At dawn, the window in Alex's room burst open with a bang, letting in a gust of icy, damp forest air. He felt the cold cut through to his bones. Groaning, he pulled the blanket over his head.
"Mother... what time is it?" he mumbled through clenched teeth.
His bleary eyes landed at the foot of the bed. There stood Elarin – Lyra's younger sister – leaning over him, reaching for his blanket. She wore a thin, short pajama that barely covered her hips. The tight shirt hugging her chest rose with every move, revealing a bit of her flat stomach. In the pale morning light, her body almost seemed to glow.
Next to her stood Lyra, arms crossed over her chest, looking tired. Her nightshirt was looser, but even more revealing – one strap had slipped off her shoulder, and through the fabric's slit, Alex could glimpse the curve of her breast.
