Ten Minutes to Truth

There was a beat. Then—

“Mom? Is Lyra there?” Kira asked, urgency slipping through despite herself. “Is she okay? I can’t get a hold of her. Her phone’s off. I’ve been calling all day.”

Elise answered calmly, almost amused. “Calm down. Yes, Lyra is here. And she’s perfectly fine.”

Across the table, Lyra stiffened.

Her heart sank as realization hit.

She slipped a hand into her pocket and pulled