Page 8 of Elas

“That sounded like a question, August.”

My cheeks flame as I shake my head, forcing my voice to be more confident. “No, I haven’t done anything that would cause problems. I’m positive.”

Another rumbling chuckle rolls from his throat, lighter this time, and it confuses me further. “You aren’t in trouble. Sit, please.” His movements are sleek and controlled as he circles the table, his footsteps silent despite his size. It makes me realize the clomping steps when he first entered the prison were a warning. They announced his presence.

A thoughtful predator, then, not wanting to spook his prey.

Leather creaks under his weight as he sinks into his chair. He cocks his brow at me again as I realize I’m standing here, staring awkwardly as I try to figure him out. I snap to attention and drop into the chair, spine perfectly straight and hands folded in my lap. Silence stretches between us, and I shift uncomfortably as he stares. He doesn’t appear angry, just observant—watching me like he’s waiting for me to make the first move.

Eventually, I break. “You know, some people would consider it rude not to introduce yourself.” His thick brows are extraordinarily expressive, and the way they lift shows his surprise. “Not that I’m calling you rude,” I hurry to say. “Because that would be rude on its own, wouldn’t it?”

“Uh huh,” he drawls with a slow nod.

“And also probably not the smartest move on my part either, seeing as we don’t know each other.”

“Right.”

“Seven hells,” I mutter, leaning my elbows on the table and scrubbing my hands over my face. “I don’t know what’s come over me. Can we rewind the past few minutes and start over again?”

“Back to before you called me rude?” he teases, and I catch his grin when I peek between my fingers.

“That would be for the best,” I groan, and he snorts a laugh, more relaxed this time. I finally pull my hands away and show my face.

“I suppose it would be good manners to introduce myself. My name is Elas.”

“It’s really nice to meet you, Elas.” I offer him another smile and he chuckles, reclining in his seat and tapping his fingers on the table.

“You’re an interesting human, aren’t you, August? Your words don’t make sense to me, but you seem to be genuine when you say them.”

“Why wouldn’t I be genuine?”

He stares at me again for a long time. “Most humans in your position wouldn’t be thrilled to have a soldier leading them into an interrogation room.”

I shrug. “You seem like a nice guy.”

His mouth falls open, and his dark eyes are shocked. They’re almost entirely black, with barely noticeable segments of white around the edges. His pupils are enormous, and the only way to spot where his irises end is because they’re flecked with tiny sparkles—miniature silver stars against a stark black sky.

“You think thatI…” He gestures up and down his colossal torso. “… look like aniceguy?”

“Well, yes, although I have heard a time or two that I have a tendency to be overly optimistic. So, are you?”

“Am I what?” He looks so utterly perplexed that a soft, snorting laugh chuffs from my nose.

“Are you a nice guy?”

A few nonsensical words sputter out, an argument that doesn’t seem to form, before he closes his mouth. He gives a small toss of his head, like he’s clearing out the cobwebs. “I suppose?”

“Well, there you have it.”

“By the gods,” he groans, huffing another of those amused laughs. “Cameron was actually right about you.”

I perk up, leaning forward. “You’ve spoken to Cameron? I haven’t seen him since the raid on the camp and I wondered what happened to him.” My lips tug to one side as I chew on the inside of my cheek. “He was determined to get away. Honestly, as squirrelly as he is, I’m surprised he didn’t.” His comment clicks in my brain and I glance back up into his dark eyes. “Wait, what was he saying about me?”

“He was… complimenting your agreeable attitude. Though I have to admit, I was hard pressed to believe him when he’s so…”

“Audacious?” I offer, and his entire face softens with his smile. “Brazen?”

“I was going to say ballsy as fuck, but sure, those work, too.”

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