Haze's gaze dropped to the floor, his shoulders weighed down by a guilt that felt too heavy to bear. His eyes threatened to brim with tears every time he glanced up at his brother, Aelorin, knowing that he could have changed this outcome if only he had been faster, stronger—better. The failure sat heavy on his heart, a sickening twist of remorse over being unable to save Arianna when it truly mattered.
"Explain, Haze!" Aelorin's voice broke through the silence, sharp and seething. He was pacing in agitation, the veins on his temple prominent, desperate for answers Haze had yet to provide. The only thing Haze had managed to mutter after they'd reunited was that his team had failed in their mission to rescue Arianna, even though they had outnumbered the kidnappers. It was nowhere near enough.
