Chapter 36: THREE SNAKES IN ONE HOLE The cave smelled like rot and cold iron. Water dripped from the ceiling in a steady rhythm that made Lyra's jaw ache, each drop, each drop a small hammer striking the same nerve over and over. She had been standing on the only dry rock for twenty minutes, arms crossed, watching the tunnel entrances like a hawk watches for snakes. Darian emerged first dripping wet from the rain outside. He didn't announce himself nor did he speak, he just leaned against the far wall, arms folded, eyes fixed on her with that particular gaze he'd perfected over years of being a betrayer."You are late," she said."You're just Early," he replied. " There's a difference." Before she could answer, footsteps echoed from the second tunnel. Ethan stepped into the room, cloak soaked through, his hair plastered to his forehead. He grinned, the kind of grin which infuriated Lyra, she wanted so bad to break his teeth and make him swallow it."I'm fashionably late," Ethan
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