“That’s because it’s relatively new,” Arryn says. “The original building burned down in a fire—I remember reading about it years ago. It was called the isolation hospital, but since there’s already a medical ward”—she waves to the older building— “people started whispering that it was really some kind of experimental laboratory. That fed into the claims that the ghosts haunting it were so distressed by whatever led to their deaths that they somehow set it on fire.”

I raise my eyebrows at that, since as far as my paranormal knowledge goes, ghosts aren’t exactly corporeal beings that can light a match with ease.

Arryn catches my look and shrugs. “I’m not saying I believe it. It’s just what I heard.” She points back to the newer structure and adds, “It took a number of years, but for ‘historical reasons’ they decided to rebuild the burned hospital. As far as I know, no one’s allowed in there, though. It’s in place purely for dramatic retellings and spooky tales.”

I have to admit, while it might be the middle of the day with the sun bearing down on us, what I’ve seen of Q Station is creepy. Everything about it, from the dirt roads to the grassy fields to the dense trees lining the pathways and the crumbling wooden buildings. And the history—it just feels as if there’s so much history here. I’m as skeptical as they come, but ignoring the ghost factor, I’m aware that so many people who were quarantined here ended up dying from their various diseases. The ground on which I tread might as well be coated with blood.

I shake off that thought and continue down the road until we reach a cluster of buildings where, Cami shares, the ghost tours begin and end. We bypass a small group of people murmuring excitedly to each other, then hurry past a building with touristy signs and posters that butts onto a jetty leading to the wharf— and our ride into the city.

“The easy part is now over,” Arryn says as we watch the approaching ferry. “I hope you’re both prepared for what comes next.”

Chapter Nine

CHAPTER NINE

We catch the ferry straight to Circular Quay, just as we would have if we’d left directly from the zoo. I thought I was going to have to Speak us onto the boat, but Arryn produced enough cash to buy our tickets. I was again reminded of Kael’s explanation that it’s best not to use our abilities on people unless absolutely necessary.