Chapter 40 Fractured Memories

The aftermath of the battle resembled a scene from a nightmare. Dust motes danced in the shafts of sunlight filtering through the gaping hole in the mansion's roof. Shattered furniture lay scattered like broken bones, and an acrid smell of burnt wood hung thick in the air. Friesland, his body protesting with every movement, leaned heavily against a shattered support beam. Exhaustion gnawed at him, but adrenaline kept him alert. He glanced at Elizabeth, who lay on a stretcher next to him, her face pale and drawn. Medics bustled around her, monitoring her vitals. Emily, a vacant expression etched on her face, sat huddled on a pile of debris. The golden aura that had surrounded her during the fight was gone, replaced by a hollowness that tugged at Friesland's heart. The wail of sirens grew louder, announcing the arrival of reinforcements. Soon, the once silent mansion was teeming with activity – uniformed officers swarmed the scene, securing the perimeter and documenting the destructio