Lyra's POV

I was no stranger to back-breaking work or keeping my mouth shut. And when you're a stranger at a new place, these come in handy.

“I'll be right on it, Ma’am,” I said, and clenched the rag with determination.

Things could be better, but still–Lunaris was my chance for a fresh start.

“I'd better just find a speck of dust lying around outside or else you'll pay for it,”

The rag that was already on the counter froze momentarily,

Outsider, huh? Already excluding ...