Chapter 108

Lyra’s POV

It’s been more than a week since I began my investigation, and just as I feared, it hasn’t been easy. Julian flatly refused to let me leave the house on the pretext that Alistair might abduct me if I ventured out alone. I understand his concern, since Alistair’s name is tied to danger in the records I’ve uncovered, but his overprotectiveness is stifling. After all, Julian is the one who saved me. Who am I to argue? Yet I can’t shake the feeling that something still isn’t right.

I sigh and stretch out on the edge of the mattress. There’s nothing I can do or say—Julian insists it’s safer if I stay at home. My eyes wander to the dusty windowpanes. Outside, the sky is almost bright with morning light, but inside these walls I feel trapped. I push myself up off the bed and decide a brief walk around the house might clear my head. As I stand, the bedroom door clicks open, and Julian steps in.

“Good morning, love,” he says, closing the distance between u