Lyra's POV
There was no mistaking his scent. It filled the air thick and strong, like cold steel, pine, and a hint of smoke.
He was close.
Very close.
I stood up slowly, brushing my palms on my pants. “He’s here.”
Kira looked around. “Where’s Keto?”
“He stayed back to pick Orion when he arrives,” I said, not taking my eyes off the trees.
“Hope he had enough time to explain everything before Orion reached him,” Kate muttered.
My heart was beating a little faster now. Not because I feared Orion, well, maybe a little. But it wasn’t just fear. It was something else. Something deeper I didn’t want to name.
Heavy footsteps approached from the woods. The branches shifted. And then I saw him.
Orion stepped out like he’d always been there, like the forest made space just for him.
Black s
