CHAPTER 1: THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

The other children screamed when Lyra Thorne walked into the schoolhouse.

Not because of her violet eyes (Mother had given her special drops to make them brown). Not because of the willow-sap scent clinging to her pinafore (Father said townfolk were nose-blind to magic).

But because of what followed her.

Little Tommy Higgins pointed first. "Miss! Miss! Lyra brought a dog!"

The schoolteacher turned—and dropped her chalk.

Lyra smiled sweetly as the root-bound thing that had once been the schoolyard stray loped past her, its body more vine than flesh, its wagging tail scattering rotten petals across the floorboards.

"Her name is Daisy," Lyra announced, scratching behind what remained of the dog's ears. "Father says pets help children adapt."

At the back of the room, the mayor's son vomited into his slate.

Lyra's smile widened.