Page 25 of Elas (Mate’s Mark #2)

Elas

August was jumpy when I dropped him off at the clinic, but my instincts were quiet. His stress pushed me to the brink of snatching him away from that place, consequences be damned. If I’d sensed even a hint of danger, the tiniest inkling of unease in my stomach, I wouldn’t have left his side.

The trip to the commander’s office takes a few minutes, and the same Ramves woman greets me with her off-kilter, razored smile. She remembers my name, and as I nod my thanks and walk towards the chairs, she stops me. “No need to sit. He’s waiting for you.”

Fan-fucking-tastic. Always a great sign.

I give her my calmest smile as I approach his door and rap on the wood with my knuckles.

“Come in,” Khors grunts from inside. I take another deep, steel my spine, and toss my shoulders back as I enter.

He doesn’t even spare me a glance, just waves at the chair across from his desk, and I sink down as he continues to… seal an envelope with a fancy ring.

Only he didn’t take it off, so his finger is twisted at an awkward angle as he presses it into the wax. A subtly sweet scent puffs into the air, and Khors looks pleased.

Dear gods, this is the man in charge of an army of soldiers.

A few long moments pass before Khors lifts his finger, a satisfied smirk on his face as he studies the lopsided seal.

Each second that passes makes it harder to bite my tongue, but somehow, I manage.

He sits the envelope aside on top of a haphazard stack, where the seals become progressively worse towards the bottom.

“Elas,” he finally says, and the boom of his voice startles me after the prolonged silence. “Thank you for coming.”

Like I had a choice.

“Of course, sir. What can I do for you?”

“When we last met, you said you’d help if we found any new information about my uncle’s death and Officer Ronan’s involvement.”

“That’s correct,” I say, leaning forward in my seat. “Has there been an update?”

His eyes finally meet mine, examining me for a moment before he continues. “There’s no concrete evidence of his guilt, but he fled, and that’s enough for me. Ronan killed Bravis, I’m sure of it… I just need to prove it. And now I might have a lead.”

“What sort of lead?”

“There’s a camp that our convoys use, about a day’s ride from here, and my scouts found signs of someone living there recently. They might’ve only missed him by a few days.”

“Which camp, sir?”

“A rebel settlement that was taken down several years ago. It was well maintained and well-stocked, so we frequently use it as a stopping point.”

“And you believe Ronan was there?”

“I can’t be sure it’s him, but my gut tells me it is.

Dozens of our platoons have stopped and camped there over the years, but this was the first time it looked as though someone had stayed put for a while.

The local rebels know better and stay far away from that place, but Ronan wouldn’t have any idea that we use it.

” He taps his fingers on the desktop, gesturing vaguely towards the window.

“It makes sense that he’d seek shelter while he figured out his next move.

One of the solar panels was even repaired, like he was planning on staying long term. ”

My brows bunch as I purse my lips, considering this.

“Ronan isn’t mechanically inclined,” I say, and his full attention focuses on me.

“He’s smart and resourceful, but he couldn’t fix a solar panel.

Hells, he wouldn’t know where to start. We were on a scouting mission once and the vehicle broke down.

All he did was curse and kick the tires until someone further back in our convoy reached us and helped. ”

“Since you didn’t do the repairs, either, I take that to mean you also aren’t mechanically inclined ,” he deadpans. I can tell he’s trying to get under my skin, so instead of giving him the satisfaction of a reaction, I just chuckle.

“Not in the least, sir. ”

His fingers steeple and he drums them against his chin as he considers what I’ve told him.

Years of schooling my face into the easy demeanor people expect of me pay off, and I keep my expression carefully neutral.

It doesn’t matter how much of an idiot Khors is—this is a dangerous game I’m playing, and I’d be a fool not to realize that.

“Well, I’m not ready to write it off yet. There are few places close enough that he could’ve run to before needing to stop and regroup. Would Ronan be able to handle himself in the wilds?”

“Yes,” I answer without hesitation, especially if Cameron is by his side, though I keep that thought to myself. It seems like they’re oblivious to his presence, or to the fact that Ronan is mated, which are both a relief.

“That complicates things,” he mutters as he stares at his stack of envelopes. “You’re a tracker, aren’t you, Elas?”

“One of the best, sir.”

A flare of annoyance crosses his face, but it isn’t arrogance behind my words. I’ve been the base’s top tracker for a long time. My amplified senses and analytical mind mean I think differently than others, and find answers they might overlook.

“Alright, let me think about this. If I asked you to investigate the camp…” He trails off, leaving the rest of the question unasked.

“I’m at your service, sir. Whatever you need from me, consider it done.” Sure, I’m laying it on a little thick, but he’s too dense to notice.

Nepotism created a monster, and I’m not afraid to use that to my advantage .

“Thank you, Elas. Your dedication and discretion are appreciated.”

“Of course, sir.” I nod and slap my thighs, ready to get the fuck out of here, but he holds a hand up to stop me.

“There is… one other thing.”

I ease back into an expectant smile and let my body relax into the chair once more. “Anything, sir.”

