Lyra's POV
I pressed my lips together and glanced toward Poppy, hoping to strategize our next move. The moment I caught sight of her expression, my plans dissolved entirely. She stood frozen like a statue, her face drained of all color until her pale complexion nearly matched her platinum blonde hair. Her violet eyes stretched wide with what looked like pure shock.
My brow furrowed as I studied her reaction. What could possibly cause such a dramatic response? I followed her stunned gaze to the girl sitting alone at the corner table. Dark hair fell in waves around her shoulders, and I caught glimpses of silver piercings catching the library's fluorescent lighting. She appeared harmless enough, completely absorbed in whatever textbook lay open before her.
"Poppy," I whispered, leaning closer to my friend. "Just because someone has a few piercings doesn't make them dangerous."
