Page 85 of Queen of Shadows and Ruin

“Describe it one more time,” Rabin said, definitely humoring her at this point. She did it, anyway, crossing the room to retrieve the notebook where she’d started recording everything. Her mind had become a muddled wash with all her strange visions and dreams.

Images of her mother contrasted with flashes of a war-torn Rahajhan and the sparkling city of Taaranas. It was becoming harder and harder to separate them, and she’d taken to writing everything down.

She read out her list while Rabin listened intently. She appreciated that he was still trying despite the fact he didn’t quite believe this.

“Excuse me,” came a soft voice after she’d recited her list from top to bottom. Urvi stood in the bathroom doorway, wringing her hands. “I think I might know the place you’re describing.”

Zarya nearly dropped her notepad. “You do?”

“I believe it’s in the vanshaj wing of the castle.”

Zarya clutched the notebook to her chest. They hadn’t searched there yet.

“It is?”

“I believe so,” she answered. “It reminds me of a spot I’ve passed a few times. It isn’t a place anyone goes to often.”

Zarya’s heart began thumping harder at those words.

“Do you think it would be okay to take us there?”

Urvi shook her head. “No, I couldn’t. It’s haunted.”

When Zarya was about to press, she added, “But I can tell you where it is.”

“Yes,” she breathed. “Please.”

“Zarya,” came Rabin’s stern voice. “I don’t know about this.”

“Please, let’s just look. I promise to drop it if we don’t find her there.”

Rabin’s jaw firmed before he dipped his chin. “Fine.”

“What do you mean, it’s haunted?” Zarya asked a moment later, curious about the second half of Urvi’s comment.

She shook her head. “Sometimes, noises come from the corridor. Wailing. Crying. It sounds like ghosts. It’s why so few are willing to pass anywhere near there.”

“But you do?”

“I have no choice when my duties take me that way, but I avoid it as much as possible.” Urvi visibly shivered.

Ghosts. Crying and wailing.

Or maybe just a woman in pain?

“Okay, please tell me where to find it?”

Urvi drew a picture with arrows, pointing to the spot, and Zarya studied it.

“Let’s go right now,” she said to Rabin.

“We’re supposed to meet the king.”

“Right.” She turned to Urvi. “Would you let His Majesty know that we got held up for a few minutes, but we’re on our way?”

“Of course,” Urvi said. “But… be careful.”

“Thank you,” Zarya answered. “Please don’t tell him where we are.”