Lyra's mind buzzed with tension. The night's earlier intimacy with Kael felt like a distant memory now, as if it had slipped through her fingers before she could truly grasp it. She wasn't sure where things stood between them anymore, and Ariadne's piercing words only made it worse.
He'll use you.
The words echoed in her mind, gnawing at her insides. She shook her head, forcing herself to focus. She couldn't afford to let doubt cloud her thoughts—not now. Not with Marcus lurking out there, regrouping his forces.
The door creaked open, snapping her back to the present. Kael strode into the room, his face shadowed with the weight of what lay ahead. His normally sharp gaze seemed distant, as if he too was lost in thought. Lyra watched him closely, searching for any sign of deception, but there was none.
"We need to move," Kael said curtly, his voice hard with resolve. "Marcus won't wait long before making another move."
