Chapter 109

Lyra froze for a moment. The words landed a second late, like her brain had to replay them to catch the meaning.

Alone.

With me.

Oh.

Awareness hit her all at once, sharp and uncomfortable. She became suddenly, painfully conscious of herself. Of the thin cotton nightshirt she was wearing. Of bare legs and bare arms in a room that was not hers. Of how quiet it was.

She shifted her weight without mea