Lyra's angry voice broke the quiet of the forest. "You're telling me that our fluffy little Blaky—" she gestured at the cat, who lazily flicked it's tail—"is what saved me? How?!"
Ronan leaned back, his tone as calm as ever. "Blaky's the reason you're alive, Reddy. Without him, you'd be six feet under."
Blondie smirked, crossing his arms. "Translation: Ronan tried to kill you, but Blaky said 'not today.'"
Lyra stared at him with wide eyes. "You what?!"
Ronan held her look without wavering. "It was mercy. You were becoming one of them. I wasn't going to watch you suffer."
Lyra gulped hard in her chest. Her fists remained clenched as she absorbed what he'd just said, and then slowly unclenched them and exhaled shakily. "I don't like it, but I understand. If you thought you were saving me, I do too.
Celeste snorted, crossing her arms tightly. "Oh, sure, let's all just agree it's fine for Ronan to play executioner."
