still haunted Lyra. She couldn't shake the feeling that she was being watched,

er window. It was a woman, cloaked in darkness, her face hidden from

. The Butcher has sworn revenge, and

of a secret society that opposed the gladiatorial games. They were dedicated to prote

me," the woman offered, "b

er home, was a terrifying prospect. But fear was outweighed b

streets of Rome. They reached the city walls just as the first rays of dawn were breaking. With a final

the woman whispered. "Rem

chest, turned and walked towards the