Third-person POV
Electra had just swung her legs over the side of the narrow bed when the door opened without warning. The sound made her look up at once, and Irina stepped in first, her movements fast and tense, with Penelope right behind her. The moment they saw Electra sitting upright instead of lying down, both of them hurried across the room as if they had been bracing themselves for something worse.
Irina reached her first. "You're awake," she said, letting out a breath that sounded like she had been holding it for too long. Without asking, she pressed her palm against Electra's forehead, then to her own cheek, comparing the heat. "Thank goodness you're no longer burning up. You were so hot earlier, and trust me, it wasn't normal."
Electra stayed still and let her check. She did not pull away or complain like she typically would have. Irina's hand was cool, and it felt strange against her skin.