“I understand there was an incident with your…” He tilts his nose up, a disgusted grimace pulling his lips back to show the edges of his teeth. “ Pet. ”

“Pet, sir?”

“Your human.”

My stomach drops in a sickening plummet, and it feels like my insides might tumble right out of me. Khors’s attention on August would paint a target right on his back, and with it, a target on my own. He’s reckless enough to act without cause, and arrogant enough to always think he’s right.

It’s a terrible combination, especially for a leader.

“The medic?” I ask, clearing my throat and trying to appear disinterested.

“Unless there’s another human hiding in your quarters that I’m unaware of.” His brow makes an irritated hike up his forehead, nearly touching his blunt horn.

“No, of course not, sir. The human is well mannered and doesn’t make waves. He seems to be grateful for the opportunity to work and is eager to help.” Khors snorts, but doesn’t interrupt. “Chief Aeliphis has been pleased with his performance, at least as far as she’s communicated with me. ”

“Chief Aeliphis is the one who brought this problem to my attention.”

“And what is the problem? Sir?” I add the last part in a rush, needing to feed his ego. The thin ice I’m walking on cracks under my feet, and a single wrong step could send me plummeting under.

He leans forward, drumming his fingers on his chin again. “He saw something he shouldn’t have seen, and humans are deathly curious. Did he mention anything to you?”

“No, sir,” I lie, “but we don’t exchange many social niceties.

He’s quiet, and I spend evenings in my bedroom, so I still have some privacy.

” I hesitate, but I’m already flirting with disaster.

Why not push my luck to the absolute limit?

“If I might ask, Commander… what did he see? If I know what to listen for, it will help me identify an issue sooner.”

He hums thoughtfully as he continues to drum those steepled fingers. The longer the silence stretches, the more I think he’s going to shut me down, but he eventually sighs and places his palms on the desktop.

“Chief Aeliphis has the human working on organizing files in one of her storage rooms, since the patients are refusing to be treated by him. There was some paperwork left out that should have never been in that room.”

“What did he learn from it?” I ask carefully.

“Not much, just the subject’s identities and the name of the base.”

I nod as though I’m absorbing the information. “Okay, I understand why you wouldn’t want him to see confidential medical records. The second part confuses me, though, sir. The bases are widely known, even to the humans. Hells, there’s a sign in front of them.”

He nods again, unblinking, and I can almost hear the rusty cogs in his brain as he tries to determine how much to tell me. He clears his throat, sitting up straighter. “Not this base.”

Dread rushes my veins at his vague half-answer, and instinctually, I know something big is happening here. “Sir?”

“There is a base… more of a research facility, really. It’s a small compound, and only those that need to know of its existence are told of it. The ultimate top secret.” I nod, dumbstruck for what might be the first time in my life.

This is it.

The confirmation of my incessant thoughts over the past few days. The evidence that there are secrets hidden from everyone—even a highly respected officer with a century of service. Proof that the highest level of clearance is only a smokescreen for something more.

“It’s primarily scientists and medical staffers that occupy Ljómur,” he continues, as I force myself to listen past the ringing in my ears.

“Though there is a heavy guard presence. Most are assigned there for life to keep the risk of exposure as low as possible, but some do eventually get moved, with proper clearance.”

“Chief Aeliphis?” It’s nothing more than a guess, but his lips pull into a tight line as he nods.

“A few medics she trusts came along with her. She continued to study her research here and housed some of the classified documents while she worked. It appears someone was careless with their files, and now here we are.”

“Permission to speak freely, Commander?” I ask, and he nods and waves for me to continue. “What is happening at this base that something as simple as its name could be considered a threat? It’s written in the common language, and I guarantee the human couldn’t translate what he saw.”

“You have no idea what they might be studying at Ljómur?” he asks, and it feels like a test I don’t know how to pass.

It seems pointless to lie, though, when we’ve all heard the story.

The glow of the Mate’s Mark is common knowledge amongst our people.

“I could speculate,” I finally say. Khors’s slow, calculated nod is a far cry from the impulsive man from my youth.

Perhaps I’ve been underestimating the danger of his presence here.

“How do you feel about this, Elas?”

“Sir?”

His chin lifts, an indirect threat as he assesses the one across from him. “I’ve just told you that even at your rank, there’s a base that has been kept secret from you.” He nods at my chest, at the three bars that sit on my uniform.

“It isn’t my place to question leadership’s judgement, sir,” I say, the words ashes on my tongue as I force them out, “but to follow the orders you see fit to give.”

The suspicion slowly fades from his face as a long, weary sigh escapes his nose. “This human… he doesn’t leave your sight?”

“Not unless he’s at the clinic, sir. ”

“Monitor him at all times. If he shows any interest in what he saw, any at all… you come to me. Directly to me.”

“Yes, sir. You have my word.”

“I need some time to think about this. In the meantime, your discretion is appreciated.” There’s a threat in his words that he doesn’t even attempt to hide, and I nod my understanding.

“Nothing we discuss will leave this room, Commander.”

He gives a final nod, an obvious dismissal, as he turns back to his wax block and picks at the flecks stuck in his ring. “Be on the lookout for my summons, Elas.”