Elias’s POV

I kept replaying Hale’s words in my head.

“After drills, come to my side. I want to talk to you.”

My palms were sweating. My heartbeat was too loud.

Ronan stood close behind me as the line for the drill moved forward.

“Focus,” Ronan murmured. “Just do the basic forms. Do not think about Hale yet.”

“I am trying,” I whispered back.

“You need to try harder,” he said softly, not unkind. “Your breathing is uneven.”

I forced a slow inhale. It helped, but ...