Lady of Shadows

The Lady of Shadows is character mentioned in Every Heart a Doorway who appears as the Lady of the Dead in Beneath the Sugar Sky.

Appearance
The Lady of Shadows is short and curvy, with brown skin and waist-length, curly black hair. Her eyes are pomegranate-red, and she wears a Grecian-style gown in the same color.

Every Heart a Doorway
Anyone who serves the Lady of Shadows as a Statue is required to hold properly still. She is first mentioned when Nancy is reflecting on her time serving as a statue, saying that the Lady had called her beautiful, as she was a mortal girl who felt no need to be quick, hot or restless.

She apparently is one of the few people in the Halls of the Dead allowed to wear colors, along with her entourage; standing out in the Halls is for people who had earned it.

Beneath the Sugar Sky
When Kade, Christopher, Rini, Nadya and Cora arrive at the Halls of the Dead, the Lady of Shadows meets them, demanding to know how they entered her world. Kade explains that Rini is disappearing, and they've come to ask Nancy for help resurrecting Sumi. Upon hearing that they are friends of Nancy, the Lady softens, and she also touches Nadya by telling her that their world borders a lot of Drowned Worlds, including Belyyreka. The Lady gives the group conditions, saying they must not eat or drink anything, nor talk to anyone but her, Nancy, and the Lord of the Dead.

After taking them through a hall of statues, the Lady takes the travelers to the Throne Room, where Nancy works as a statue. The Lady gives Nancy permission to move, and Nancy greets her friends. When they ask for help to find Sumi's soul, Nancy looks to the Lady for permission before agreeing. They then go to the room of souls, where Christopher summons Sumi's ghost; however, they will have to find her heart elsewhere. The Lord of the Dead then arrives, telling the group that they will have to trade one of their souls for Sumi's. Nadya agrees to stay, and the travelers leave.

Nancy Whitman
The Lady of Shadows was very impressed by how well Nancy became a statue, saying that she was beautiful. She never let Nancy feel broken, and her and her husband were the ones to make the Halls Nancy's home. She also appears to care for Nancy, as she softens to the travelers once she realizes they know her.

Lord of the Dead
The Lady of Shadows and the Lord of the Dead are apparently in love, as Nancy describes their love as warming the palace.

Trivia

 * The Lady of the Shadows is based off Persephone in Greek mythology.