Without knowing for sure, there’s only a handful of people here we can really trust.

“Besides, with Lady Aisling’s powers gone, there’s nothing to fear,” Maeve continues.

We exchange a glance.

Sebastian finds his voice first. “We haven’t been entirely honest with you about that.” He glares at his feet. “My sister was taken by a body walker too. That’s how we became separated.”

I can’t look at Maeve. My cheeks flame, and rocks churn in my belly. “When I finally caught a glimpse of her mind, she told us to run and that she’d meet us here.”

Maeve’s gentle touch cools the heat of my embarrassment.

“I understand,” she says. “That must have been terrible for you. All alone with no idea who you could trust.” She puts her arms around us both and draws us in. We melt into her. “I hope you can trust me now.”

“Yes,” Sebastian and I both murmur. And we mean it with all our hearts.

“Then trust this: I will keep you safe. The body walker will not harm you. Not while you’re with me. I promise you that.”

My shock at her certainty lets my talent slip for a moment and peek at her thoughts. Her mind is as orderly as always, and her certainty about this is unshakable. I remember Jemma’s promise to protect us and how it was undercut by her own fears over who would protect her. There’s nothing like that in Maeve’s mind.

“How can you be sure?” Sebastian asks. “I thought we were safe with my sister, and I was wrong about that.”

Maeve holds us at arm’s length, a serious look on her face. “Because I will fight for you with everything I have. I’m sure your sister loves you, Sebastian, but is she a fighter?”

He shakes his head. Jemma was kind and thoughtful, but definitely not a fighter, that’s for sure. But Maeve is. I can tell. From the way she holds herself to her ordered mind, I can tell she doesn’t give up, and she’s stronger than anyone I’ve met who isn’t talented.

“Well, there’s your answer. I’m a fighter. And I’ll protect you at any cost. Now, let’s get you both inside.”

We let Maeve lead us back to our quarters, feeling a strange mix of fear, hope, and gratitude.

Chapter Fifteen

The day after the body walker attacked Euna, the library was in disarray. Researchers gossiped, and librarians were tasked with searching the stacks for more information about warding off body walkers. But by nightfall, Euna had regained her wits, though not her memories of that time, and the fearful urgency occupying the residents of the library lost its edge. Within a week, the attack seemed all but forgotten by everyone but me and Sebastian.

But we continue to search for ways to deal with body walkers while we wait for Jemma and Maeve does her own research for her family. Seeing our concern, Rachel continues to help as well. And she still keeps an eye out for any other references to Wren for me. It’s likely any town records were lost when it flooded long ago, but we’re still hoping to find out more about how long ago the valley flooded and what happened to the families that once lived there. If they moved somewhere else, perhaps I can still find them. But mostly, I explore, wandering through the stacks like a wayward leaf caught on the wind.