Lyra's POV
The color drained from Ash's face like water from a broken dam. His golden eyes locked onto mine with an intensity that made my breath catch. "Four?" The word escaped his lips as though he'd never heard it before.
I managed a small nod. He sank back against his desk chair, staring at the wooden floor beneath his feet. The number rolled off his tongue again, slower this time, as if testing its weight in the air.
Then understanding hit him like lightning. His eyes went wide as dinner plates, snapping back to meet mine with sudden clarity.
"Killian. Me. Thornevale and Xander."
My lips curved into what I hoped resembled a smile, though it felt more like a grimace. "Surprise?"
"Christ almighty," Ash muttered under his breath, pushing himself to his feet. He began wearing a path across his dorm room floor, his movements sharp and agitated. His palm pressed against his forehead, fingers digging into his temples like he could physically force the information to make sense.
