LYRA

News spread through the castle faster than fire through dry grass, by the time I emerged from my chamber the morning after the confrontation in Kael's study everyone knew what I had confessed in the Trial of Origin. The whispers started the moment I entered the common room for breakfast, voices dropping to urgent mutters behind hands that didn't quite conceal the pointing and staring.

Most contestants avoided me entirely, pressing themselves against walls when I walked past like I might ...