POV: Bea Sharpe

Rescue came in the form of security teams navigating Miranda's reality storm.

They pulled us from the collapsed corridor, checked us for injuries beyond the cuts and bruises we'd accumulated during the fight. Ben's shoulder was dislocated. My ribs were probably cracked. But we were alive and mobile, which felt like victory.

"Miranda's power surge is contained," Emilia reported. "Ferdinand managed to anchor her before she transcended completely. They're both unconscious but ...