Hailey's POV
The world around me was a chaotic blur clanging metal, frantic screams and the pungent iron-like smell of blood hanging in the air. Outside the fortress, the fighting had boiled over but during this moment nothing else mattered.
Because he was standing in front of me...Elias.
My breath caught in my throat as I slowly stepped back trying to escape the frenzied pulse that seemed to hammer against my ribs. He looked the same, those piercing blue eyes and that sharp calculating expression. But he felt different somehow. Colder and even.
I tightened my grip on the blade in my hand, causing my knuckles to turn white "What are you doing here?" I asked, imparting calm to the storm raging within me.
Elias tilted his head slightly and smiled a little "You already know the answer Hailey" His voice was soft and slow, as if we weren't standing in the middle of a war.