Chapter 28 · The Signature Dated Tomorrow

"Get out of her head." Lyra drove the contract knife into the stone beside Mira's hand. "Now."

Mira jerked against the floor. Her fingers clawed at the dust, but the voice coming from her mouth stayed calm. It was soft. Familiar.

"You always were quick with a blade, little moon."

Lyra's grip locked around the knife.

Her mother's voice.

Not a memory. Not a trick of bad acoustics. The exact lazy bite on little moon. The same voice that used to hum while hiding bloodstains under the kitchen sink. The same voice Lyra had heard in her head for twelve years after the Court announced her death.

Caelan stepped between Lyra and Mira, one hand pressed to the torn side beneath his coat. Blood slipped between his fingers.

"Don't answer it," he said.

"Move."

"No."

"That wasn't a request."

His eyes flashed silver. The curse had gotten closer to the surface again. His shoulders tightened, and his breath came rough through his teeth. Still, he planted himself in front of Mira like the wound in his side was nothing.

"You think I can't see what that thing is doing?" he asked. "It wants you close."

"It used my mother's voice."