Elias's POV

We left the training hall in silence.

The walk back to Ronan's suite felt longer than it should have. Every corridor empty. Every shadow a reminder of how alone we were.

Ronan's words echoed in my head. Run, fight, or surrender. Three terrible choices. No good options.

Ronan walked beside me. Close enough that our shoulders almost touched. He didn't say anything. Didn't need to.

We both knew what we were facing. We both knew time was running out.

He unlocked his suite. We went ...