Emma POV

I woke to cold. It wasn’t just the air—it sank into my bones, sharp and biting. The room was dark, empty, and strange. My wrists hurt where they were tied, and my chest felt tight with panic. I blinked, trying to make sense of the shadows around me.

“Hello? Who’s there? What’s happening?” I whispered, my voice shaky. It sounded small, lost. My heart was hammering so fast I thought it might burst. I twisted against the restraints, but my arms didn’t obey me.

A soft ...