Elena's POV

Pain had a taste.

Smoke and metal.

That's what filled my mouth when I woke. The air was thick with heat, my lungs screaming for oxygen. The world tilted sideways - wires dangled from the ceiling like burnt vines, sprinklers hissed uselessly, and the floor where I'd stood minutes ago was gone.

Gone.

Flames danced where Ethan had stood. The server racks had folded in on themselves like crushed skeletons. I could barely think, barely breathe.

"Damian," I whispered, even though I ...