Lyra's Pov

I almost laughed at that. Of course, I wanted to run. That was the whole point.

I stood up slowly from behind the log. He looked at me without surprise, like he had known all along

"You are Magnus," I said, I wanted to sound sure, not scared.

He nodded. "And you are Lyra. The one no one has caught."

"Not yet," I said.

He took one step closer. I took one step back.

"I saw you at the clearing," he said. "You looked like you were ready to fly."

"I was," I said.

"You still can," he said. "I will give you a head start again if...