Lyra's heart was racing as Kael pulled her through the streets of the city. She had no idea where they were going or what was happening, but she knew she had to trust Kael.
As they walked, Lyra noticed that Kael seemed to be taking a very circuitous route. He dodged down alleys and side streets, always keeping a sharp eye out for something or someone.
"Who are we running from?" Lyra asked, her breath coming in ragged gasps.
Kael didn't answer. Instead, he pulled her into a narrow alleyway between two buildings. The air was thick with the smell of garbage and decay.
"Wait here," Kael said, his eyes scanning the rooftops and windows above them.
Lyra nodded, her heart still racing. She had no idea what was going on, but she knew she had to trust Kael.
As she waited, Lyra heard a strange noise. It sounded like footsteps, but they were light and stealthy, as if someone was trying not to be heard.
Kael's eyes snapped towards the sound, and he pulled Lyra deeper into the alleyway.
"What is it?" Lyra whispered.
Kael's face was grim. "We've been followed," he said.
Suddenly, a figure dropped down from the rooftops above them. Lyra gasped as the figure landed lightly on the ground, its eyes fixed intently on her.
"Who are you?" Lyra demanded, trying to keep her voice steady.
The figure didn't answer. Instead, it began to move towards her, its eyes burning with an unnatural hunger.
Kael stepped forward, his eyes flashing with anger. "Leave her alone," he growled.
The figure didn't stop. It kept moving towards Lyra, its eyes fixed on her.
And then, just as suddenly as it had started, everything went black.
Lyra felt herself falling, plummeting through a void of nothingness.
When she came to, she was lying in a strange bed, surrounded by unfamiliar walls.
Kael was sitting beside her, his eyes watching her with a fierce intensity.
"Where am I?" Lyra asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Kael's face was grim. "You're safe," he said. "For now."
Lyra's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean?" she asked.
Kael's eyes seemed to bore into her soul. "You're in danger, Lyra," he said. "Great danger."
And with that, everything went black again.