Page 105 of Elas

That’s what matters.

But what about the others who never got to shed their chains?a quiet voice argues. They’re discussing the files and any plans attached to them in past tense, and everyone seems okay to let it rest.

To just let it go.

Elas glances down at me, and I force a smile in return. He tilts his head, searching, like he can tell something is bothering me. But eventually, he hugs me tighter and turns to Ronan.

“Where can we sleep tonight?”

“We weren’t exactly expecting visitors,” Ronan says, tone dry, “so I don’t have the guest quarters made up yet.”

“A few of the other houses are weathertight, they’re just… dirty.” Cameron wrinkles his nose as he says it. “For tonight, it’s probably best if you sleep here. The couch isn’t huge, but it’s clean and comfortable.”

Ronan grumbles, and a tiny smile sneaks onto my face, despite my tight throat. “No one is getting any privacy tonight,” he mutters, and Cameron clicks his tongue and swats him with the back of his hand. Ronan doesn’t even flinch, just rolls his eyes and continues to pout.

Cameron turns to Reyes. “We have plenty of quilts and pillows, too. The floor isn’t ideal, but it’s temporary.”

“We’re grateful for everything,” I say softly, and Ronan sighs, shifting Cameron off his lap.

He collects an armful of blankets from their storage building as everyone settles in for the night. After some arguing from both Elas and Reyes, I convince both of them to let Reyes have the couch while Elas and I curl up on the floor.

We huddle in a makeshift nest of bedding, and his heavy arms are a comfort wrapped around me. But even as his breathing steadies and his body twitches in the throes of sleep, I’m still wide awake, staring off into the darkness.

From the second we wake up the following morning, life becomes a flurry of motion and activity. We pick a house—a two-bedroom cottage across the street and down a few from Ronan and Cameron. A bed big enough for Elas and me to share comfortably occupies one bedroom, and in the living room, a giant window provides a breathtaking view of the forest. Most of the furniture inside is salvageable. Elas and Ronan haul the damaged pieces outside as Cameron and I sit back and watch. Neither of us hides our interest as their muscles bulge under the strain of the dilapidated dresser.

“I told him once I wanted him to split wood shirtless,” Cameron says, never glancing away. “This is almost as good, but I could do without all those clothes.” They drop the bulky dresser near the fire pit, intending to break it down to burn later. Elas lifts his shirt to wipe the sweat off his forehead, exposing the defined muscles of his abs.

“He did that on purpose,” I mutter as I fan myself, and sure enough, there’s a grin on his face when he drops his shirt and winks at me.

“Worth it,” Cameron says. We both chuckle when Ronan narrows his eyes in our direction.

I glance down the path, seeing shadows moving inside Reyes’s new house. He chose a tiny cabin with a modest living area and kitchenette, claiming he doesn’t need much space. Its small floor plan seems bigger with the abundant windows, though, and I imagine they’re the reason behind his choice. Sunshine and greenery are a luxury after living underground for so long.

He’s cleaning on his own, despite our invitations to join us and offers to help. Constant company after so manyyears of isolation must be a shock to the system, so we respect his privacy. When he’s ready for visitors, he’ll find us.

Nyx appeared at the treeline with Cameron after he sought him out in the woods this morning. Cameron explained we were friends, but Nyx hasn’t come any closer. Boomerang, however, bounded across the village, all four feet airborne as she ran. She danced between her paws, tongue hanging out the side of her mouth. I watched in pure joy as Elas got onto his knees, a giant smile on his face as he played with her. Now she’s worn out, curled up in a ball in the shade.

“Alright, show’s over,” I say with a sigh as Ronan and Elas walk towards us. They’re both grinning as Elas talks. I can’t hear what he’s saying from here, but his hands wave wildly through the air, and I’m shocked when Ronan throws his head back in a laugh.

“Yeah,” Cameron agrees. “We better get to work before they get too cocky.”

“Can’t have that,” I say, and he grins as we step into the house. All the windows are open, and the breeze that blows through is warm, but the shade from the forest makes it comfortable. I grab the bucket of soapy water and work in the kitchen, scrubbing years of dust and grime off the counters. It doesn’t take long before my water turns black, and I dump it outside before twisting the tap on the sink. Air groans inside the pipes, and it sputters out in a few blasts that spray droplets everywhere, but eventually, it comes in a steady flow.

Elas joins in the cleaning once the heavy lifting is done, and, to my surprise, so does Ronan. The initialshock of our arrival is finally passing, and he seems to relax. He still shoots Reyes annoyed glances anytime he shows up, much to everyone else’s delight.

Morning turns into afternoon and evening, and the setting sun paints the sky in oranges and deep blues when we finally stop working. Ronan ducked out an hour before the rest of us to cook dinner, and he shouts that food is ready.

Cameron batted his eyes earlier, so Ronan made a few loaves of bread. He serves it with salted meat and a huge bucket of fat red strawberries from a plant Cameron found in the woods. Dinner is cheerful and filled with chatter, but I can’t fully engage.

My eyes keep drifting to the SUV parked in the distance. The boxes of files call out to me from inside, but it’s like everyone has forgotten them.

It feels like a tomb, and I’m the only one in mourning.

Ever since we arrived, they’ve been a nagging thud in the back of my skull, demanding to be acknowledged. Guilt gnaws at my stomach once again, and the strawberry I’m chewing turns sour on my tongue.

It’s only been a day, I tell myself.

We need time to settle.

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