a's
rough the sky at night. Merida could see its cold light. Like a
ep growl pierced the s
e shudder. That voice seemed familiar to me. I knew the
me. Not when my heart was already in a tangle of opposing feelings.
, "You can't run from me forever." His gaze fierce, as if he could see straigh
want? I said, my voice revealing nothing. You have alrea
n't retreat. There is nothing to r
in I wanted to take. Though I tried to ignore it, my heart raced. I cou
eyebrow. What is your side o
smoke-filling the space. You must be a part of it, Lyra. Your streng
the force within me flare. Though I remained
just enough to shatter the spell he was building
y a female, right? You believe you can leave behind all your parents batt
sent a shiver down me. Kieran The creatures they
lty. Not at this time. Not when it seemed lik
to remain in control and concealed. "You don
rly like a smile. "I don't have to decide, Lyra. You're already too
man I once trusted and the perilous stranger who stood
hen, pulling me from my musings. I spun around quickl
oke with urgency. Kael-he's no
and his eyes narrowed. Damien, and you? He almo
lve. I'm not faking, Kael. I know what you can do. Your willingness to act to obtain what you desire
sense of betrayal soon calmed it. Once the man who appeared to care fo
I snapped, my voice cutting. Real
ietly. I know enough to recognize the reality, Lyra. Kael doesn't give a
igid edge. Damien, you have no clue what you're s
ien asked. What about what
sing ways. Kael, with his promises of power, and Damien
in front of me was crushin
n was someone I wanted to believe. I wished to. But even if it came at a high cost,
rs were breaking. Then the ground under us trembled as thoug
eart raced in my ch
ing on... His voice was almost inaudible, as though speakin
on? Panic growing i
my arm and dragged me away from Damien
hold. What
s breath, more to himself than to me.
ng in thought. The Great Silence would deplete the werewol
nage it. I believed I could employ it to kill Kieran. But I was mistaken
omach drop. We have to stop it then! I
age hardening once again. You don't get it, Lyra. The Emerald is the
der coursing down my b
oke the air, followed by the unmistakable sound of appr