Page 11 of Elas

“Sorry… give me a second to adjust.”

“Take your time,” I say as I secure the door behind us. The two guards who keep watch outside stare at him, not hiding their curiosity. I get it—he’s a novelty. A human inourworld, walking aroundourbase like he belongs here. But that doesn’t mean I like their eyes on him. Protectiveness prickles over my skin, lifting the hair on the back of my neck.

“Where should your focus be, soldiers?” I bark, tilting my chin in challenge. They both snap to attention and face forward again. “Can’t properly keep watch if you’re too busy being nosey, now can you?”

“No, Officer Elas, sir. Apologies. Won’t happen again.”

“See that it doesn’t.” I turn to find August watching me with a grin. “I take it your eyes have adjusted, if you’re able to look so smug.”

His grin stretches to a wide smile as he takes a few steps in my direction. “Sorry, I didn’t want to interrupt while you were fluffing your peacock feathers.” One of theguards snorts a laugh, then covers it with a cough as I turn to give him another warning glare.

“That’s enough out of you, too, human.” August bites his smile between his teeth, trying to hide it. “Come on, then.” Nerves flutter in my gut as he falls in step beside me, and I clear my throat when we’re out of earshot. “There is… one thing I may have neglected to mention.”

“Those are exactly the words I wanted to hear as I get my first taste of freedom in two weeks.”

“Hey, now, that’s enough sass out of you,” I warn, and he chuckles. Bathed in the afternoon sun, his hair that looked brown inside has transformed into a dirty blonde, each strand shimmering with a golden light. It’s fitting that he’s a walking ray of sunshine.

But sunny smile and gilded hair aside, he looks rough. I frown as I take in his dirt-smudged skin and filthy clothing. Prisoners are only given buckets of water and washrags to keep themselves clean, but until now, it’s never bothered me.

It always felt sufficient.

Despite the shitshow the world has thrown at him, he’s happy. His bright eyes straddle the line between brown and green, assessing everything with a curiosity I haven’t experienced in decades. It’s refreshing, and I wonder what he sees as his head swivels.

Everyone we pass seems to stare, with emotions ranging from wide-eyed surprise to venomous anger. They track him as we walk, so I step closer to him.

The message is crystal clear: the human is mine to protect.

August doesn’t seem bothered by the attention. He doesn’t shy away, but simply offers a smile to anyone who meets his eyes. It’s gentle enough to appease without feeling like a threat. In his own way, that smile is his weapon, and he knows how to wield it.

His nerves aren’t obvious if you don’t know where to look, but his silence as we walk is telling. He finally speaks up as we get to a less crowded area. “This is a special brand of torture, Elas. I’m not sure I can handle the suspense much longer.”

Right.

“There’s a stipulation in your release that makes me personally responsible for you. Everything you do outside of work is supposed to be under my supervision. If you fuck up, I suffer the consequences.”

A frown pulls on his lips as he shakes his head. “I would never do anything to get you in trouble.”

“Ah, let me just finish this thought before you make that blanket statement.” Now I’m the nervous one, rubbing the edge of my chest piece between my fingers as he watches me curiously. “Any time you aren’t working in medical, I have to be with you. ‘Can’t let you out of my sight’ were the exact words.”

“Anytime?”

I nod, watching apprehensive understanding dawn on his face. “Yes.” We approach a large brick building, where windows line the sides in a perfectly symmetrical grid that rises four stories high. We step inside, then I guide him down the first hall to the second to last room. I tap my keycard on the sensor, unlocking the door and pushing it open, gesturing for him to enter.

August peers through the opening, hesitating to walk inside as he glances around. “And this is…?”

“My barracks,” I say as he stops inspecting the living room and his eyes fall back onto mine. “And your new living quarters.”

August’s mouth drops open as his eyes flare wide, and his hands fly up in front of him, palms facing me. He takes a step backward, shaking his head. “No.”

An unexpected pinch of disappointment hits my chest as my brows slam together in the middle of my face. “No?”

“This isn’t… I couldn’t possibly… there must be another option.”

Fuck, that stings. Getting my feelings hurt by the doctor wasn’t on my plans for the day, and it makes my defenses rise. “Well, there fucking isn’t,” I snap, and his eyes somehow get even wider. “You’ve gotta be kidding me with this shit. You’d rather go back to your cell, then? That’s fine. Let’s go.”

“Hold on… that isn’t what I was saying.”

“Backpedal faster, doc. This isn’t exactly ideal for me either, you know. The last time I had a roommate was before your parents were even born, so don’t act like you’re the one sacrificing something.” A scornful laugh pushes out of my throat as I reach up, rubbing my hand over mymouth. “Ronan always said I was too fucking nice. Maybe this is a sign.”

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