Lyra
The air in the café felt thick, like every word between us carried weight.
Luca leaned back in his chair, studying me the way a wolf sizes up a stranger on his territory. He was alert, calculating, not unfriendly, but not trusting yet either. Finally, he gave a single, deliberate nod.
“Alright,” he said. “I’ll help you.”
Relief loosened the tight knot in my chest, but I kept my face neutral. Two lifetimes had made me learn the hard way not to show too much too soon.
“Thank you,” I said simply.
“But…” he held up a hand “...if I’m sticking my neck out, I need the whole picture. Everything you know.”
Fair enough. I set my coffee down and leaned forward, lowering my voice so only he could hear.
“Damon and Selene aren’t just here to spread rumors about me. That’s part of it, but i
