Chapter 144 — Before Tomorrow

On the other side of the forest, Lyra sat alone inside her jail cell, her back resting against the cold stone wall.

Her thoughts had been running rampant lately.

Tomorrow would be her last day in this world. 1

No matter how many times she told herself she was prepared for it, no matter how much she tried to convince herself that she had accepted her fate, the truth remained.

She had experienced more suffering than most people could imagine. Her parents had been taken from her. She had spent years carrying anger that she barely understood herself.

But none of that changed the simplest truth.

She was afraid to die.

The unknown frightened everyone, no matter how strong they were or how much they pretended otherwise.

Lyra lowered her head and stared at her hands.

For the past two weeks, there hadn't been much else for her to do besides think.

But sometimes, she would focus on the Soul Bond.

She could feel him.

Their connection had stretched far beyond the distance where their shared abilities remained at full strength, but the bond itself had never disappeared.

It was faint.

So faint that Lyra sometimes had to sit completely still just to notice it.

Yet it was there.

And through it, she could feel pieces of Victor's emotions.

When his emotions became particularly intense, they seemed to ripple faintly through the bond.

Lately, Victor had been strangely energetic.

He seemed happy.

Whatever he was doing, he was enjoying himself.

A small smile appeared on Lyra's face.

She had spent so much of her life believing that humans were monsters.

The humans who had taken her parents certainly were.

The clan's history was filled with stories a human betraying them.

But Victor had forced her to question everything she believed.

It had taken her longer than she wanted to admit.

Some humans…

They grew on you.

Lyra let out a quiet laugh.

She never would have believed that she would one day sit inside a prison cell and smile because she could faintly feel the emotions of a human.

Then the sound of a door opening echoed through the jail.

Lyra's ears twitched.

Her smile disappeared.

She lifted her head.

For the past two weeks, there had really only been one person who had bothered visiting her.

Zuban.

She expected him to walk through the door again.

Perhaps he had come to remind her that tomorrow was her execution.

Lyra prepared herself.

But the person who stepped through the doorway was someone she never expected to see.

A young Shadow Fox entered the jail.

She was around twenty-two years old, with curly black hair framing her fox ears and a sword hanging at her side. Her eyes carried a warmth that was unusual for someone entering a prison.

Her name was Gabby.

Lyra knew her well.

Gabby had been one of her mother's students, and over the years, she had come to see Lyra as a little sister.

But what Lyra had done had been difficult for her to accept.

After everything their clan had been taught about humans, it had taken Gabby time to come to terms with it.

Yet she couldn't allow her to die without saying goodbye.

She knew she would regret it for the rest of her life.

Gabby walked deeper into the jail.

Then she saw Lyra.

Their eyes met.

Gabby's expression softened.

"I'm sorry I'm late, Lyra."

Lyra stared at her for a moment before a small smile appeared.

"Don't be."

She shifted slightly against the wall.

"I didn't expect you to come. Honestly, I didn't think you'd be able to."

Gabby walked toward the cell.

"No."

She stopped in front of the bars.

"After everything that happened with your parents and the humans, finding out that you had been spending time with a human… and actually becoming friends with one…"

She looked down for a moment.

"It was hard to accept."

Lyra lowered her gaze.

"But…"

Gabby smiled.

"You're still like my little sister."

Her voice softened.

"And no matter what happens tomorrow, I wanted you to know something."

She reached toward the bars.

"I love you." 1

Lyra's eyes immediately began to water.

Gabby noticed.

"Don't cry, Lyra."

Her own eyes started becoming wet.

"You're going to make me tear up too."

Lyra laughed through the tears.

"I can't help it."

Gabby smiled.

Then she stepped closer.

She reached both arms through the bars.

Lyra moved toward her.

Their arms wrapped around each other through the cell. 1

For a moment, neither of them said anything.

Lyra closed her eyes.

She hadn't realized how badly she needed this.

"Thank you for coming, Gabby."

Her voice was quiet.

She tightened her embrace.

"You helped calm me down."

Gabby slowly pulled away.

"No."

She wiped at the corner of her eye.

"I'm sorry it took me so long."

Silence settled between them.

Lyra eventually looked down.

Then she smiled.

"I don't regret becoming his friend."

Gabby's expression softened.

"Really?"

Lyra nodded.

"It's funny."

A quiet laugh escaped her.

"I hated him when I first met him."

"You hated him?"

"I actually tried to kill him."

Gabby burst out laughing.

"Really?"

Lyra nodded.

"Really."

She smiled at the memory.

"But things happened. We were forced to stay close to each other for a few days."

Her smile became more genuine.

"And during that time…"

She paused.

"I slowly went from hating him to appreciating his friendship."

Lyra looked toward the floor.

"I wouldn't take those days back for anything." 1

Gabby's smile faded slightly.

"Even if it means…"

Lyra nodded.

"Even if it means I die tomorrow."

Gabby stared at her.

There was something different in Lyra's eyes.

Somehow, after everything she had endured, Lyra had found peace with the decision she had made.

Gabby didn't know whether that made her feel better or worse.

She reached through the bars again and placed her hand against Lyra's shoulder.

"I'm still going to try."

Lyra looked up.

"Try what?"

"I'll plead with the Patriarch one more time."

Gabby's expression became serious.

"Maybe there's another option."

Lyra remained silent.

"We could banish you instead."

Gabby shook her head.

"I don't see why they have to kill you."

Lyra's ears lowered.

"Gabby…"

"I know."

Gabby cut her off.

"You don't want me putting my neck out for you."

Lyra nodded.

"I don't."

Gabby smiled.

"I don't care."

Lyra stared at her.

"You're my little sister."

Gabby reached through the bars one last time.

"And I'm not going to sit around and watch you die without trying to do something."

Lyra's eyes watered again.

Gabby hugged her.

This time, Lyra hugged her back without saying anything.

After several seconds, Gabby finally separated.

"I'll see you tomorrow."

Lyra nodded.

"Hopefully…"

Gabby smiled.

"Hopefully we can make something happen."

She turned and walked toward the door.

Lyra watched her leave.

The door slowly closed behind her.

Silence returned to the jail.

Lyra remained still for a while.

Then she slowly sat back against the wall.

Her eyes drifted toward the direction where she could faintly feel Victor.

A faint smile appeared on her lips.

She lowered her head.

Lyra slowly closed her eyes.

Tomorrow would come soon.