Lyra's POV
I tried to keep my expression blank. Calm. Disinterested.
Kate leaned closer again. “You okay? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
I blinked. “No. I’m fine. Just tired.”
But my heart was hammering. Loud. Violent.
Why was she here?
Was this some kind of message?
Had Orion invited her?
Or had she come on her own, like some shadow following me through every turn?
The whispers of the elders grew faint in my ears. Ruth had stopped speaking. Someone else had taken over.
But I wasn’t listening anymore.
All I could see was the witch.
The one who let me live.
The one who claimed not to want anything.
Yet here she was… watching me like I owed her something.
Like this wasn’t over.
Then a priest took over, and for the next few minutes, his voice rang in the background as he
