Lunch arrived before Elias felt ready for people.
The cafeteria had no interest in that. Shard users, guards, lab staff, and block runners moved around one another with trays in hand and exhaustion written into their shoulders. Elias sat across from Kikaru with a bowl of gray stew cooling in front of him and the number ninety-four still working behind his eyes.
Kikaru ate because she was disciplined enough to treat food like another drill. Elias respected that and hated watching it.
His comm buzzed against his hip.
The message was short: Elias Kael, report to Warden Geras now.
Kikaru read his face before he spoke. "Is that Geras pulling you out again?"
"Looks like Geras wants me before lunch ends."
"Then do not let him turn a briefing into a decision you already made before hearing the cost."
Elias pushed his tray aside. "That was almost advice with concern inside it."
"Do not make concern weird while I am eating."
