Epilogue

We return to the library, safely away from Maeve’s influence. The guards managed to capture Kalia and Natasha and bring them with us. Elias and Melanthe were nowhere to be found.

Maeve surely has them.

Still under Maeve’s control, Kalia and Natasha resisted at first. But the librarians gave them each an obsidian necklace to ward off any future attempts to reclaim them. Until we can find a permanent solution, they must always wear obsidian or risk being controlled by Maeve again. They’re bewildered but grateful. Rachel requested permission from Euna to research ways to permanently break the psychic bond a body walker creates with their victims and was granted it.

Then we can save Elias and Melanthe too.

The librarians have sent for their families, but Kalia and Natasha want to remain here. They want to help stop Maeve.

The guards searched the caves from top to bottom and found Ida and Jemma tied up in a cave deep in the system, farther in than I’d ventured. No wonder the brief hint of their thoughts was so faint. Jemma’s horse was found, too, lodged in a stable in the nearby village. According to one of the guards, food and supplies had been going missing every couple of days over the last few weeks. Both Ida and Jemma had been seen in the village acting strangely. As near as we can figure, Maeve was sending them in to the village at night to take things she needed after having them scout the place first. Perhaps her assertion that she had plenty of money was all a lie. Or it was at least ill-gotten.

But now they’re free. Sebastian and I are anxiously waiting outside the infirmary for Jemma to get the all clear so we can see her. It feels as if we’ve been in the hall waiting for hours, though Sebastian keeps telling me it hasn’t been that long at all.

To keep myself occupied, I let my talent wander the Archives, reaching out to brush over the thoughts of the librarians and their servants.

And then—I’m so grateful they found them and took them in…

The familiar shape of Jemma’s thoughts cuts through the static of all the rest. I give Sebastian a huge grin.

“She’s coherent again. That’s something.”

If thoughts could make people float, Sebastian would be lifted right off his feet.

As soon as we can see her brown curls, Sebastian takes off at a run. I’m right behind him. Seeing Jemma again almost makes it seem possible that everything could return to normal.

In spite of who I am, of who my mother is and what she’s willing to do.

Jemma embraces both of us tearfully, and we’re ushered into a sitting room and left to catch up. Sebastian begins to tell his sister everything before she’s even fully seated in the chair.

“I was worried about you both,” she says when he finishes. “I’m glad Maeve found you in the woods and took care of you, but to think that she was the body walker all along… She’s the one who…who…took over my body.” Jemma shivers.