“Emma?” Elias asked. “Something wrong?”
I shook my head to clear it, then smiled. “No, everything is fine, and yes, we love Italian. I’m surprised you remembered.”
Shrugging, Elias finished whatever sauce was in the pot, bubbling on the stove. “Easy enough to remember. You eat pasta whenever you get the chance.”
He wasn’t wrong there.
“Do you need help?” I asked.
“Just finishing, actually,” he said. “So all I need from you is to grab a plate and grab what you want.”
I did, still mildly dazed, then fixed another plate for Grace, adding extra garlic bread at her request. We had only just sat down to eat when a furious knocking rattled the house. Elias stiffened, his head shooting up, ears pricked as he had already moved to his feet.
“I’ll be right back,” he said, walking toward the door.
A moment later, I heard the door open. Hurried muttering sounded on the other side. Something about the urgent tone, even if I couldn’t make out words, sent chills up my spine. I stiffened, a lump growing in my throat. Something was wrong.
“Fuck,” Elias cursed. “That close?”
I couldn’t just sit by. I all but leapt from my chair as I hurried to the front door.
Sam stood on the porch, arms folded, his expression dark. His eyes glanced at me. At the small gesture, Elias turned as well. The worry and anger mixed in his expression made that lump in my throat triple in size.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
“The wraiths struck,” Elias said. “Close to the oasis. I’m sorry, I know we were just about to eat, but—”
“Don’t worry about it,” I said, already knowing what he was about to say. “It’s fine. Go do what you need to do.”
He paused for a brief moment, glancing over his shoulder out the door, then back at me. A rush of anxiety and concern flickered through me, through the bond. Elias was worried about leaving us alone.
“Go,” I repeated. “We’ll be fine.”
He strode over to me, and the backs of his fingers caressed my cheek. “I’ll be back,” he promised. His eyes flicked down to my mouth, and for a brief moment, I thought he might kiss me. Then he seemed to think better of it and backed away. He spun on his heels and marched back toward Sam.
“Let’s get going,” he said to his beta.
Then the door slammed shut, and they were gone.
I stared at it, as if I could peer past the paint and wood grain to see him as he and Sam piled into the idling car, ready to speed toward the wraith and into danger.
A spasm of worry stabbed me, taking me by surprise. The thought of Elias getting hurt made me almost nauseous with dread. I didn’t trust him entirely yet, but at the same time, the thought of anything happening to him set me on edge.
I wanted him safe. Except that felt too simplistic, too mild. There was almost a visceral need for him to be all right. My breathing sped up without my realizing.
“Is everything okay?”
Grace’s voice pierced through the veil of worry. I blinked, shaking my head to clear it.
“Everything’s fine, sweetie,” I said, throwing a smile on my face. “Your—I mean, Elias just needed to run out and take care of something. He should be back later.”
Just as the words escaped my lips, Grace’s face screwed in pain.
My smile vanished. “What’s wrong?” I asked.
“It hurts,” she said.
“What does?” I asked.
