Chapter 69

Elara’s POV

The first thing I felt was warmth. A soft, soothing heat radiating from the blanket wrapped tightly around me. For a moment, I thought I was home—that Lucas was near, that everything was normal. But then the world crept back in, piece by piece. The faint smell of burning wood. The distant murmur of voices. And… music?

My eyes fluttered open. A golden glow filled the room, cast by the flames of a nearby fireplace. It was cozy, too cozy. The bed beneath me was softer than anything I’d ever known. For a fleeting moment, I let myself believe it was a dream. But dreams didn’t leave an ache in your muscles or the bitter taste of drugs on your tongue.

Where am I?

The music grew louder, I forced myself to sit up, ignoring the dizziness that followed. My body felt foreign, sluggish, like it wasn’t entirely mine anymore. As I swung my legs over the edge of the bed, my bare feet met the cold wooden floor, grounding me in the reality I couldn’t escape.

I wasn’t safe.