Elias’s POV

The room felt too quiet after Ronan left. Quiet in a way that made my skin crawl. My heartbeat sounded loud in my ears. I sat there on the edge of the bed, staring at the door he had just walked through.

He told me not to open it for anyone. Just him. My chest tightened.

I wrapped my arms around myself and forced my breathing to slow, but the fear from last night still clung to me. Vale. The thought of him anywhere near the academy made my stomach twist.

I stood and paced the ...