These are much better accommodations than what we had last night, Sebastian thinks. I startle; I didn’t even realize my talent was loose.

But I smile at him across the space between our cots. Much better indeed.

He yawns and rolls over, worries about his sister and the looming body walker circling through his mind. I leave his thoughts to him and let my talent wander elsewhere. The night is still, though wild animals roam the forest. Bats hunting insects fly overhead, while a pack of wolves chases a deer who is nearly as tired as me and Sebastian. I yank my talent away from them and linger on the other creatures instead. Owls, raccoons, and opossums skitter among the trees, their trundling thoughts creating a warm background noise that I can’t help finding soothing.

I drift off to sleep, lulled by visions of delicious insects and little ones whining to be fed.

* * *

In the morning, I’m woken by Sebastian’s startled thoughts.

Where am I? Quickly followed by memories of the night before and meeting Maeve.

I sit straight up on my cot. “Thanks a lot,” I say, then laugh.

Sebastian rubs his eyes sheepishly. “Sorry. It’s hard to sleep. And waking up somewhere other than home or…” His voice trails off.

“I know. It’s still confusing for me too sometimes.”

He nods but says no more, and I keep my magic out of his head. I already know what he’s feeling. I feel the same way.

We dress quickly and quietly, then make our way into the main part of the little house. Maeve is at the stove, cooking what smells like the most delicious scrambled eggs in the world. My belly rumbles. Who knew being on the run could leave one so hungry all the time?

Maeve brightens when she sees us. “Come, sit. I thought I’d make breakfast. It’s much nicer to eat with friends.” She pauses. “We are friends, aren’t we? I don’t mean to presume.”

My face flushes at the unexpected declaration. I don’t know that I’ve ever had a real friend besides Sebastian. Perhaps some of the other of the Lady’s servants could be considered my friends, like Kalia the dream eater or Melanthe the mind mover, but no one was ever as close to me as Sebastian.

“Yes, I…I think we are.”

A smile dances over Sebastian’s face. “Friends it is,” he agrees.

“Oh good. Here you are.” Maeve puts a plate heaped with scrambled eggs and toasted bread in front of each of us.

The food is as delicious as it smells, and we waste no time digging in.

Maeve watches us while we eat, with an expression that sends my gut aflutter. The emotion behind it is something I know I felt long ago, but the memory itself is impossible to grasp.

“You still intend to go to the Parillan Archives?” Maeve asks.

I nod between bites. Sebastian kicks the leg of the table and sighs. “Yes, but it’s not going to be easy,” he says.