Elena’s POV

The first thing I noticed was the sterile smell. Bleach. Antiseptic. The faint hum of medical monitors.

My eyelids fluttered open, heavy as stone. White ceiling. Pale curtains drawn halfway. I glanced around and sighed. I was in the university’s medical wing.

A man sat in a chair beside me. His suit was plain, his badge clipped neatly to his chest.

“Miss Kensington.” His voice was calm, too calm. He leaned forward, steepling his fingers. “I’m Council Investigator ...