The cave was cold—so cold that it seemed to seep into Liana’s bones, gnawing at her insides as she struggled to make sense of her surroundings. The stone walls were slick with moisture, casting off a damp, musty smell that clogged her throat and churned her stomach. She stumbled forward, her fingers brushing against the jagged surface of the cave’s interior, trying to steady herself.
Where am I? The question echoed through her mind, but no answer came. Her memories felt fragmented, shattered into pieces too small to hold onto.
Panic clawed at her chest, making her breath come in short, ragged bursts. The darkness pressed down on her, thick and suffocating, but through the shadows, a figure slowly emerged. Liana’s heart skipped a beat.
It was Lucian.
He stood before her, his bare ches
