Lyra stirred beneath the blanket, the heaviness in her chest gone for the first time in what felt like forever. Her lashes fluttered, and she lay still, waiting for the usual throb of pain to rise. It didn’t come. Her body felt… light. Strange.

She pushed herself upright, expecting her arms to tremble, expecting her head to pound, but nothing happened. She sat steady. She pressed her palm against her chest, half-afraid of what she’d feel, but her heartbeat was strong, steady, and without ...