Aiden's POV

The operating room felt too bright. Too white. Too loud. Elira lay on the table still. Too still.

The doctors were already working while Sierra stood behind them, eyes sharp. My grip tightened on the mop stick as I dragged myself closer to the door. My legs felt numb again, the weakness rushing back like a curse.

“Aiden,” the voice came from outside and I rushed to the door to see Dominic. The door clicked open and he slipped something into my palms.

A small comm.

“We communicate through that,” he said as he disappeared across the corridor. I slammed the door shut as the machines on Elira...