Lyra's POV
The campus auditorium filled with students that afternoon, and I drifted in among the crowd like a ghost. After returning Alaric's robe to my dormitory, I had changed into a plain tracksuit and pulled the hood far over my face. The anonymity felt necessary after hearing countless students muttering curses about me during the walk across campus.
A sudden grip on my arm yanked me away from the flow of people and into the side vestibule. My heart jumped as I instinctively raised my hands in defense, but I found myself staring into Ash's intense, worried face.
The sight of him instantly calmed the racing pulse in my veins. Without thinking, I wrapped my arms around his neck and pressed myself against his solid chest. His strong hands traced along my spine as he held me close, then pulled back just enough to rest his forehead against mine.
