Jade Fern Grove the source of terror

Hydra's warning coaxed a small, almost malicious laugh from Lyra. Woe be to any who thought their sister — or any of them — were an easy target. The boy seemed harmless enough, though, and like he genuinely just wanted to help and make friends. He was bright, young, and eager — it wasn't likely he'd live long here.

Lyra remained silent as the lead head spoke, giving him directions that were wisely in the exact opposite direction to where they were heading. They had had an initial destination, Easthollow, but who knows if Alya had chosen a different path, or her presumed wound had somehow redirected her course. She appraised the whiskered boy with a slight tilt of her head, wondering how he would fair with the task.

Her hopes for him were not high, but she was open to being pleasantly surprised.