Lyra's POV
Muffled voices pierce through the suffocating blackness that has swallowed me whole. The sounds drift in and out like waves against a distant shore, fragmented words mixing with unintelligible shouts. My body feels disconnected from my mind as I struggle against whoever holds me. When I try to move my hands, they're gently but firmly placed back down.
Another surge of consciousness brings the voices into sharper focus, though my vision remains trapped in an endless void.
"You begged me to invite her so you could give her an unforgettable evening. Tell me this wasn't your sick idea of entertainment!"
Seraphina's voice cuts through the air like a blade, filled with a rage I've never heard from her before.
"I had no clue what he was planning!" Another voice responds.
The deeper tone rings familiar, though I can't place where I've heard it. "He only told me to make sure you brought her. Said it was crucial."
