ELIAS'S POV

We didn't follow Hale's instructions. He said come alone. We came together. All of us.

Me, Ronan, Kieran, Chen, Lee, and Marcus. Safety in numbers. Trust but verify.

The old library basement at midnight felt different this time. Less like a refuge. More like a trap waiting to spring.

Hale was already there when we arrived. Standing in the center of the room. Waiting. He didn't look surprised to see all of us.

"I said come alone," he said calmly.

"We don't take orders well," ...