To earn his trust, I became Hosea’s shadow. When he drank, I matched him gulp for gulp, and I ate every bite of food he offered. I helped him wipe down the horses and sat obediently as he changed my bandages. Later, we tethered Mary and Cumin to a tree as they grazed in a patch of sweet clover. All the while, I plotted my escape.

I stared into the distance. Deep in the maze of that wood was a hot spring capable of supporting my life. Mary was intelligent and gentle. I would lead her away that night, find the spring, and hide until Hosea gave up trailing us.

Just after noon meal, Hosea stood and stretched. “Are you ready?”

I groaned inwardly. I was exhausted, and I needed rest for my flight later. “Ready for what?”

“We need to collect firewood.”

I looked up. The sky, visible through the forest trees, was clear. The afternoon was hot. So why did we need a fire? Shrugging, I forced myself to my feet. When our arms were filled with kindling, he guided us back to the clearing and bent to arrange the wood.

My thighs screamed as I squatted beside him.

His chuckle broke the silence. “It keeps the animals at bay, Cobane.”

“Huh?” I swiped sweat from my brow.

“The fire,” he explained. “You’re wondering why we’re making a fire when it’s warm and light outside. It’s for our protection. Fire will keep animals away while we sleep.”

I squinted at him. “We’re sleeping here?”

“We’ve been making camp all day.” He made a face. “What did you think we were doing?”

I answered honestly. “Waiting for William to return.”

“And when we set the perimeter?”

“You mean, when we moved those stones into a circle?”

“Yes.” He smiled and tossed more wood on the pile.

I shrugged, feeling foolish. “At the Schoolhouse, it went better for us if we didn’t ask too many questions. I do what I’m told.”

“Well, you’re not at the Schoolhouse anymore, Cobane. Remember that.” He sounded smug.

I lifted my chin. “If you want questions, Vine Keeper, I have plenty. What does the Director want with me? How does he know my name?”

He stopped smiling. “I’ll tell you when you need to know.”

“Once I’m under his control, is he going to execute me?”

He didn’t answer.

“If he tries—to kill me, I mean—are you going to let him?”

He looked wary. “I think you’ve made your point.”