Lyra's POV
That Thursday morning started like any other, but by the end of it, my world would be shattered beyond recognition. I had no way of knowing as I walked across campus that everything was about to collapse around me.
Things were already complicated enough without what was coming.
Poppy and I grabbed a quick breakfast with Ash in the dining hall. The conversation flowed easily between us, but something felt wrong. A persistent unease crawled up my spine like ice water, making every muscle in my body tense.
Ash noticed immediately. His warm hand found my back, rubbing gentle circles between my shoulder blades. "Hey, you're okay," he murmured close to my ear. "Whatever's bothering you, it'll pass."
For a moment, his touch worked its magic. The anxiety faded, and I could breathe again. But the relief was short-lived.
The moment I stepped into our Alchemy lecture hall, that terrible feeling crashed back over me with twice the intensity.
