Lyra's POV
The clock struck midnight as I slipped back into my dorm room, keeping my movements quiet and deliberate. My efforts proved pointless when I noticed Poppy's empty bed staring back at me. A frown creased my forehead as I flicked the light switch, bathing the small space in harsh fluorescent brightness.
My coat hit the chair with a soft thud before I collapsed onto my mattress. Training had left my skin damp with perspiration, but my mind felt submerged in murky water. Alaric's revelations swirled through my thoughts alongside Xander's unexpected attempt at civility, creating chaos in my skull.
