Maeve raises an eyebrow. “And why is that?”

“We know it’s in Parilla, somewhere near the center. But that’s about it. My sister was the one who knew the way.”

I put my fork down. I had almost forgotten that unpleasant detail. It seemed like such a good idea until that whole bit.

“That will make things more difficult,” Maeve agrees.

“And we aren’t entirely sure where we are now either,” Sebastian adds, glummer than before.

I scrunch my face. “Do you know where we are?”

Maeve laughs. “Yes, I do. I think I can help you with both problems, actually, and you can help me too.”

My eyes widen. “How?”

“I know where we are, for one, and two, I happen to be carrying a map, so I can help you find the Parillan Archives.”

“That would be amazing!” Sebastian cries.

“But how can we help you?” I ask.

Maeve’s smile falters. “The truth is, I’m lonely. It’s been rather depressing searching for my family alone. But the three of us, we have a common goal. There’s something powerful in that. And the Archives might hold the key to finding my family too.”

For a moment I am unable to believe our good luck. But then I let my talent dip into Maeve’s thoughts. They’re warm and hopeful, over the same familiar undercurrent of loss.

There’s no trace of a con or lie.

I give Sebastian a quick nod, and he grins.

“We’d love to travel with you,” I say. Relief floods over me. We’re safe. We have someone to protect us, someone to guide us on our journey.

We’re no longer alone.

Chapter Eight

Early the next morning, we leave the little shack behind along with the mystery of its missing owner. Maeve has decided we’ll stop by the first village we find to get enough supplies to feed all three of us. When I blurted out that we had no money for food, she laughed and told me that she was not without means and was happy to provide for us as long as we traveled together.

Maeve is kind and generous. She walks tall and proud like Lady Aisling did, but with none of her wickedness. None of her conceit.

For a time, I attempt to mimic her stride as we walk through the woods. The way she carries her head, her arms. But my legs are too short, and I can’t quite get my arms to swing in the same manner. Sebastian gives me a puzzled glance.

What are you doing?

I grin. I like the way Maeve walks. Like she’s strong and fearless. I want to walk like that too.

He nods, understanding. When you’ve spent years living in constant fear, surrounded by those who feel the same, it isn’t easy to walk tall, even after your fear is in the past. Maeve is undaunted. Calm and kind. Strong without cruelty. She’s everything Lady Aisling was not.

Her mind is more disciplined than most people’s too. Though I try hard to keep my talent in check, every once in a while I accidentally dip into her thoughts. But they remain the same: sadness and determination. And with a touch of lightness now that we’re all traveling together.