Chapter 25

Caleb had been returned after his harrowing fall into the icy river, shivering and pale, but alive. In the hospital lobby, Damon stood stiffly, his jaw tight, eyes flicking nervously between the boy and Lyra. “Damon, don’t worry,” Lyra said, her voice soft, almost coaxing. “I’ll take care of him. I studied medicine.” Her hands trembled slightly as she swept Caleb into her arms, the boy clinging to her like a frightened animal. Damon gave a curt nod, relief flashing briefly in his eyes before he turned away, leaving her to lead the way. But as soon as Lyra crossed the threshold of the nursery, something in her shifted. With a force that seemed too harsh for someone who had just spoken in such tender tones, she practically threw Caleb into the nurse’s arms. “Look at him! Really look!” she snapped, her voice sharp enough to cut through the tense silence. The nurse recoiled slightly, taken aback. Lyra’s gentle demeanor outside had vanished entirely. Her eyes, darkened with something almost