Lyra's POV
"Be careful what you wish for,” Kira said. “Learn from Ravenna. She’s in a pit so deep, she’s never getting out.”
I didn’t respond. I just turned back to brushing my teeth, pretending her words didn’t rattle something inside me. But they did.
After a moment, I turned to Kate and asked, “Do you smoke?”
She looked surprised. “I used to. Why?”
I nodded slowly and smiled. “You should stop.”
Then I winked at her.
She laughed, finally catching on. “Tease,” she said with a grin.
I smiled, rinsed my mouth in the river, and then focused on the cold feeling. Her words stirred up longer than I cared for.
I kept glancing around to make sure there were no unwelcome eyes present.
The hush of the river seemed too nice to be disturbed by unwanted company.
The thought of being alo
