Lyra tossed the severed hand into the fireplace, where it was quickly consumed by the flames.
Chloe's mother and brother clung to each other, trembling, their faces drained of all color. The entire room was filled with an oppressive fear.
"Monsters! How could you do this?!" Chloe's voice trembled, her body shaking uncontrollably.
Morrison, standing nearby, looked torn. He gently took Chloe's cold hand, trying to soothe her. "My dear, just give her what she wants. If you don't, Donna and Cody will die."
Tears welled in Chloe's sapphire eyes as she tried to pull her hand away from him.
"Why should I trust you?" she cried. Her father was already dead, and despite all her efforts to hide with her family, Lyra had found them in the end.
After what her father had done to Lyra all those years ago, she knew that forgiveness was impossible.
