Mira’s POV.

I found Lyra at the memorial garden at dawn, standing over eighteen new stones, and I knew before she spoke that she was leaving “Talk?" "Of course." We walked to the cedar trShe carried a small pack, already prepared.

My stomach dropped. "I'm leaving," she said simply. "Tonight. After the memorial service."

"Why?"

"Yesterday, during the battle, I killed three hunters. Close range, necessary kills."

"I know. You saved lives."

"And I felt powerful. For those moments, I felt like ...