Lyra's POV
I straightened my spine and met his stare head-on. "Why?"
"Kaelen wanted someone to keep an eye on you." His voice carried a practiced smoothness, like he'd rehearsed these words. "He knows I stay up late anyway."
Complete bullshit. Every instinct I possessed screamed that he was lying through his teeth. Kaelen barely trusted Jaxson these days, certainly not enough to assign him as my babysitter. No, Jaxson had his own agenda here. He was hunting for something, and I'd somehow become his target.
I forced my muscles to relax and controlled my breathing. "I appreciate the concern, but I'm perfectly fine. Just doing some reading."
His gaze darted to the genealogy book sitting on the table. The movement was swift but purposeful, like he'd been waiting for the right moment to notice it. "Ah. Pack Obsidian."
Not a question. An observation designed to hang in the air between us, waiting for me to react. To explain. To give him something he could use.
