Lyra's POV
I flinched at his words, but said nothing. I couldn't. I wasn’t sure how to respond anymore. It was all a lie, all a game, and I was just a pawn caught in it. My mind was too clouded with fear, too heavy with doubt.
The guards exchanged a glance before the second one spoke again. "We’ll leave you to get settled. Don’t try anything funny." His smile was dark, devoid of warmth, like he was looking forward to whatever came next.
With a final, lingering look at me, the guards exited, leaving the door ajar. The heavy silence descended upon me once again.
I hadn’t even realized how tightly I had been holding my breath until the air felt somewhat clearer, though no less oppressive. My heart still thudded painfully in my chest, my senses on high alert.
But I wasn’t alone for long.
