**Lyra's point of view
Kenny's innocent touch showed Kael a map of gray seeds that was like a ghostly overlay on his perception. It was a secret sickness that only we could see. It made everything different. The territory's triumphant rebirth was now overshadowed by a quiet, surgical campaign. We weren't just a family anymore; we were in charge of a war fought with tweezers and holy fire.
The first cleansing was a serious and holy event. Kael, Jake, Elara, and I all went to the cliff where the starling had landed. Kenny was with us, wrapped up in a carrier against my chest. His presence made me feel weak and vulnerable. As we got closer to the site, I could feel him move and his small body tense up. He let out a soft whimper, and his little hand, which had been peacefully holding my shir
