Safety First

**Lyra POV**

A heavy, calloused hand clamped over my mouth, suffocating the scream building in my throat. I thrashed against the suffocating darkness, the phantom scent of rich cedar, stale cigarettes, and cold gunpowder invading my lungs. Rough hands pinned my wrists down, and a dark shadow leaned over me, its eyes glowing with predatory malice.

I jolted upright, my chest heaving, a strangled