No other choice

I had two options: I could follow the mysterious librarian, Rhea, or I could turn around and try to find my way back out of the labyrinthian shelves she had dragged me through. Jeanie was no help in choosing as she cowered behind me, hanging onto my arm like a timid child. The history between the women was still unknown and finding it out probably meant sticking around with Rhea. It was also my best bet for getting out of here quickly. I offered my hand to Jeanie who happily interlaced our fingers, and we both proceeded upstairs into the darkness. Rhea did not make it easy, her pace keeping her a few dozen steps ahead of us, and the echoing steps implied she was increasing her lead. I hustled after her hollow clicking until I could start making out her silhouette in the approaching light of day. I was surprised by how many steps it took to reach ground level; I didn't notice how deep into the earth we had descended. Rhea waited at the top of the steps for us to catch up.

"Alright, where's your car?" She asked impatiently.

"My car?" I chuckled incredulously. "Who's leading who here?"

"Hmmm, good point." She mused, and I felt my body seize up. I recognized the use of her Ring this time. It was a constricting feeling, like being trapped in a straitjacket, yet my body retained full mobility as I started marching towards my vehicle. It all felt and looked so natural, even from my perspective. I could feel the presence of Rhea's ring behind me, like the lead of a very short leash. It certainly gave me a new appreciation for the power on my own finger. When we reached the car, I shivered as the helpless feeling left my body, and my arm thankfully didn't raise to unlock the door until I willed it to. Rhea entered the seat behind me as I was buckling in, forcing me to play her chauffeur, and Jeanie took shotgun and sat with her knees tucked tightly under her chin.

"So... where to?" I meekly asked.

"Assuming it hasn't been compromised, your home should be adequate." Rhea instructed, crossing her arms under her chest. I pulled out of the library parking lot and headed home.

"Compromised? Who else is after this thing?" I asked through the rearview mirror. The librarian was idly gazing out the window, hardly giving the conversation any acknowledgement. Jeanie had also yet to offer any insight into things.

"Forces far greater than you could comprehend. If you're lucky, you won't be tangled up in this mystery long enough to meet them." It was like I fell into an action movie. I half expected armed goons to **** our car with machine guns. "How much farther?" She asked impatiently.

"Just a few blocks." I assured her, before realizing I didn't have to be so easily submissive to her. I directly ask, "Alright, could you at least give me a straight answer about you and Jeanie? How do you know each other?" The chained blonde looked back hesitantly, unsure who should answer the question. The librarian stared right back, expecting Jeanie to deliver to news. She guiltily gulped and locked her lips before replying.

"Peter... Rhea is my sister."