Elena’s POV

I froze for a heartbeat too long.

By the time my mind caught up with my body and I reached for the door again, Damien was already inside the room, the door closing softly behind him with a quiet finality that made my chest tighten.

The sound seemed to echo.

I snapped back to myself immediately and stepped forward, planting myself between him and the rest of the room, my spine stiff and my palms clenched so tightly my nails dug into my skin.

“I’m staying in a standard ...