Elena’s POV

The first thing I registered was the light.

Harsh.

Sudden.

Unforgiving.

“Elena, wake up.”

I made a sound that was more complaint than word and tried to pull the blanket higher. The sling made the movement clumsy, and my arm protested immediately.

I ignored it.

“Five more minutes.”

“You don’t have five minutes.”

“Then give me ten.”

There was a brief silence.

Then I heard the curtains being yanked open.

Bright morning poured across the bed like an accusation.

I groaned and turned my face into the pillow.

“Samantha…”

“It’s eight fifteen, young lady.”

My eyes snapped open.

“What?”

I sat up so quickly that the room tilted....