resting.”

“I’m feeling much better. Really. It’s time I start pulling my weight around here again. You’re seventeen. You should have some freedom on your day off.”