Elena’s POV

The moment the word fire left my lips, Damien froze.

It was subtle, almost imperceptible, but I saw it clearly—the way his pupils tightened, the way his breathing stilled, as though something deep within him had been violently stirred.

For a brief second, he seemed distant.

Lost.

As if he had been pulled into a memory far beyond this moment.

I didn’t know what he was thinking, and I didn’t care to know.

All I knew was that this was my chance.

I stepped back quickly, ...