“Tell me about the roamers,” I say, forcing myself to focus on the present moment.
“What do you want to know?”
“How did it all start?”
“Well,” Wreck pauses, thinking. “A group of servants started a big riot back in Central Settlement many years ago. I heard they slayed the masters along with their guards and escaped to the Dark Land. They founded a small village and formed a squad of rangers to protect them from any hostile strangers. They were also planning to take over Central Settlement and liberate the remaining servants, but it didn’t work out. In time, the rangers transformed into a gang and began killing any travelers who happened upon their land.” He grins. “That’s about it. The end.”
“How sad,” I say. “So not everyone in your village is a ranger?”
“Of course not. You’ve just never been in the section where most folks live. They’re kinda peaceful, you know. They provide us with food in return for protection.”
“I thought you robbed other villages to get food and clothes.”
“Nah, we ain’t quite that bad,” Wreck says. “Some folks in our village grow cows and chickens. They trade with the nearby settlements. We don’t really attack anybody. We mostly just protect our land, making sure nobody bothers us.”
“I heard you were kidnapping women and children from other villages,” I say, remembering what Trent told me.
“Oh, come on.” Wreck rolls his eyes. “Why would we do that? We have plenty of women and children in our village. Besides, can you imagine the number of mouths we’d have to feed if we engaged in regular kidnapping? It’s not like we’re starving, but we don’t have unlimited resources either.”
“But didn’t the rangers kill the family of the previous high master?”
“We have a strict policy not to attack Central Settlement,” Wreck answers, and I notice some tension in his voice.
“Well, somebody cut off their heads,” I say. “Sounds like ranger methods to me.”
“We didn’t do it,” Wreck answers sternly, and I see a sparkle of anger in his eyes.
I decide it’s better not to press further.
“Did Jingfay really start that riot amongst the servants?” I ask, remembering how excited the rangers became after I mentioned her name.
“Yep,” Wreck answers.
“So she is real,” I smile. “Where is she now?”
Wreck remains quiet for a few moments, then says flatly, “Jingfay died.”
I feel a sudden wave of sadness. I realize that all this time I’ve been hoping to meet Jingfay, as if she could somehow help me to find myself. It seems silly now.
“I heard she was the last Amazon warrior,” I sigh.
“Nah, she wasn’t the last,” Wreck says. “There are still a few hanging around.”
“Really?” I look up at him. “Have you met them?” He nods. “What are they like?”
“Fierce warriors.”
“I’d like to meet them.”
“Well, we’ll see about that,” Wreck promises, and I can’t decide whether he’s just joking or not this time. Can Amazon warriors be real? Do they still exist?
“You know there are many myths about roamers back in Central Settlement,” I say. “Some people believe you can turn into wolves. Isn’t it funny?”
Wreck grins, moves a little closer to me and whispers, “I’m not supposed to tell you this just yet. It’s secret.” He pauses, his grin becoming wider. “We actually do know how to turn into wolves.”
“I don’t believe in fairy tales,” I state.
“It’s no fairy tale,” Wreck assures. “It’s true.”
“You mean to say you are a werewolf?” I ask, and he nods. “Prove it. Turn into a wolf right now. I dare you.”
“Well, I can only do it when there’s a full moon.”
“There’s a full moon right now,” I remind him.
“So there is,” he admits, “but the clouds are blocking it. The sky has to be clear.”
“Liar! That’s enough. I’m going to sleep.”
Wreck laughs, tilts his head back and lets out a long creepy howl in the perfect imitation of a wolf. A few moments later I hear a scary familiar howling coming in return from the distance, causing me to shiver.
“My brothers,” Wreck comments.
I walk a few yards away and lie under a tree, watching him as he sits at the fire. He stares off into the darkness with his glazed-over eyes, smirking. I realize that in being here alone with him, I’m completely at his mercy. I don’t feel safe at all around this guy.
CHAPTER 26
I’m back in the basement, running for the door as Gabriel grabs me from behind. His arm holds me so tightly I can’t move. Frightened, I violently jerk my head back, headbutting him.
“Dang it, Kora!”
I open my eyes and find I’m not in a basement. I’m in the woods, lying on my side under a tree. Wreck sits beside me, rubbing his chin.
“Sorry,” I mutter in a shaky voice, panicking. “I didn’t realize it was you.”
He throws a sharp look my direction. It’s scary as I know he has a violent temper. There’s no telling what he may do.
“Who else could it be?” he asks.
“Gabriel attacked me in a dream,” I explain, my hands trembling.
“Well, I’m real glad you headbutted Gabriel,” Wreck grins. “But you almost knocked out my teeth! I wasn’t attacking you. I just wanted to hold you.”
I stare at him. “What?”
Wreck stops grinning, seemingly troubled, and mutters, “It’s cold. You were shivering. I just thought I would warm you.”
“I hate when anybody touches me,” I snap, feeling spiteful now.
He thinks for a moment, his eyes lowered.
“Sorry,” he says quietly, shuffling away. “I didn’t mean anything. I really didn’t. I promise it won’t happen again.”
He sounds sincere. He walks
