Page 122 of Elas

“We’ll go tonight,” I murmur in his ear. “Fuck this place. Fuck this entire planet. I’m not letting you stay here any longer.” August swallows hard, but I’m not surprised when he shakes his head.

“Taryn is here.”

“Taryn?” I recognize the name but can’t place it. August nods as the fist bangs against the door again. “Give me a godsdamned minute!” I bellow so loud my throat aches.

“The leader of the camp where I was taken from,” he whispers just as quietly. “She’s here, and she has a mate. I can’t…” He pulls away, determination overruling the fear in his eyes. “I can’t leave her behind, Elas.” A frustrated sigh pushes through my nose at his stubbornness.

“One more day, August. That’s as long as I can hang around before I run out of excuses. The only reason they haven’t kicked me out yet is because their commander hasn’t been available, and I’ve insisted on seeing them before I leave.”

“What can we do in a day?” he asks, shoving his hand through his hair. “That’s not—” The insistent knock means this conversation has to be shelved for now.

“Let’s get you to your room.” I speak loud enough for whoever is outside to hear, and August nods when he understands what I’m doing. It’s like ripping off one of my limbs as he separates himself from me. “Collect your things while I answer the door, and if you behave, I’ll come by later with some dinner.”

“Yeah, okay,” he says, eyes darting around the room at the few items we bothered unpacking. I open the door to find the same Khileon guard from last night standing in the hallway.

“Apologies for the interruption, Officer. I’ve been asked to escort August to his barracks.” It’s the first time he’s spoken, and his voice is softer than I expected. I wonder if he cares what they’re doing here. If he thinks it’s justified, or if he’s become desensitized to the pain.

Was he ever given a choice?

“Like I told Gale, I’ll escort him myself.”

He shifts between his feet, nervously biting at his lip. “I’ve been given orders, sir.”

“AndI’mordering you—”

“It’s alright,” August interrupts with a quick grip on my forearm. His bag is slung over his shoulder, his previously distraught face poised and calm, if a little pale. “If I’m going to be staying here, I’ll have to get used to the unfamiliar faces.” He smiles at the guard, and a ridiculous flare of jealousy burns in my gut. “What’s your name? It was rude of me not to ask already, but it’s been a stressful few days. I forgot my manners.”

“Oh, uh,” the guard stutters, his gaze flicking to me before returning to August. “Matuk.”

“Well, it’s nice to meet you, Matuk.” August’s eyes move back to mine, and he squeezes my forearm before releasing me. “You’ll bring dinner by in a bit?”

“Yeah, of course,” I manage to say. Matuk offers me another apologetic nod that I return, even though I want to rip his head right off his shoulders. He’s following orders, and logically, I know that.

It doesn’t change the fact that he’s leaving with what belongs to me.

August glances over his shoulder when they get to the exterior door and flashes me a sad smile before they’re gone. My heart pounds, that string around my center that’s been so quiet with August always by my side comes alive. It compresses and tugs me forward, begging me to go after him. For a few minutes, I pace the room like a caged animal before I decide to make the best of my time alone.

Ignoring the curious glances of the others on the base, I examine the watchtowers. I climb the ladder to one, and the guard inside stares in shock as I push myself into his space. It’s barely big enough for both of us, but I ignore his pungent body odor as we stand shoulder to shoulder. Scorching hot winds blow over us as I question him. It only takes a single glance at my rank to loosen his tongue and he tells me everything I want to hear.

The weak spots in the fence.

What sort of weapons they stock, and where they’re stored.

How many guards are on rotation, and how often they work double shifts to accommodate their small numbers.

A plan forms in my mind as the pieces fall into place. If we time it right, we could be through the fence and into the desert long before they have the chance to come after us. The SUV we’re driving has more horsepower than any of their vehicles. Even their trucks are designed for durability and hauling, not speed.

I thank the guard and clap him on the shoulder, trying to earn some hero worship that’ll keep him frommentioning our conversation to someone. By the way he beams, I’m at least partially successful. Praise isn’t readily given here, it seems.

I cross the compound to the main building. Scientists and medics loiter in the lobby as they finish their work, but there are far fewer than earlier. None of them bat an eye as I use my keycard to enter the prisoner quarters. Each cell has an individual lock, but I can’t risk testing whether or not I can open them. August’s keycard will work, assuming there isn’t a time limit set on his access to the prisoners. A few of them watch me with mild interest as I poke around, but I can’t find anything to help me with this piece of the puzzle.

Frustrated, I return to the main lobby. I glance at the double doors to the scientists’ wing, but a few of the workers are watching me now. Too much attention means it’s time to move on, so I duck back outside to circle the exterior and memorize the exits.

A kernel of optimism flares in my chest as my plan materializes.

Dinner is being served, so I collect two trays and head towards August’s barracks. A few people stare, but I ignore them. My keycard lets me into the building, but doesn’t unlock his room, and I’m flooded with relief at the layer of protection.

“It’s me,” I call through the door, tapping my knuckles against the wood while balancing our food, and he opens it in a rush.

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