WILLOW.

Ugh.

What was I thinking?

Waiting till ten? I am not that patient!

Under normal circumstances, I would have flown off the edge and taken the girl myself.

Fortunately -or unfortunately- depending on the perspective, the ingredients I would need for the ritual are in my house.

The one where I had kept Lyra all these years.

Which is why, I am now trekking around the moist forest floor, heading there.

I wave away the weaved enchantment hiding my access and come into the clearing, only to stop dead in my tracks.

There are people here.

Wolves.

I guess that answers my question. Lyra is in the Varon pack....