Page 69 of Elas (Mate’s Mark #2)

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 from mentioning 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.

It’s nearly identical to where we slept last night, and as soon as I place the trays on the counter, I turn and wrap him in my arms. He’s calmer now, but it doesn’t stop him from pressing himself against me and breathing in deeply.

“I missed you,” he mumbles into my chest, and I cup the back of his head as I bury my nose in his hair.

“I missed you, too. Has anyone bothered you?”

He shakes his head as we separate, lifting on his toes to press a gentle kiss to my lips. “They’ve all ignored me, honestly. I haven’t stepped outside this room, though.”

“Good. Let’s eat and you can tell me about your day.

” We sit at the small table and swap information over dinner.

August shares what he learned about the prisoners and the security measures that are in place.

I frown as he tells me about Taryn—how she’d been taken right from under our noses at Glaston.

How she pleaded with him to leave while he still can.

He’s so broken as he stares up at me, and I’d do anything to bring the sunshine back to his face.

Dinner is finished by the time he's finished sharing, and it’s my turn to recap what I’ve learned. The ember of a plan that started forming in my mind earlier has turned into a spark. We move to the couch, and when I’m done sharing it, the sun has set.

“Do you really think this has a chance of working?” he asks, his head on my thigh as I card my fingers through his hair.

“I don’t know,” I admit, and once again, that monster inside me rages at the position I’ve put us in. His anger slams against my chestplate like a sledgehammer, nearly jolting me with the impact. “I’d rather just take you and run right now.”

“Part of me wants that, too,” he admits, and my hand stills in his hair as I stare down at him. “But we can’t, El. We can’t leave them behind. Not after we’ve seen what’s being done to them.”

“We could come back. Collect a bigger group and plan an attack.” It comes out pleading, trying to feed that piece of him that might abandon this place, if just for now.

But even as I say it, I know an outward attack would never work.

There’s too much open space and too many advanced weapons here.

We’d be blown into craters before we ever got close enough to see their faces.

His smile is soft as he sees the reality sink in. “Or you could go,” he offers in a gentle whisper. “You could go and leave me here, and I could try to make a difference to these people.”

“No,” I snarl, baring my teeth at him, as a physical pain feels like it’s cracking my chest right in half.

“You’d be safe, and maybe one day—”

“No!” It’s louder this time, deeper and more monstrous as I combat my instincts. My senses ramp up to a thousand as my pupils dilate, my skin too tight as I fight to maintain control. “Don’t you dare suggest I ever leave you behind. Don’t you fucking dare .”

“But you could get out, El. Go back to where it’s safe.” He sits up, climbing into my lap and straddling my thighs. “You could go home.”

My hand lands on his mark, connecting us in a perfect match as a jolt of pure energy zaps between us. “ This is my home. You are my home. Don’t ever suggest I leave you behind again. We stay together… you and me, doc . Where you go, I go.”

“Always,” he whispers, kissing me softly before curling into my chest. I know I should go back to my room—avoid the inevitable questions if someone sees me leaving here in the morning.

But there’s no telling what tomorrow will bring, and every stolen moment with him feels precious.

August’s breaths turn steady in my ear, his body moving in tiny twitches as he falls asleep.

Inside my head, I scream to the Fates once more. Beg them to give me this—to give me him. But it’s silent in this room, and hours later, as I finally drift to sleep, there’s still no answer.