s in the doorway. Kensington Creed. My father just gave me the m

e's nightmare or dream, and he's tall-almost too tall. He looks much more powerful because his dark outfit fits him w

my ears, my mind racing. There is a long, uncomfortable silence

g, "Lyra." Kensington Creed is this.

s something unreadable and icy about his look, even though his lips don't quite

composed, my voice trembles a li

yes are icy and devoid of warmth. Despite my desir

n a low, even growling voice,

lexed. "What

etreat a little. His eyes narrow as he examines me with a level of intensi

roper word, before continuing, "I though

ng of that?" Before I can s

is face unreadable. The corner of his

o be so... spirited," but there's a certain

cisive, but my father's voice breaks the

ss is the reason we are here. Pleas

ext to the desk and take a seat, gripping the edge of the chair with my fingers. Kensington takes the seat across from me

my father adds, "I assume you know why we're here." Th

ington interrupts in a firm t

never imagined that his eyes could be so frigid. He acts as though I'

lities?" "We should get right to the subject. Although I'm he

h as his hands shake and then he makes them remain motionle

eturn since I've heard enough stories about him. I take another look at him, but I can't read his face. The man I pictured is nowhere to be se

tone. "I'll settle your loans. I'll go over every

. I have to ask even

Even if the words seem to be ma

ed on me as he leans forward

ir. I blink, processing them in my thoughts.

but relieved tone. That's what we d

o consistently assured me that my happiness came first and who always protected me. His eyes a

ck to me. He looks at me like I'm a riddle he's t

t borders on insulting. "What's wrong? I

. I'd rather not be here. I do not wish to participate in this transaction. However, I kno

ice above a whisper, "I didn't

a tilt of his head. "So, how

egotiating chip for him. Instead, I feel like I'm regressing,

off. "I assumed that you may be different. How

ything. However, he leans forward as I'm about to say something else. I'm start

I'm not like everyone else." And you're not either. T

is feet, sending a shiver down my spine

oice." But hurry up. The offe

or words. I have no idea what to do. I can only watch as his

his eyes blazing into mi

replies, "Think carefully, Lyra." "Eve

leaving me by myself with my he