Hollow Dolls

by MarcyKate Connolly

  “Have you heard of Lady Aisling and her Garden of Souls?”

  Surprise flits over Maeve’s face. “I have.”

  I turn my eyes back to my twisting hands. “I was one of her captives. Which means I have a talent. Mind reading. The people who rescued us tried to find my family, but it was no use. There was a memory stealer under her control, too, so I don’t even know what they looked like. All I have is a location to help me find out what happened to them, but no one has ever heard of the village. We thought a record of it might be somewhere in the library.”

  My mouth snaps shut, and my limbs feel strange and loose all of a sudden. I can’t bring myself to face Maeve.

  But I don’t have to.

  “You poor thing,” Maeve says, then wraps an arm around my shoulders. “Thank you for trusting me enough to tell me. I hope the Parillan Archives can help us both.”

  My heart begins to settle into a normal pace again as I lean into her embrace. “You’re not angry?”

  She laughs. “Not at all. You were right not to tell me at first. That’s a fearsome talent, and one that some might want to take advantage of. You have to be careful and protect yourself.” She squeezes me a little tighter. “But now that you know me a little better, I’m glad you decided to confide in me.”

  Relief warms me. I shall have to tell Sebastian when he returns from gathering berries for breakfast. Maybe he’ll want to confide in her too. But I’ll leave that choice up to him.

  “Do you know when Lady Aisling took you?” Maeve asks.

  I frown. “No. Long enough ago that all trace of my village—Wren—seems to have disappeared. I even asked the Lady myself a couple days ago, but she couldn’t remember.”

  Maeve raises her eyebrows. “You faced your captor yourself? You’re brave.” I blush. “And if Lady Aisling can’t remember when she took you, that must mean you are very old. She must have had a life bringer talent in her garden—and a youth keeper, too, I assume?”

  “Yes, which has made this all more confusing, really.”

  “Don’t worry, if there are answers to be had in the Archives, we’ll find them.” She squeezes my shoulder. “I’m glad you told me.”

  “I was afraid you wouldn’t want to be around me. Most people think me strange.”

  “I have never minded strange,” Maeve says, releasing me and standing up. “Now, let’s fix ourselves some breakfast.”

  I stand too, feeling lighter than I have in a very, very long time.

  • • •

  I have no idea how far we’ve traveled or how long we’ve walked, but it feels like forever to me. It’s a good thing I have Sebastian and Maeve here to keep me on the path. It seems like at every turn there are new, inviting ones that could lead to somewhere intriguing. I would be hopelessly lost on my own, so distracted by every trail I could take that I’d never be able to keep to the one I need the most.

  But with them by my side, I have only gotten sidetracked here and there. Long enough to run my hands over a strange new flower or leaf, or to greet a small bird or animal nearby. Every now and then, I have to let out a burst of energy with a twirl or skip ahead, but they always anchor me. The comforting feel of their minds is the tether that prevents me from floating away on the afternoon breeze.

  We left the deep forest this morning as the terrain became hilly, then mountainous. The library is supposed to be here somewhere on one of the highest peaks. We’ve let Maeve lead the way. I suppose we’ve been accustomed for so long to letting someone else lead that it’s second nature to us. Falling back into the habit is a relief.

  Both Sebastian and I feel a little safer having someone else in charge.

  Safe enough that Sebastian even decided to tell Maeve about his talent. Of course, she embraced it as warmly as mine.

  Maeve is happiest this way too. When we first met her, her thoughts were forlorn, but now that she has someone to look after, they’re brighter and more hopeful.

  Perhaps we found what we need in each other.

  We started up the mountain near midday, and now our feet ache from all the marching. At least we’re well fed, thanks to the supplies Maeve bought at the last village. The sun dips low in the sky, and the shadows encroach from the east. There are curious animals here and there, especially a mama fox and her cubs who have been trailing us ever since they saw us stop for a snack late in the afternoon. The mother’s thoughts reveal how hungry she is and hopeful for an easy remedy for her and her babies. Without letting Sebastian or Maeve see, I quietly remove some of the beef jerky from my bag and sprinkle it behind me.

  I smile, hearing the elated thoughts of the mother fox and the little squeals of her babies.

  For a moment, Maeve frowns. “What was that?”

  I smile innocently. “I didn’t hear a thing.”

  Sebastian looks at me funny, and I shrug. Maeve turns back to the trail.

  “It’s getting late. Hopefully, we’ll find the Archives before nightfall,” she says. A hint of worry tinges her words, and I slip into her mind.

