As the sounds of the dogs and horses fade, my hopes rise. We’re safe, and we’ve found help. Perhaps we’ll make it through this journey in one piece after all.

Chapter Seven

A few moments later, Maeve comes back inside and opens the door under the stairs. The light in the house is starting to fade as the sun sets.

“They’re gone. You should be safe now.”

A laugh bubbles in my throat, but I choke it down and only a little squeal comes out. I don’t wish for this kind woman to think I’m odd.

“Thank you,” Sebastian says.

Maeve places her hands on her hips and stares at us. “Now what am I going to do with you two?” She looks so serious for a moment that I cringe, but then she breaks into a laugh. “I have just the thing.” She opens a bag next to her chair and pulls out more food, including some of the chicken she used to drive away the dogs. “Eat. I know you’re hungry. You don’t seem like the sort to go stealing apples for fun.”

She gestures to the other chairs by the table, and Sebastian and I don’t hesitate. Maeve watches us while we eat, and I can’t help it. My grip on my talent slips, and her thoughts open to me again.

A boy and a girl, just like my children…

I glance away, seeing the melancholy shine in her eyes. She must have lost her children. Just like we lost our parents. What an awful thing. All of us, missing little pieces of our lives.

Maeve straightens up and smooths her skirts. “So, where are you two headed? And where is your family?”

I realize she must assume we’re brother and sister. “Oh, we’re not related. I’m”—I pause, considering how much to tell her—“an orphan. And I’ve been staying with Sebastian’s family. We’re headed to the Parillan Archives to see if we can locate any of my relatives.”

Let’s not tell her about our talents just yet, I think to Sebastian.

Good idea.

“And what about Sebastian’s family? Aren’t they traveling with you?”

“Well, they were.” My hands twist uncomfortably in my lap.

“We got separated,” Sebastian says. “My older sister is our guardian, and we don’t know where she is now.”

“But”—I glance at Sebastian—“she’s supposed to meet us at the library.”

Sebastian stares at me, and I let my talent roam his mind. Are you sure we should hide our talents? She did help us, after all.

It’s just temporary. People act strangely when they find out that we’re talented, and I don’t want to share that yet.

That’s true. He stares at his hands.

“Are you two all right?” Maeve looks at us oddly.

I blink rapidly. She caught us talking between our minds. Of course we seem strange now. Just what I’d hoped to avoid.

“Have you lived here long?” I ask, changing the subject instead of answering her question.

Maeve’s eyes widen. “This ramshackle place? Goodness, no. I was passing through, and this seemed like as good a place as any to stop for the night.”