Aria

When I opened my eyes again, pain hit me immediately. My head was pounding. My whole body felt like it had been broken into pieces.

My vision was blurred, and everything appeared hazy.

“You’re awake,” someone uttered.

I turned my head slowly toward the voice. It hurt to move. There was a woman I didn’t recognize standing next to me.

“Who are you?” My voice came out rough, barely working.

“Don’t stress yourself, Miss,” she said gently. “You’re too weak right now.”

Too weak. Then I remembered. Damon. The whip. The blood.

“Am I dead?” I asked. Part of me hoped I was. At least then the pain would...