Lyra's POV
The quiet between us stretched like a taut wire. Jaxson's gaze never wavered from mine, steady and patient in a way that made my pulse quicken. He was waiting. Giving me space to speak truths that could destroy everything.
I understood how this would sound. Like the desperate lies of someone already branded a deceiver. The wild accusations of a woman everyone saw as manipulative and untrustworthy. But Jaxson stood before me now. He was listening. He had seen the wrongness in Benedict too.
Maybe that understanding would be enough to carry my words.
"This will sound completely insane," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper.
"The most important truths usually do." His response was immediate, certain.
I glanced toward the training grounds beyond us. Sentinels moved through their drills, their voices creating enough background noise to mask our conversation. At least, I hoped they would. Paranoia still crept along my spine like ice water.
