LYRA

We were summoned to the Moon Court before dawn, dragged from our chambers by servants who looked as terrified as we felt and herded through corridors that seemed darker than usual despite the torches burning every few feet. No one spoke during the walk, we just moved in a tight cluster like prey animals trying to find safety in numbers even though we all knew there was no safety anywhere in this cursed castle.

The Moon Court was already filled with guards when we arrived, more than I had ...