Lyra

Later that day, after Merron left my room, a sudden commotion erupted in the hallways and echoed down into the city. Curious, I peeked from behind the barrier guarding the balcony exit and spotted a throng of hooded figures in white cloaks, storming out of the building and sprinting for the exit. I had a sinking feeling about what was happening. Nothing about that man was ever subtle, but surely he wouldn’t storm the enemy headquarters head-on, would he?

“Lyra!” a familiar, angry voice rang out from the hallway before Merron burst into the room.

“My, my, you just left! Did you miss me that badly?” I teased, though it was clear Merron wasn’t in the mood for banter.

“You stupid, lying bitch!” he shouted, hands suddenly on my throat, shoving me against the wall.

“W-what’s the matter?” I barely uttered, his grip tightening around my neck, cutting off my air.

“You told me it was just you and that Merrian woman! So explain why there are three men and a bloody avian traveling along the northwestern bank of the Golden River!”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about...” I lied, fighting to keep my voice steady. “But if I’m not mistaken, your master told you not to lay a hand on me. So be an obedient puppy and get your greasy fingers off me...” He hesitated, but eventually, he let go, more out of fear of Lucius than any respect for me.

“It doesn’t matter; they’ll be dead soon enough.” He tried to regain his composure, placing a hand under his chin to appear more confident, but I could see the fear in his eyes.

“It’s not like I know them,” I replied nonchalantly, “but why would they die when they have an avian on their side?” I played the part of the clueless observer, though I desperately wanted more information.

“My dear, you don’t know the half of it,” he boasted, puffing up with pride. “Few can stand against Seraphis, even if they are an avian.”

“And who might this Seraphis be?”

“A dragon, my dear.”

Fuck, they might actually die. Stay calm, Lyra. Don’t show any emotion. Treat them like strangers and focus on your own survival, just as you always have. Valerian can take care of himself, and he won’t let Silas die. Finn is crafty; he’ll escape, and Orion is, well, Orion. There’s no need to worry when my life is just as much in danger as theirs is—though I might not have a dragon on my tail, I’m still in danger.

Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings.

“Did you come all this way just to accuse me of something I didn‘t know, or is there something else you need?” I asked, cutting through the tension in the air.

“You’re coming with me until Master Lucius returns,” he replied, roughly grabbing my cuffed arms and dragging me toward the door.

“But why? I was rather fond of this room,” I said, sarcasm dripping from my voice. “Will I be moving to a more luxurious suite?”

“I can’t risk leaving you alone with a rogue avian out there, possibly coming to your rescue. You’ll be sharing a room with me.”

“First of all, ew. Second, I thought you said not even an avian could stand against your dragon pet?”

“It’s just a precaution,” he explained, his voice betraying a hint of uncertainty. “We are unfamiliar with about this one, or what he’s capable of. Many avians fear the color of his wings. They claim he’ll bring the end of the world, though I think that’s just a scary story they tell their children before bed.” He paused, his gaze narrowing as he looked directly into my eyes. “Wait, why do you talk about avians so casually? Last I checked, they were a mere fable back home. And yet... you still wear the Bracelets of Binding, and while you claim you’re no longer a slave, you have a deep understanding of avians. It’s because you’ve seen them through that boy’s eyes, isn’t it? You may no longer be Lilith’s slave, but you are his!”

He seemed to marvel at his own deduction. “Oh, this is perfect! Master Lucius will be beyond pleased, and my life will be spared! Come, my dear!” He exclaimed cheerfully as he lowered the barrier on the door, pushing me into the hallway.

Should I even bother lying anymore? He saw right through me, and more lies might only put me in greater danger. Would it be smarter to play along, to comply with whatever they wanted? After all, other than Valerian, I barely know the others, and I don’t have any emotional connection to them. Would it be so wrong to sell them out for my safety? Who’s saying they wouldn’t do the same to me?

If Valerian was truthful when he said I’m free to do whatever I wish, even though I’m forever bound by blood to be his slave, then is it really a betrayal? There’s always been this fire burning within me, its warm embers whispering to keep fighting, because that’s all I’ve ever known—fight. When I lost everything, my only goal became to gain everything, even if it meant chaining myself to the fate of a slave. One day, I’ll have it all; that’s what I told myself when I returned cold and bruised as a child, and what I told myself after Lilith’s painful lessons. Endure and persevere, and it will pay off in the end; I’ve been through too much for it not to.

And then you came into my life, offering me freedom as if it were nothing, as if everything I had endured so far was meaningless. I know I should betray you—I’ve seen what Lucius did to you when you were just a child, and I don’t want that happening to me. I know I should betray you, but I can’t. Not now. You’ve given me so much and asked for nothing in return, and now you’re coming to my rescue, even when I’ve done nothing for you.

I’ll do this for you, Valerian. I’ll endure and persevere like I always have, but this time, I’ll do it for you. And maybe then I’ll finally be free.