Ronan’s POV

The sun hadn’t fully set when Vale came back for us, but the hallways already felt darker than usual. Too quiet. Too watchful.

Elias walked close beside me, his shoulder brushing mine every few steps. He didn’t speak, but I could feel the tension in him; tight, sharp, constant. Every sound made him flinch a little. Every shadow made him look twice.

Vale led us down a corridor students weren’t allowed to use. It smelled like metal and old paint. No windows. No noise. Just ...