Ryan

I stumbled into my home, exhaustion weighing heavy on my shoulders. The day had been a whirlwind of meetings, negotiations, and constant worry for Lyra's safety. After a long hot shower that did nothing to revive me, I collapsed into my bed, rubbing my temples.

As I closed my eyes, hoping for a moment's respite, a memory, long forgotten from my childhood surfaced, as it were pulled from the night sky and placed in my brain.

I was three years old, clinging to ...