Chapter 205: The Mystery Called Lake

LYN Cold water hit my face like a slap, jolting me awake with a gasp that sent pain shooting through my ribs. My head pounded with a rhythm that matched my racing heartbeat as consciousness returned in fragmented pieces. I tried to move, only to discover that thick metal cuffs bound my wrists and ankles to what felt like a heavy wooden chair bolted to the ground. The restraints weren't ordinary metal -- they felt dense and cold against my skin in a way that made my healing abilities feel muted and distant. Lead. Someone had done their research and knew exactly how to neutralize my powers. I blinked rapidly, trying to adjust to the darkness that surrounded me. The air was stale and carried the scent of dampness and something else I couldn't quite identify -- something that reminded me of hospitals and chemicals. Wherever I was, it felt underground, isolated from the outside world. "You're awake," a small voice said from somewhere in front of me. I strained my eyes, trying to see who had