Elias’s POV

The walk to Director Hale’s office felt longer than it ever had. Even the air felt heavy, like the walls were listening. Ronan walked beside me the whole time, close enough that our arms brushed with every step. He didn’t say a word, but he didn’t have to. His presence alone kept me from shaking too much.

Vale walked ahead of us, his hands behind his back, calm as always. He didn’t look tense. He didn’t look curious. But he kept glancing back at me every few steps, ...