Page 17 of Elas

He frowns, giving his head a small shake. “Xeni seems really nice.”

“Of course he does,” I snort. “Bet he told you himself just how nice he is.”

“Thanks for the input, but I don’t need your permission to make friends, Elas. I can take care of myself.”

My brows lift at the defensiveness in his tone. “I never said you couldn’t, but you need to be careful around him.”

“You want me to be careful aroundhim? The only person who was decent to me today?”

“Iwas decent to you,” I argue with a sudden need to drive that particular point home.

He shoots me an annoyed glare that only makes me even more indignant. “Every single person I encountered today either insulted me to my face, or avoided me like I’ve got the damn plague. Forgive me for not shunning theoneperson who made me feel normal just because you say so.”

“They were rude to you?” My voice drops into a low rumble, almost a growl.

“Of course they were! They were awful!” He shouts loud enough that a few heads turn our way, and the outburst is so out of character that it stops me dead in my tracks. August groans and scrubs his hand over his face, his shoulders sagging. “Sorry… shit, I’m sorry, Elas. It’s not right for me to take my temper out on you when you’ve been so wonderful. I’m just not used to being treated like this.”

His defeated attitude washes away the last of my anger, wanting to see his smile return. “Do I need to makesome bodies disappear?” I ask, and he snorts a sound that straddles the line between amused and shocked. “Because I have my ways.”

“I’m sure you do.” The tiniest grin tugs at his lips as he shakes his head. “It’ll take time for them to get used to me, but eventually, it will be fine. You warned me, but it still took me by surprise. People usually like me.”

“Arrogant much?” I tease, and when his middle finger lifts in my direction, a loud, surprised laugh booms from my belly. We enter the barracks and walk down the hallway in a comfortable silence. “Why don’t you get a shower and relax?” I ask as we step into the apartment.

“Crap,” he mutters, leaning against the counter and rubbing his temple like he has a headache. “I left the scrubs she gave me in my locker, along with your clothes. This set is clean enough for tomorrow, so I’ll have to be careful to not spill anything on them tonight.”

“Don’t worry about that. Let me get you something to wear.” For the second time today, I grab him a set of my clothes and hand them over. He offers me a smile—a genuine one, not the forced bullshit he was sending my way a few minutes ago. “Are you hungry?”

“Starving. It was after lunch when we got there today, so I haven’t eaten since breakfast.”

My budding smile tips back down into a frown. “They should’ve given you a chance to eat.”

“That wasn’t exactly high on their priorities.” He hovers awkwardly in the bathroom doorway, throwing me another exhausted glance. A bitter taste fills my mouth as I remind myself this is worlds better than the treatment he would receive as a prisoner.

“Go ahead. Take your time.” He offers me an appreciative smile as he disappears into the bathroom, but as soon as the door closes, I head back out into the hallway. The trip to the galley is quick, and I wave at one of the line cooks.

He’s an Anunian like Ronan, though his dark hair is cut short and he isn’t as tall. A pang of sadness hits my heart as he ambles over, moving with that feline grace they have about them. I hate not knowing what’s happening with my friend. “Hey, Elas. What can I do for you?”

“Can you pack me up two meals to go? Plenty of meat and extra bread?”

“Yeah, of course. Hot date?”

I snort a laugh, following him as he returns to the line and grabs two plates. “Nothing like that.”

“So, I shouldn’t toss in a candle for you? Maybe add a big, fat dollop of whipped cream for later?”

“Fuck off, dumbass,” I say with a laugh, and he grins back.

“Yeah, okay, keep your juicy secrets.” He tosses me a wink as he loads two servings of steak onto both plates and scoops a generous portion of roasted potatoes and green beans. Everything gets wrapped in foil and set inside a bag. As a last minute thought, he wraps an entire loaf of bread and places it on top.

“Do you think I could…” I trail off, gesturing at the stack of desserts.

He huffs a quiet laugh. “Hope he appreciates you.”

“Not like that,” I say again as I take the bag from him. He rolls his eyes and gives me a friendly wave. I make the quick trip back to the barracks, and the water is stillrunning when I enter. It shuts off as I pull the food out and set two places at the table.

August walks out of the bathroom a few minutes later. A cloud of steam follows him into the hallway as he runs his fingers through his dripping hair. He takes a deep inhale and his eyes go wide as he turns to where I stand beside the table. Suddenly, I don’t know what to do with my hands, and I wave them awkwardly at the spread.

“I, uh, got us some dinner.”

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