Aiden's POV

Pain hit first. Like I was surfacing from a darkness dragging my body.

My skull pulsed with a deep splitting ache, each heartbeat a hammer behind my eyes. My throat was dry, metallic and it was aching.

Slowly, my eyes fluttered open, the sun stinging and sending them close. Minutes passed before my eyes adjusted to the rays and they darted around, confused.

What—

The memories didn't wait further. They hit me instantly. Blood. Blood everywhere. The cabin. Elira's effort to keep me alive. The order. Sierra going back for her. Me seeing her one last time, blood pooling on her, before I went unconscious.

Panic set in...