“Oh!” she says. “It’s you two. I didn’t realize that. Ida and I just arrived last night too.” She gives Maeve a sideways glance. “Where is your sister?” she asks Sebastian.

He turns a distinct shade of green and scuffs his toe on the floor. I speak instead.

“We got separated from Jemma. She’s supposed to meet us here soon.” Another lie, another bit of truth. I wish to be wholly honest with these people, but at the same time I worry they might send us away if they believe we are connected to a body walker. It’s a delicate balance and not one I’m juggling well at all.

Rachel frowns. “I see. Well, I’m afraid she isn’t here. But hopefully she’ll arrive soon.”

I nod vigorously, and Maeve raises her eyebrows. I glance at my feet.

“We happened upon one another while traveling,” Maeve says. “And decided it would be best to travel together since we had the same destination in mind.”

“Our head librarian, Euna, will meet with you now to discuss what you hope to accomplish here.” Rachel gives me another long stare, then leads us down the hall. “I’ll take you to her.”

The corridor is lined with windows, and I can’t help peeking outside as we pass. We’re only on the first level of the fortress, but we’re high enough that we can see nearly all of Parilla—and probably parts of Zinnia and Abbacho—from this height. The world looks both enormous and tiny at the same time. The view is dizzying. Maeve taps my shoulder, and I realize I’ve stopped to stare.

“Come, child. There will be time for that later.”

I glance at Rachel and am relieved to see that she’s smiling. We continue, and I do my best not to let my eyes stray back to the magnificent sight beyond the windows. Like Maeve said, there will be time later.

But before we reach our destination, we turn a corner and see someone else I recognize—and wish I hadn’t. Ida raises her eyebrows at us and then sticks her nose in the air as she walks by in the other direction. Of course, she would be here. Rachel, however, doesn’t seem concerned at all, judging by the smirk that plays on her lips.

It isn’t long before Rachel brings us into a cozy sitting room with a warm fire and several overstuffed chairs set around it. I stretch my hands toward the flames instinctively. I love how they dance. But then the head librarian enters the room, and I immediately feel her irritation as she takes a seat. I’m not even trying to use my talent, so her temper must be quite short this morning. That doesn’t bode well for us.

I tuck my hands into hidden pockets in my skirts and give the woman my attention.

“Welcome to our library,” Euna says. She is a tall woman, with long, gray hair braided down her back and sharp hazel eyes. “To what do we owe your unexpected presence?”