riosity. The woman at the grocery store had whispered something as she counted out the change, a snippet of conversation she wasn't supposed to hear. Nothing c

s, signs she didn't understand. It wasn't fear. Not really. More like a kind of respect mixed with silent dread. She should have left, ignored all of that. But the idea of a village, of a hidden pack

the market. A young brunette woman, full of energy, the type to speak too quickly, too loudly. Mari

ound here, are you?

d. She had continued to speak, without waiting for a res

like you. Most of them come for the scenery, or b

without seeming pushy, a way of smiling that made it impossible to completely push her away. And, against

he had said later, as if in confidence. A village a lit

llage? Lyra had a

d her shoulders,

you're interested

what she was doing. And despite her instincts, despite that little voice i

her senses alert. There was something in the air, a tension she couldn't explain. When they finally arrived, Lyra felt her breath catch for a

n the city. Here, it was different. They were sizing her up, assessing her, as if they

d with a smile. They're

at feeling only grew stronger when she noticed the markings on some of them. S

but warm, and for the first time in days, Lyra felt almost safe. M

at do yo

shr

... di

rst out

t's not so bad here. Well, if you kn

w? Lyra asked, unable

an enigma

rules. But you... you

a f

do yo

d, but her ga

it. You give off something. Som

she knew Maria was right. She had always attracted attention, even when she

the village, he had felt her presence. He was there, hidden in the shadows, following her every move. It

resence. And even though she didn't know who he was yet, a p