POV: Lyra

The tent was cold.

I sat across from Astrid with the map spread out between us and a cup of tea in my hands that I had not touched. The fire burned low in the corner and the shadows danced on the canvas walls and the only sound was the wind outside.

"Vampires," I said.

The word felt strange on my tongue.

Astrid nodded.

"Yes."

"They are real."

"They are real. And they have been hiding in the shadows for centuries, waiting for the right moment to strike."

I looked at the map.

"Where did they come from?"

She was quiet for a moment.

"No one knows for...