Jake had woken Lyra far too early, clearly ready for a repeat of the night before. She was all too happy to oblige.
After a long shower together, she went down to Donovan’s room to retrieve her bag and the books about Veriscents, filling Jake in on what she had learned along the way. He brought breakfast up for her in his office, and they ate together at his table as she read different parts of the book aloud to him.
Jake, for his part, listened intently. He didn’t appear upset at learning about what Mary had been or that Lyra also possessed these gifts. Instead, he seemed lost in thought as he listened to her.
At ten, they made their way to the meeting with the elders, joining Callan and Russ in the hallway before entering the meeting room. The elders were arranged much the same way th
