Lena couldn’t breathe.
The world returned slowly — sound first, then light, then weight. Her knees pressed against the cold floor as Alex held her upright, his hands firm on her shoulders.
“Lena, look at me.”
His voice sounded distant, like it traveled through water.
She tried to focus.
Tried to answer.
But another awareness stirred beneath her thoughts.
Calm.
Observing.
Present.
Motor control stabilizing, the voice said quietly inside her mind.
Her heart slammed violently.
No.
No, no, no.
She jerked away from Alex suddenly.
“I’m fine,” she said too quickly.
Alex frowned immediately.
“You’re shaking.”
“I said I’m fine.”
The words came out sharper than she intended — almost mechanical.
She froze.
That wasn’t how she spoke.
Inside her head, Adrian responded calmly.
Voc
