Elena’s POV

The mine was silent again.

Not the sudden, violent silence of collapse—but the heavy kind that stretched on until time lost its shape. Damien released me and leaned back against the cold rock wall, one leg bent to brace himself. His breathing was shallow, uneven.

I didn’t move.

Dust still clung to my lashes. The darkness pressed close, thick enough to touch.

I didn’t know how long passed. Minutes, maybe longer. My legs were numb. My thoughts tangled and loosened ...