Theo had wronged her in a way she couldn't fully comprehend, but even after what the servant boy had put her through, Lyra couldn't help but worry about his safety. He had been her only ally within the walls of the Geslack manor, and while she wasn't sure she could ever trust him again, something in the pit of her stomach told her Theo had a kind heart. If he didn't, he never would have offered to risk his life to help her escape. Perhaps Engel had merely corrupted the boy with his poisonous tendrils, hadn't he done the same to her - coaxing a pleasant fire in the depths of her belly when every fiber of  her being protested the shameful lancing.<br/><br/>Engel was good at manipulating people, she and Theo were merely unfortunate enough to fall into his hands.<br/><br/>"No," her voice was weak, but speaking about the servant boy in that manner had stirred up the ice in Lyra's tone. She tried to ignore the feeling of his fingers on her flesh, of the stickiness and heat he'd spilled onto her skin. "Just... leave him alone." Why did she care about his fate? Maybe because, underneath the fear, she believed they could be friends. That Theo was capable of good even though the recent events told her otherwise. "I'm not going to be planning with him anymore, Engel... I promise. Just let him be and I'll leave him alone too." She'd gripped his hands then, the strength returning to her own fingers as she tried to keep him away from her bareness.<br/><br/>He'd insulted her then, reminded her that she could have used her powers against him but didn't.<br/><br/>Anger burned in her eyes and Lyra shoved his hands away. For the first time since yesterday evening, the plaint girl was fighting back. She sat up, rage and humiliating blurring together on her flushed face. "We both know there's nothing I can do again you, Geslack. I'm willing to play whatever part you want, but at least... just leave the boy alone."