  And they’ll let us stay with them, she thinks.

  I stumble over a root, but catch myself. Why wouldn’t they let us stay? Maeve said she has means and money, and Sebastian and I are willing to earn our keep. I want to ask, but I don’t want her to know I’ve been reading her mind without permission. I bite my curious tongue.

  But now worry begins to color every step. The forest seems a little darker and deeper, the animals a little louder. The clouds gathering overhead almost seem to form a frown in the sky.

  Sebastian notices, of course. What’s the matter? he thinks at me, but I just shake my head. He’s feeling much less fearful since we found Maeve. There’s no sense in both of us being scared. Hopefully, all will be well and we’ll have no trouble.

  Just when I fear I can move no farther and that we must’ve climbed two mountains at least, we reach a break in the trees and catch a glimpse of what lies ahead. I suck my breath in between my teeth sharply enough that it whistles.

  Before us is a tall peak, capped by an enormous circular stone building. It is the largest building I’ve ever seen, even from this distance—next to Lady Aisling’s mansion, of course. But this is more imposing. The gray stone is lit up by the setting sun, giving it a dusky purple hue. It’s more of a fortress than what I’d thought a library would be. It must be to protect all that knowledge inside.

  Sebastian’s thoughts are as awed as my own.

  “Well,” Maeve says, also clearly impressed. “I suppose that must be it.” She grins back at us, her gray eyes sparkling. “Not quite what I expected, but hopefully it holds the answers we all need.”

  Her hope is infectious, rolling off her in waves, and it buoys me up too.

  “Do you think we’ll get there before nightfall?” Sebastian asks.

  “If we hurry. Are you two feeling up to it, or should we stop to rest?” She considers us. I straighten my spine.

  “I’m ready,” I say, and Sebastian nods his agreement.

  “Then let’s get going.”

  We strike out once more, the giant structure now always in sight, getting a little closer with every step. The incline becomes steeper, but our steps don’t flag. There are only a handful of animals this high up, mostly birds. Their thoughts are sleepy and filled with settling into their nests. I wish we were settling into a bed, but I know we still have a little way left to go.

  When we finally reach the doorstep of the library, my head buzzes with exhaustion. Sebastian is nearly asleep on his feet. The only thing keeping me awake is the ache all over my body. I’m vaguely aware of Maeve knocking on the heavy wooden door and the keen-eyed woman who answers. I can’t focus on the words they exchange, but she seems to need some convincing. Eventually the door opens, and we trip inside. The woman’s expression appears confused, but I chalk it up to my exhaustion. I’m care
ful to keep my magic close. I need their help; I don’t wish to start off on the wrong foot by invading their privacy on their threshold.

  Through lidded eyes, I see hints of stone walls and candles lining the way through a long corridor. Just when I believe I couldn’t possibly take another step, a door opens and we’re shuffled inside a room with several cots. Someone—Maeve, I think—sets me down on the nearest one. It feels like the softest bed I’ve ever slept in. Her shadow looms over me, and soft lips whisper over my forehead. Sleep well, little one, she thinks.

  And I do.

  Chapter Ten

  When the sun wakes me the next morning, I ache everywhere. I groan and roll over to find I’m alone. The room is small but contains three cots. I suppose this must be where they keep unexpected guests.

  Reaching out with my talent to search for any familiar minds nearby, I can sense Sebastian dreaming in a room next to me and Maeve awake in the hall. I leave my bed behind to join her. Her face lights up when she sees me.

  “Simone. How did you sleep?”

  I stretch and yawn. “All right. But I’m sore. I’m not used to walking this much anymore.” When I traveled with Lord Tate and Alden, they usually gave me a pony to ride or brought me on the horse with them. I love to wander, but in the last couple of days, I’ve seen more than I ever have in my life. Well, that I can remember, anyway.

  “Have you talked to the head librarian yet?”

  Maeve sighed. “I’m waiting for her now.”

  “Do you think they’ll let us stay?” I swallow hard. At the moment, my greatest fear isn’t the body walker; it’s that we’ll never find the help we need.

  Maeve brushes a wayward lock of my wispy hair from my face. “Of course they will. How could they possibly say no to you?”

  My throat constricts. We haven’t shared with Maeve that the librarians visited us once before and did exactly that. But this time, under different circumstances, and with very little effort required on their part, I hope they’ll agree. Jemma thought they would.

  Sebastian’s door cracks open and he peeks out, rubbing his bleary eyes. “Morning,” he says. His dark curls are even more mussed up than my pale locks, and that makes me giggle.

