**Elena**
The dull ache on my cheek… the sting that burned under my skin.
It was the pain that woke me up.
"My queen, you're finally awake," Ivana’s soft voice echoed.
My eyes blinked open slowly, stinging under the harsh hospital lights.
"Elena... thank goodness," Lauren’s voice came next. I felt the warmth of her palm slide into mine.
"What… what happened?" My voice cracked as I reached up, brushing my fingers gently over my face.
The skin throbbed. Swollen. Tender.
"You sure have a thing for hospitals, don't you?" Ivana chuckled lightly, but there was something in her voice… a tremble.
I looked at her. Her smile was forced, and there were tears hiding in the corners of her eyes.
I tried to smile back.
Just a little one.
But it didn’t last.
The memories hit me.
Xavier.
