night, but Lyra didn't mov

e of the Moon pulsing to a rhythm that

times trying to

rough her veins li

as though drawn to her. Every stone shimmered with a thin film of silver lig

ured. "Why let me r

mark flared again, and with it ca

eld of bro

ding over he

ver as he whispered,

e memory faded, leaving behind the sa

ispered. "I remember

mouth, another part of her whis

pools of rain. Beyond the temple, the mountains stretched into shadows. Somewhere in the

d that c

d that co

air made her freeze.

ng was

tering as a creature lunged through. Its body was smoke and bone, eyes

nd a wave of energy burst from her fingertips, slicing through the creature's ch

, panting. "They'v

nd the broken pillars. "An

f he'd been waiting for her to prove herself. His c

"Following me already? Or did your Goddess

n't know

ia

er to feel the heat of his power. "If I were l

despite herself. "Th

aith. "That thing was sent to test your strength. The Godd

to a bitter smile. "A

e said, meeting her eyes. "Which

yra wanted to turn away, to erase the strange awareness crawlin

she said. "You should have fini

tri

t - but they carrie

"What do you m

ice low. "Do you remember

r body tensed. "I

er what happen

ractured - like shattered glass in her mind. The fire.

ed to die that night. The Goddess tricked us both. I

isted. "And you

e said simply. "Obedi

oice almost made

w?" she

"I don't know wh

guarded in his eyes - the same lonelines

ched. Rain drumme

you think you deserve, you won't find it

d just slightly. "That's w

fr

send her High Priest soon. He'll burn this mount

ed her fist

istract

you risk th

back. "Because

ished - dissolving into shadow

mbling, heart burning with a dozen

- twice - then steadied, as if echoing the r

pty night. "You may have remembered me.

e cracks like laughter. Far above, the moon flickered