“Do you think I would’ve risked leaving the library if I didn’t?”

Of course she wouldn’t have. Maeve is always well prepared for everything. It just hadn’t occurred to me last night.

“Where are they?” I ask.

Maeve laughs again. “I shall keep that to myself for the time being. But in good time, perhaps I’ll share that with you too.” She crouches next to me and puts a hand on my shoulder. I force myself not to shudder. “I wish to share so much with you, my precious daughter. But I have to be sure I can trust you first. You’re too concerned with things that shouldn’t worry you right now, and I’m afraid you might do something rash to ruin my plans.”

“What could I possibly do that would ruin everything for you?” All I can do is read minds. While useful, I don’t see how that could possibly impact Maeve’s plans. Physically, I’m no match for Maeve, if it came down to that.

“It’s a risk. And I’m very cautious about risks.”

She stokes the fire and begins to toast some bread over it. The smell makes my stomach rumble. My last meal was yesterday late afternoon. When she hands me a piece of toast and some cheese, I tear into it like I haven’t eaten in weeks.

Running through the woods and being held captive can really work up an appetite.

We eat quietly, neither of us sure what to say to the other. I can tell from unguarded parts of Maeve’s thoughts that she wants to know more about me, but the trouble is that neither of us can remember much about ourselves. Lady Aisling’s cruelty only continues to ripple through our lives.

I remain quiet until I can’t stand it any longer. Too many questions bubble inside me until I feel as though I will burst.

“Why Euna?”

Maeve frowns. “What do you mean?”

“Why did you take her over? What did you want?”

She laughs and shakes her head. “Access. I took her over several times, but the last was the longest, and the only one she or anyone else noticed.”

Now it is my turn to be confused. “Several times? Why didn’t we notice?”

“It was just for a brief moment. Long enough to make her say things like ‘Let them in’ and ‘Find them a room.’ Or ‘Yes, you can have full access to the ancient archives section.’”

My mouth drops open. “She wasn’t going to let us in. But you made her say yes. Why didn’t she realize it?”

“I took her over just long enough to make it seem as if she’d changed her mind, leaving her surprised and confused but unaware of what really happened. Nearly every time I’ve done that, the person won’t admit it wasn’t them. Their minds can’t handle that someone else could be controlling them. And they keep quiet to save face to the people around them. Pride is very predictable.”

Disappointment fills me. “Oh. I thought Euna liked us, but she only gave us special treatment because you forced her to do it.”