Elara's POV
The nurse had just checked my bandage and left when my phone buzzed on the nightstand. Unknown number. I answered because I had stopped being careful about that days ago.
The voice was calm. Older. The kind of calm that did not come from peace but from never having needed to rush.
"Miss Voss. You do not know me. But I believe you have seen my photograph."
I sat up slowly. "The Collector."
A pause. Pleased, maybe. "Lila talks too much. She always has." A breath. "I want you to come to the roof. Alone. You have ten minutes before I call the man I have stationed on the second floor and tell him to start a fire in the east wing."
My stomach dropped. "There are patients in this building."
"Yes. So I suggest you move quickly. Come alone or I make the call. Bring anyone and I m
