LYRA POINT OF VIEW.

I stopped pretending after the meeting at the outskirts.

There was no need for masks anymore.

Aria had looked me in the eye and refused to bow.

If I couldn’t touch her directly, then I would rot the ground beneath her feet.

I sent for the first maid before dusk.

She came quickly, nervous, eyes downcast.

“You’ve worked in Shadowfang before,” I said, circling her slowly.

“Yes, my lady,” she replied. “In the kitchens but only briefly.”

“That’s ...