Azaar’s POV

​A sharp, throbbing sting on my left toe pulled me aggressively out of sleep. I groaned, shifting my weight, but the localized pain was instantly evident. Blinking against the dim light filtering through the curtains, I reached for my nightstand, but the space was completely empty. My alarm clock was gone. I checked my phone instead, and my chest tightened when I saw the digital display: 8:30 AM.