Page 108 of The Divide that Binds Us

He’s a deer in headlights.“You...y-you know about us?Yes, that’s me.I was actually wondering if Eva was around so I can see her.”

Billie tenses and stares Drake down.“Absssolutely not,” she hisses.

His shoulders and face drop with desperation fuming in his green eyes.He looks at me, possibly for a different answer, but I shrug and look away.

“Please?I’ve been trying to call and text her with no response.I–I think she hates me.”

“She’s sick,” I murmur.“You can’t see her.”

Drake straightens up and flails his hands like he’s trying to process a thought he can’t quite formulate into words.He looks like such a lost, wounded puppy with that scar on his face.The eye his healed cut went through tends to wander on its own, separate from the other eye; both convey the same forlorn expression tied with his scrunched-up brows and slight pout.I want to trust this guy, but I just can’t.

“I swear I would never h-hurt her,” he says.“I’ve been seeing her for months now, ever since we saw each other on Em—”

Billie holds her hand up.“Enough.We don’t care.”

Drake’s grimace deepens, creating creases around his lips.“Please.”

Maybe it’s worth taking him to see her.Or maybe, it’s worth keeping him around for ourselves.Reverse recruiting is a thing, right?

I look at Billie to read her expression but it’s blank.She shrugs, probably mulling it over, too.I’m stiff and ready for a shower to relieve the contracted muscles from the electrocution.

“Look...uh, Drake,” I begin.“Evangeline is in no shape to accept visitors right now.I mean this in the nicest way possible, but you need to leave.”

The twinkle in his eyes brings a flip in my stomach from how much love radiates in his face.This poor guy hasn’t seen her in weeks and just shows up out of pure concern, like hope springing through his heart and veins.I’ve never felt something like this, and it took me a while to realize my lack of this feeling isn’t strange.It’s perfectly okay.

“Well, w-will you k-keep me updated?”Drake asks.I look at his weary eyes and smile.He hesitantly smiles back and bobs his brown-haired head, sprinting out the building.My shoulders relax, bringing my aching back to my attention.

“Oi!What’s next on the agenda?I know you’ve got plans.SO many ideas,” Billie says.We walk back toward the dormitory.

I suck in air.“Well, unfortunately, I’m going to do something that’ll get me fired.”I look at her, sticking my leg out to show off the ankle monitor once again.“I’m not leaving the island, but I am going to Wave Riding Season.Master Azul told me to stay put, but...I can’t.I’ll have to be discreet since she’ll be there, too.”

Billie frowns.“For Zeala?”

“For Zeala,” I whisper back.“None of this matters if there’s no world to be in at the end of the day.I rather risk my job to save the world because I know if something happens, Azul and Rachel can’t do it alone, not with our powers weakening.Even if the world hates me when I’m done.If Wren’s sight is right, then I may run into Fae.”

Billie grabs my hand and squeezes.“Then I’m coming with you.”

A shudder of fear rocks through my nerves from the thought of glares and angry whispers coming my way if I attend, but I have to if I want to catch Mildred.She’ll be there, posing as the perfect giant rep for Garnet.We must stop her.

For Zeala.

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