RYKER’S POV

Being cooped up in the study just made me angrier. I wanted to throw something, someone, especially Xavier. Angrily, I took a bottle of scotch from the bar and poured a glass. It burned but did nothing else.

Breathe, Ryker, just breathe. And that was what I did. I closed my eyes and practiced a few breathing techniques until Lyra’s face surfaced in my mind. As if by magic, I suddenly felt the tension in my bones wear off. More calmly, I walked over to the couch and slumped on ...