He was my anchor in this sinking world. My best friend. Maybe the only good thing I still had.
“You’re back!” he breathed, trying to sit up straighter, bracing to rise. His bony body was now brittle and so, so thin.
He was so weak. Maybe dying.
Don’t think about that!
I held up a hand, stopping him gently. “Don’t. Stay. I brought you something.”
His eyes flicked to my jacket, and I could see the question forming before he even spoke.
I crouched beside him and slowly unzipped the old denim, careful not to let the bread fall apart. The loaf was still warm at its core, steam faint in the chill. His eyes widened, lips parting in disbelief.
“Is that…?”
I nodded, pulling it out like it was gold.
“Burned on the bottom,” I muttered. “But it’s whole.”
Finn looked at it like it was a miracle, his throat working as he swallowed hard. He didn’t reach for it right away—he never did. Not before he made sure I was fed.
“Eat first,” he said.
“Finn,” I began.
“Elira.” He said flatly, “You haven’t eaten in what, days?”
A week, but who was counting?
“Finn, you need it more…”
He sat back, watching me stubbornly.
I rolled my eyes and tore off a chunk, shoving it into my mouth with a dramatic sigh. “Happy now?”
He gave a tired smile, and only then did he let himself take a piece. He held it with reverence, like it was something sacred, and took a careful bite.
“Gods,” he murmured. “Tastes like heaven.”
And for a moment, just a heartbeat, we weren’t in the ruins of a forgotten school, in a city that wanted us dead. We were just two friends, sharing bread and silence. I chewed it, savouring each bite like it was our last. It began to disappear in my hands. When it was finally gone, I sighed, still hungry.
“Did you have any trouble?” Finn asked, voice low and wary as always.
“Not really.” I shrugged like it was nothing. I tugged on the small hand carved wooden wolf charm Finn had once given me around my neck. It hung low on a thin black cord and touching it comforted me.
“A couple of sentinels tried to chase me through the market, but I gave them the slip.”
His eyes cut sideways to mine, brow furrowing. “Elira… you didn’t use your powers again, did you?” The whisper carried more fear than accusation.
I hesitated, then grimaced. “No one saw me.”
“That’s not a ‘no.’” His voice was sharper now, tight with worry.
“Finn,” I said, more gently this time. “No one saw. I promise.”
He rubbed a hand over his face. “Elle, you have to be more careful. If even one Shade catches wind of what you are…” He didn’t finish. He didn’t have to.
“I know,” I said. “But what would you have me do? We’re starving. I’m not going to let you die in here on an empty stomach while I do nothing.”
