We Hunt the Flame

Zafira wakes up in an opulent palace, where she is greeted by a man who appears friendly. She finds him familiar for reasons she can’t explain, until he reveals that he is the darkness, the voice who’s been calling to Zafira in the Arz and on Sharr. He calls himself the Shadow, stating “I am zalaam, I am zill” (“I am darkness,” 355). Zafira is equally wary of and intrigued by him. The Shadow assures her that she’s not his captive, telling her that light and darkness simply exist to balance each other out. When he pulls her against him, Zafira notices with trepidation that he doesn’t have a heartbeat.

Nasir, who’s been searching for Zafira with the others, realizes he can’t feel her presence anymore. He suddenly remembers that his compass has always pointed toward the Hunter, and takes it out to track her.

The Shadow taunts Zafira about her feelings for Nasir, whom he calls her “lover” (359), and presumes the prince is on his way to find her. He also claims that Zafira is driven by her need to be loved, first by her father, then by her people, and now by the prince.