Page 38 of A Fable of Riddles and Redemption

She wished she had someone she felt safe to confide in. Aside from Anala—who obviously couldn’t reply back—the only options were the addled woman beside her, Madame Giry, the eccentric Jurian, and…Herrick.

Zorina very quickly dismissed the idea of confiding in Herrick.

Or at least, she tried to.

Naturally, as she reached the castle gate to bring Megail home, Herrick was stationed there.

And in order to escort Megail through, she had to explain how she’d found her…to him.

Of course.

In a whirlwind of activity, Zorina found herself sitting in the same parlor again with Megail, Herrick, Duke Armand, and Captain Firmin. This time, however, Madame Giry had immediately been called for as well.

“Megail!” Madame Giry cried as she scrambled into the room, rushing over to her daughter and clasping both of her hands. “Oh my darling, are you all right?”

Megail, however, gave no response. She simply stared blankly at the wall.

Zorina cringed, imagining how horrible Megail’s mother must feel in that moment. The poor girl didn’t even seem to recognize her own mother!

The housekeeper desperately tried to reach her befuddled daughter, but to no avail. It was painful to watch.

“What happened to her?” Madame Giry demanded as she took a seat beside Megail.

“It appears she met the same fate as Carlotta Piangi,” Herrick answered quietly.

Duke Armand frowned. “Carlotta insists that the man we imprisoned is the one who attacked her—and that you were involved as well,” he added, looking directly at Zorina.

Zorina scowled. “I had nothing to do with it.”

“You did find both women, however,” Captain Firmin said with an arch of his eyebrow. “That seems a little suspicious, at the very least.”

“I live out in the woods,” Zorina countered, her tone flat as she tried to hide her annoyance at their stupidity. “They were both wandering aimlessly there. It only makes sense that I’d be the one to find them.”

Herrick nodded his agreement, which made her sigh in relief. At least someone believed her. “It wasn’t Zorina,” Herrick said firmly. “Both times, I witnessed her aiding these women.”

Madame Giry added, “Zorina would never hurt my Megail—or anyone.”

Well…that wasn’t entirely accurate, though Zorina had no intention of admitting it. Megail, no. But others? Unpleasant memories of past mistakes rose up in her mind—mistakes where she had harmed someone who, in the end, hadn’t deserved it. Not that she knew that at the time, but still…

“Then someone please explain what happened,” Duke Armand said with understandable exasperation.

After clearing her thoughts, Zorina told her tale once again, which was alarmingly similar to the one from when she’d found Carlotta. It felt more than a little repetitive to delineate a story that so closely mirrored the one from mere days ago.

This time, however, once she finished her explanation, Zorina swallowed before sharing her theory. “Both times, before I found them, I heard…music. It was beautiful, and spellbinding. I…I think I also heard it on the nights both women disappeared. I can’t help but wonder if it’s somehow related to their disappearances—and their returns.”

Herrick stared at her, his green eyes intense with what looked suspiciously like deep-seated concern…for her.

Duke Armand and Captain Firmin met each others’ gazes with questioning expressions.

Megail stared into nothingness, as expected at this point.

Madame Giry, however, pursed her lips thoughtfully. “What sort of music?” she asked, clearly the only other sensible person in the room.

“Flute music. It floated through the air at a distance, but it reminded me of the songs the masked piper played when he created the barrier.”

Duke Armand scoffed. “Caliban? He left town once he finished that task. We saw him leave, and no one has seen him since.”

Zorina frowned; she wasn’t so sure about that, but it seemed pointless to press the idea further. They obviously wouldn’t believe her.