Ronan’s POV

Elias did not talk much for the rest of the day. He stayed close to me, quiet, careful, like someone trying not to fall through a thin floor. The fear in his eyes never fully faded. It stayed there like a shadow behind every breath.

I hated it.

I hated that someone out there had done this to him. I hated that Hale was pushing him harder. And I hated that no matter how close I stood, the danger still felt closer.

We skipped the rest of training. Vale complained a little, but ...