I go still and look closer at the pair, letting my talent loose. The woman’s mind is frantic, but the man’s is like hot coals.

Help! Someone, help!

I yank back my magic with a small cry. There are two minds in that man—the one the body belongs to, begging for help, and the dominant one, shoving the owner down.

My knees shake, and I sink into the dirt, garnering even more odd looks for the second time that day. Jemma said it was best not to share my talent with the villagers. But they can still tell that there’s something different about me.

The man continues to act strangely, and the cry of the mind inside is too loud to bear. I manage to find my feet and then break into a run. I don’t stop, don’t listen to a single yell that follows me, until I’m free of the market crowds.

I know that talent. Body walking. The ability to take control of another person’s body and silence the mind inside. All it takes is one touch, and then the body walker can overtake a person whenever they want regardless of distance. The connection doesn’t fade over time either. At any moment, a victim could be back under the body walker’s command. No talent terrifies me more.

Now, here in Sebastian’s village, there’s a body walker on the loose.

Chapter Two

I halt in my tracks on the path to Sebastian’s house. What if the Lady is involved somehow? She’s imprisoned nearby. My breath stutters, and I brace myself on the nearest tree.

I must warn Sebastian. I break into a run so I don’t lose my nerve.

As I enter Sebastian’s little cottage, he is there to greet me.

“They’re here,” he says, his eyes alight with hope.

Fear tightens into a knot in my chest, and I grab his arm.

“Sebastian, I need to tell you something—”

Jemma pokes her head into the hall. “Simone, we were getting worried.” She frowns, brushing her brown curly hair away from her face. The worry that had been gnawing at her begins to fade, and I can feel her irritation set in like an itchy cloak.

“I got distracted,” I say, closing the door behind me.

Again? Jemma thinks. Then sheepishly turns away. She hasn’t gotten used to having a mind reader around yet. Most people can go their whole lives without meeting someone with magic. And when they do, we take some getting used to.

“What do you want to tell me?” Sebastian asks, but Jemma clicks her tongue.

“That will have to wait until after dinner. We have guests, and it’s rude to keep them waiting.”

I swallow hard, trying to shove my racing heart back into place. Jemma steers me and Sebastian toward the table, where the two librarians await us. One of them is a young woman with a curious mind who Jemma introduces as Rachel, while the older woman, Ida, looks me over as if I’m something to eat.