Chapter 10 – A Trap Set in Plain Sight
1292 Words
Chapter 10 – A Trap Set in Plain Sight
The whispers didn’t stop.
They spread.
Faster than Lyra expected.
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By morning, the entire lower halls seemed to know her name.
Not because she mattered.
But because something about her… didn’t make sense.
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“That’s her.”
“The servant girl.”
“She looks fine.”
“Didn’t she disappear yesterday?”
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Lyra kept her head down as she moved through the corridor, carrying a basket of linens.
Her steps were steady.
Careful.
Controlled.
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But inside—
Her thoughts were anything but calm.
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They’re watching me.
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Every glance felt heavier.
Every whisper sharper.
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And worst of all—
She knew why.
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“…Don’t react.”
She whispered it to herself.
“…Just act normal…”
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But nothing was normal anymore.
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Not after the dungeon.
Not after the healing.
Not after that purple stone.
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Her fingers tightened around the basket.
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That thing…
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She could still feel it.
Even just thinking about it made her chest tighten slightly.
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Weakness.
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She hated that word.
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But it was real.
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And now—
Someone else knew it too.
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“Lyra.”
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She froze.
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The voice was soft.
Elegant.
Too calm.
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Lyra turned slowly.
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The same girl stood a few steps away.
Perfect posture.
Perfect smile.
Perfect control.
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The one with the purple stone.
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“…Yes?”
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The girl’s lips curved slightly.
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“…You’ve been requested.”
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Lyra’s brows furrowed.
“…Requested?”
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“…For assistance.”
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Something felt wrong.
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Very wrong.
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“…By who?”
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The girl stepped closer.
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Too close.
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“…Does it matter?”
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Lyra’s instincts screamed.
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Don’t go.
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But her position—
Didn’t allow refusal.
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“…No…”
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“Good.”
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The girl turned.
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“…Follow me.”
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Lyra hesitated for half a second.
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Then—
She followed.
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The upper halls.
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Lyra rarely came here.
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Everything was different.
Brighter.
Warmer.
More alive.
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But today—
It felt like a stage.
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And she was being led to the center of it.
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The large training hall stood ahead.
Doors open.
Voices inside.
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Laughter.
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Lyra’s steps slowed.
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“…Why am I here?”
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The girl glanced back.
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“…To help.”
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Lie.
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Lyra felt it.
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But it was too late.
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The moment she stepped inside—
The room went quiet.
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Dozens of eyes turned toward her.
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Students.
Nobles.
Elites.
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Watching.
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Waiting.
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Lyra’s chest tightened.
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“…What is this…?”
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“Ah, she’s here.”
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A voice called out.
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A boy stepped forward.
Confident.
Smiling.
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“…Perfect timing.”
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Lyra didn’t recognize him.
But she didn’t need to.
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The way he looked at her—
Said everything.
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“…What do you want?” she asked quietly.
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The boy chuckled.
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“…A demonstration.”
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Her heart dropped.
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“…I’m not a student—”
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“Exactly.”
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The room filled with quiet laughter.
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“…Which makes this more interesting.”
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Lyra took a step back.
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“No.”
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The word slipped out.
Soft.
But firm.
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Silence.
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Then—
The girl from earlier stepped forward again.
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“…Don’t be difficult.”
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Her sleeve shifted slightly.
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A faint purple glow flickered.
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Lyra’s body reacted instantly.
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Her breath hitched.
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No—
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The pressure hit her.
Hard.
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Her legs weakened.
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“…what are you doing…”
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The girl smiled.
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“…Helping.”
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Lie.
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The boy raised his hand.
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Magic gathered.
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“…Let’s see what happens when a servant takes a hit.”
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Lyra’s heart slammed.
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“I said stop—”
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Too late.
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The spell launched.
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Fast.
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Direct.
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Lyra tried to move.
But her body—
It was too heavy.
Too weak.
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The purple glow intensified.
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Her vision blurred.
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She couldn’t breathe.
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The magic was coming—
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Too fast—
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Too close—
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Then—
It stopped.
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Right in front of her.
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Shattered.
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Gone.
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Silence fell.
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Heavy.
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Everyone froze.
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Lyra blinked.
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“…what…?”
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A figure stood in front of her.
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Tall.
Still.
Unmoving.
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Kael.
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His hand was raised slightly.
Effortless.
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As if stopping that attack meant nothing.
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His gaze swept the room.
Cold.
Sharp.
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“…What is this?”
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No one answered.
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No one dared.
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The boy who attacked her stiffened.
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“…We were just—”
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“…You attacked a non-combatant.”
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Kael’s voice cut him off.
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Flat.
Controlled.
Dangerous.
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The room felt heavier instantly.
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“…Explain.”
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The boy swallowed.
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“…She agreed—”
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“No.”
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Lyra’s voice broke through.
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Weak.
Shaking.
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But clear.
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“…I didn’t…”
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Silence.
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Kael’s gaze flicked to her.
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Then back to the boy.
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“…You lied.”
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The temperature dropped.
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“…I suggest you reconsider your next action.”
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A warning.
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Clear.
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Absolute.
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The boy stepped back.
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“…Understood…”
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Kael lowered his hand.
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The tension didn’t disappear.
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It stayed.
Lingering.
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Lyra’s legs gave out.
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The pressure from the purple stone hadn’t stopped.
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Her body couldn’t take it anymore.
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She fell forward—
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But didn’t hit the ground.
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Kael caught her.
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Again.
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His arm was steady around her.
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“…You’re weak.”
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Lyra flinched slightly.
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“…I know…”
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Her voice was barely there.
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Kael’s gaze shifted.
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To the girl.
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To the faint purple glow.
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His eyes narrowed.
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“…What is that?”
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The girl smiled.
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“…A gift.”
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Lie.
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Kael didn’t respond.
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But something in his expression changed.
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Slightly.
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He had noticed.
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Without another word—
He lifted Lyra.
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Effortlessly.
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Her breath hitched.
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“…what are you doing…”
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“…Leaving.”
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No hesitation.
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No permission asked.
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He walked out.
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Carrying her.
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In front of everyone.
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Silence followed them.
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Heavy.
Shocked.
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And then—
Whispers exploded.
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“…He carried her…”
“…Kael Draven…”
“…For a servant…?”
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The girl’s smile faded.
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Her fingers tightened slightly.
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“…So it’s true…”
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Her gaze darkened.
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“…She’s a problem.”
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Outside—
The cold air hit Lyra’s face.
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Her breathing was still uneven.
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“…that thing…”
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Kael didn’t stop walking.
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“…What was it?”
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Lyra swallowed.
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“…I don’t know…”
A pause.
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“…But it weakens me…”
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Silence.
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Kael’s grip tightened slightly.
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“…Of course it does.”
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Lyra blinked.
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“…What?”
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“…Nothing is that powerful without a weakness.”
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Her chest tightened.
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That meant—
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Others could use it.
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Against her.
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Again.
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Kael’s gaze shifted forward.
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Sharp.
Focused.
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“…Then we remove it.”
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Lyra’s breath caught.
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“…We?”
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No answer.
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But this time—
He didn’t let go.
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