POV: Sophie
I woke up to the cold emptiness of Burn’s bed. The sheets still held his warmth, but he was already gone. I didn’t need to open my eyes to know he wasn’t here. It was a feeling, an absence that wrapped itself around me, like something vital was missing.
I sat up slowly, wincing as the soreness in my body reminded me of everything I’d been through. The bruises on my wrists had deepened, purple and angry, a constant reminder of the fear that had gnawed at me during those long hours in La Morte Nera’s hands. Every time I closed my eyes, I could still hear their voices, still feel the cold steel of the chair against my skin as they mocked me, waiting for Burn to fall into their trap.
But Burn had come. He’d saved me.
I pulled the blanket tighter around my shoulders, but the com
