He pinched his chin and gave her a long look. “I don’t know what it was like where you came from, but this isn’t a prison. It’s a home. We don’t have guards; we have shepherds. We give you the best life we can until you’re old enough to choose your own path. You’ll receive an education in both human and Breed history. We don’t shelter Potentials from Breed knowledge. Even if you don’t choose to be a part of this world, you’ll always be a trusted human. You and your brother will have a whole week to settle in and get to know everyone before school starts.”
“How many kids are there?”
Reuben gave us a cursory glance. “I can’t say exactly. Not in front of guests. But we have a diverse group of boys and girls. Some are black like me, some are brown like you, and some are as white as the ghost sitting next to me.”
I chortled.
Reuben winked at me and crossed his arms. “A few children were sent here from other countries. We have a boy from Nigeria who’s teaching his language, and we encourage everyone to celebrate and learn about their heritage. This isn’t a place of conformity. No one is transferred out and separated from their friends. You get a chance to say goodbye to those who turn eighteen, and because it’s not easy to bring them back for visits, we have it set up so you can video chat with them. You’ll like it. Just you wait and see.”
Reuben had successfully abated any fears the girl had about their situation. She tried to straighten her appearance. Her hair was tangled, her cheek smudged with dirt, and her hand marred by a small cut. “Do you have any clothes? I ripped my only jacket.”
Reuben beamed and sat up straight. “Clothes? We have a large inventory we bought years ago, but we also make our clothes. There’s a sewing and knitting class. Nothing here goes to waste. The rabbits we eat give us fur, the chickens give us feathers, and the sheep give us wool.”
I frowned. “What about the cows?”
“Milk. Though we have fish and some livestock, we encourage a plant-based diet. Feeding our large group hamburgers every day would require more cows, and we have a lot of work on our plate right now. Venison is in abundance. We also trade with a few locals, but they don’t know who we are.” He glanced at Viktor. “We never bring anyone here to do trading. We’re careful. Real careful. The less we have to trade, the better.”
Viktor nodded. “I am impressed. This is nothing like what we have in the city. They do what they can, but I have not heard good things about those places.” Viktor admired the pasture. Because his clothes were still in the woods, Reuben had lent him a pair of blue trousers with suspenders and a long-sleeved white shirt.
Reuben reached across the table. “I know shaking hands isn’t customary, but someone told me that you’re a big contributor to our charity, and I want to personally thank you for all your support. Not everyone gets to see where their money goes, but your generosity makes a difference.”
Viktor looked at our host’s hand for a moment before shaking it. “You were a Potential, weren’t you?”
Reuben gave an impassive smile. “Once. Long ago. I wasn’t lucky enough to find a place like this as a boy.”
The handshake broke, and the two men sat back. Claude and Shepherd were chatting away at the end of the table, something about their respective dream homes.
I yawned while Viktor broke off a hunk of bread and tempted Eve with another piece.
“Don’t worry,” Reuben said, noticing my concerned expression as I glanced toward the front gate for the millionth time. “We’ll find your friends. If they’re in one of our traps, it might take a while to get them out.”
“What’s this place called?” Eve asked. “Does it have a name?”
Reuben rose from the table and stacked our empty bowls. “Wonderland. We had a vote years ago.”
She snickered. “What were some of the other choices?”
“Oz, Metropolis, and one girl wanted to call it Fern Valley. That name almost won.” He circled around the table and touched her shoulder. “Are you ready to pick out your room?”
Her eyes brightened. “I get a room of my own?”
“Of course! You can paint it, draw on the walls, decorate it any way you want. All you have to do is keep your bed made up and your room tidy. If you and your brother want adjoining rooms, we can arrange that, but everyone has their own space. No sharing.”
“We slept in an open room in the other place. Adam can sleep somewhere else. I want total privacy.” Eve stood up and addressed Viktor. “Thanks for bringing us here.” She gave him a quick hug and then bypassed Shepherd as she circled the table and stood before Claude. “Thanks for saving my life.”
Claude’s cheeks flushed. He took her hand and bowed his head. “It was my privilege, little one. Pay it forward someday.” He let go and smiled up at her. “Cherish your brother. You’re lucky to have each other. You have a big decision to make someday, but I know you’ll make the right choice. You’ve already seen the dangers, and maybe now you’ll see all the good. Have a long, happy life.”
“Um, you too. Thanks.” Eve averted her eyes and fidgeted. “I heard everything you told Carol. I’m sorry about your sister.”
What the hell had I missed? I’d never heard Claude talk about his family.
Claude tidied her hair with a sweep of his hand. “I was always her protector.”
“I kinda know what you mean. I fight with Adam sometimes, but he takes care of me. I don’t know what I’d do without him.” Tears shone in her eyes as she turned and looked at Shepherd. “Thanks for everything you did for my brother.”
Shepherd nodded but kept his eyes trained on his hot coffee as he took a slurp.
“You’re not as scary as you look.”
