She stopped. “I don’t know. Ifeelsomething is wrong.”
“Like what?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know. There is something about this place...” She ran her gaze around the room one last time.
“I had felt that way, as well, but I figured it was because I was going half mad with boredom and frustration.”
“I just don’t understand why I feel this way.” She shook her head. “I suppose this feeling is nothing, then.”
“Let’s hope so.” He gave her an encouraging smile. “Shall we continue outside?”
“Yes, we should—”
Suddenly, a small voice calling for help echoed through the walls. Chills ran up Clarissa’s spine, turning her blood cold. Ryder’s eyes widened, and his mouth hung open. She sucked in a startled breath as her body began to shake.
“There’s that voice again,” Ryder muttered softly. “That’s what I’ve been hearing.” He jerked from side to side as he turned and looked through the empty room. “But down here, the voice is louder.” He cleared his throat and called out loudly, “Where are you?”
“In here.”
Clarissa gasped. “She answered you.” Unknown fear rushed through her faster. That voice... Clarissa knew that voice, but it couldn’t be who it sounded like.
“Where are you at?” Ryder called again.
“In a dark place.”
Tears stung her eyes as she clutched Ryder’s arm. He jerked his head toward Clarissa. She licked her suddenly dry lips.
“That voice is...my mother’s!”
FIFTEEN
Ryder’s heart droppedjust as panic tightened his gut.The queen had been taken?When in the blazes did that happen? “Are you certain?”
“Yes.” Clarissa’s voice shook.
“But...did you not see your mother this morning?”
