The mask goes on last, and I yell, “One moment,” the sound strained.
Everything’s in order. Nothing feminine visible. Just a recruit’s sparse quarters, messy like any other male’s would be.
Oh stars, they know I’m not Lachlan. I’m never going to hug my family again; I’ll be tagged and forced to breed, my body used until it breaks.
But there’s nowhere to escape…the only exit is the door I desperately do not want to open.
My hand trembles as I unlock it and yank the handle before I can change my mind. Best to just get it over with quickly before the leaders’ rough hands break the door down.
Except there’s only Elias standing in the corridor, arms at his sides in a non-threatening posture. He’s not flanked by guards or holding restraints. He’s just…waiting.
The relief nearly buckles my knees.
His eyes survey me bottom to top, glimpsing over my shoulder before meeting mine. I’m not large enough to block his view without looking like a lunatic.
“I wanted to check on you,” he remarks, his voice carrying alight note of concern. “You seemed frantic back in the dining hall.”
Did I? I thought I’d maintained my composure reasonably well, given I was surrounded by hundreds of unmasked men and terrified of discovery.
“I’m not fond of crowds.” I shrug, hoping the gesture reads as masculine nonchalance rather than a nervous tick.
He hums, head tilting as he studies me once more. His arms cross over his broad chest, the material of his uniform pulling taught across his shoulders. I sense he’s debating whether to ask something.
“How are you finding your accommodations?” he finally asks.
What an odd question. Is this some kind of test?
My answer is brief and direct. “Fine.”
Elias’ brow rises behind the mask. “Do you ever take your mask off?”
The question scratches at my sternum. So he does know…He’s been baiting me, waiting for me to make a mistake, and now he’s caught me.
My hesitation stretches a heartbeat too long as panic bubbles in my throat.
But the leader nods toward my room before surprising me. “You are permitted to remove it in your quarters.”
Oh.Oh.
“Yes,” I blurt, sounding far too eager. I moderate my tone. “I had it off before you knocked.”
He hums again, allowing more silence to stretch between us. I’m not sure whether to think I’m done for or just accept that I’m projecting my fears onto his neutral observation.
“Take a walk with me, Ashford.”
It’s not a request. But is it an invitation or a trap?Something tells me Elias doesn’t play with his kills, and if he hasn’t apprehended me yet, I don’t believe that’s what he’s here for.
Stop being so fucking delusional.
With a nod, my feet carry me forward as I pull the door closed behind me. The room locks automatically with my thumbprint—a small mercy, as it means no one can search my quarters while I’m gone. Unless they have some way to override the lock, which they probably do. These are Enforcers, after all.
The illusion of privacy is just that.
Elias whirls the opposite direction from the training areas, forcing me to stumble before following. Trailing behind one of my leaders to an unknown destination is more intimidating than being surrounded by hundreds of men in the dining hall. As much as I hate the crowd, it’s easy to be anonymous there. Here, I’m alone with a man who has the power to destroy everything in my life with a single word.
“How are you adapting to training?” He glances at me, his pace unhurried.
What’s with all the questions?
