Lyra Pov.
Chapter 1.
I sat on the edge of the pool, my feet dangling in the cool water, trying to relax under the hot afternoon sun.
My name is Lyra, twenty-two years old, and I had come home for the weekend from college, the family pool in our backyard was the perfect spot to unwind, especially since our parents had invited us for a barbecue.
My stepbrother Ethan, twenty-four, lounged on a float nearby, his muscular body stretched out, sunglasses hiding his eyes.
He had that usual arrogant smirk on his face, like he owned the place, even though he still lived at home and barely helped around the house.
Our parents, Mom and her husband Dad, Ethan's real father, sat at the patio table a few feet away, sipping drinks and chatting about work.
"Lyra, honey, how's school going? You k
