Alias pursed his lips, his heart racing in relief. Thank goodness. He thought and closed his eyes for a second. Theo hadn't changed his mind.
"I found it," he said. "I found a better place."
Maya dropped her spoon into her bowl with a splash. "A better place? Truly? You aren't joking, Mister Alias? You aren't just telling us stories?"
Alias shook his head, his silver hair catching the morning light. "It is not a story. It is a place with clear, deep water and silver fish. There is green grass for animals to graze, and trees that will give you fruit even when the sun is high. We can build a house there—one where you don't have to sweep the dust from your bed every morning."
Maya looked at Theo, her breath catching. The hope in her eyes was so bright it was almost painful to look at.
Theo, however, didn't move. He leaned back in his chair, his broad shoulders tensing.
