“I was really young, but I loved it,” Cami says. Suddenly, she laughs. “I don’t remember much, but I know that we walked around for hours and visited different buildings—the hospital, the shower block, the dining hall, and scullery. Some places were really creepy, but mostly because of the stories our guide shared—stories about the ghosts that supposedly linger in each of the places, some good, some evil. Even as young as I was, I didn’t believe in that kind of thing. The tour was entertaining, but it seemed a bit of a joke to me. To Landon and Kael, too. Jeremiah had to keep telling us to behave.”

She laughs again, the memory continuing to flow over her. “That all changed when we visited the morgue. The guide switched off all the lights and told us about the ghost who was said to haunt the place and how he had this … this … inclination toward touching young girls. Our guide was a true storyteller, her delivery so dramatic that she had my rapt attention. I was so focused on what she was saying that when I felt fingers tickle down my arm, I screamed bloody murder and jumped so high that I crashed into Landon. Everyone around us started shrieking and bolting for the door—everyone but Kael, who burst out laughing and raised his hands while saying, ‘Sorry, I couldn’t resist.’”

A snort leaves me. “He didn’t.”

“He did,” Cami says, turning to grin at me. “Once Landon realized what had happened, he started laughing right along with Kael. I was so embarrassed, but after the shock wore off, I couldn’t help joining in. Everyone else on the tour had no idea what was happening—they thought we were all possessed or something. I’m pretty sure Jeremiah must have considered wiping all their memories rather than having to keep apologizing for us.”

The smile on her face is one I haven’t seen before, full of nostalgia, of the sweetness of memories long forgotten now returned.

“That was a good night,” Cami says. Quietly, she finishes, “It was only a couple of days later that everything … changed. And then Jeremiah, Kael, and Caroline—Kael’s mum—were gone soon after.”

I didn’t realize the timing was so close. I’m saved from having to respond when the tunnel begins to lighten around us, an indication that we’re finally nearing the end.

Arryn clears her throat, bringing us back to the task at hand. “Given the time of day, we shouldn’t have to worry about running into anyone who thinks we’re trespassing, since most of the tours happen at night. But still, be on your guard. And if anyone asks, just claim to be part of a paranormal investigations team.”

“Like Ghostbusters,” Cami says.

Silence from Arryn, before she replies, “Or you could just let me do the talking.”

I bite my lip to keep from grinning.