  The sharp clickety-clack of shoes on stone rings out down the hall. A librarian I recognize—Rachel, the book binder—turns the corner with an odd look on her face. She startles when she sees me and Sebastian.

  “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?”

  Maeve speaks first. “We seek knowledge and understand that this is the best place in the three territories to acquire it.”

  Euna raises an eyebrow. “And what knowledge exactly are you seeking?”

  “The whereabouts of our families. My children have gone missing. And this girl, Simone”—Maeve puts her hands on my shoulders—“is searching for her family too.”

  Rachel steps forward. “Simone was one of Lady Aisling’s captives, ma’am. She has a talent.”

  Euna seems surprised. “Really? And what can you do, my dear?” She leans toward me.

  “I’m a mind reader,” I say. “But I try not to do it without permission.”

  “Of course,” Euna says thoughtfully.

  “All I know of my family is that they lived in the village of Wren somewhere in Parilla, possibly long ago. But no one has ever heard of Wren. We were hoping there might be some record of it in your archives.”

  “Ah, then you don’t know when the Lady took you,” Euna says. The irritation she exuded when she first entered has dulled and is turning toward warmth. Maybe even sympathy. Or perhaps that’s just the fire. I’m too nervous to peek into her mind to find out for certain. I doubt she’d appreciate that, and it wouldn’t be the best way to start if we want to be allowed to stay here.

  “We don’t have any researchers to spare at the moment,” Euna warns. “You would have to hunt through our collections yourselves. It will be tedious and may take a long time. And even then, we can’t promise results. But if Wren really did exist and any maps or scrolls about it survive, they will be here.”

  Hope rises in my chest and flies out my mouth before I can stop it. “Does this mean we can stay?”

  Rachel laughs, and Euna speaks. “Yes. Rachel will take you to the wing with available rooms and show you where the books you need might be. And she will show you where you can get some breakfast too. I have no doubt it was a long journey, and you must be famished.”

  She stands and takes her leave, though not without a sideways glance at Maeve, who seems relieved.

  I’m relieved too. After our experience with Ida, the older librarian, I was afraid Euna would say no. But now that that’s settled, my stomach growls so loudly, I can’t hear over it. Breakfast first, then everything else can come later.

  • • •

  Rachel brings us to a larger room that perhaps was once filled to the brim with people from the three territories visiting and learning, but that number has slowed to a trickle. Or maybe we’re just late for breakfast. I never was good with time.

  A large round table set out with breakfast stables sits in the center of the room. Bowls of fruit, hard-boiled eggs, sausages, breads and cheeses, muffins, and gri
ddle cakes—my favorite—make my mouth water.

  “This is where we meet for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We have excellent cooks on staff,” Rachel says. “Please help yourselves. I’ll return in half an hour to bring you to your quarters, and then I’ll show you where to begin your research.” She ducks back through the doorway, leaving us with the food and a handful of other librarians and researchers.

  Sebastian wastes no time digging in, piling his plate high with muffins and sausages. I follow suit, helping myself to some griddle cakes and fruit. Maeve does the same.

  “They’re my favorites,” she says, and I flush. It’s almost as if she could read my mind.

  We find a table and begin to eat. Sebastian’s mind is aflutter. How long do you think it will be until Jemma gets here too?

  I don’t know. I guess it depends on how long the body walker takes to release her. I immediately regret my thoughts as Sebastian nearly chokes on his muffin. I’m sure she’s on her way by now. Maybe just a couple days more.

  I hope so, he thinks.

  A few minutes later, a woman joins us. She’s about the same age as Jemma, with light hair and eyes so dark brown they almost seem black. She has a huge grin on her face that’s more startling than anything.

  “Welcome to the Parillan Archives! I’m Devynne. I hear you two”—she gestures to me and Sebastian—“are talented.” She beams. “I’m studying the origins of the Cerelia Comet and magic itself. I’d love to pick your brains.”

  The way she looks at us gives me shivers. Sebastian nudges me under the table.

  I don’t like how she said that, he thinks.

  Me neither.

  “Perhaps another day,” Maeve says gently. “We’ve only just arrived and have much to do.”

  Devynne waves that off. “Of course, of course. But please, before you leave, I must sit you both down and learn about you and your talents.” She leans back in the chair and sighs. “Isn’t it wonderful how many talented there are around, now that Lady Aisling is no more? Who knew she had trapped so many of those poor people in that garden of hers, all just to hoard their magic for herself?”