Page 109 of The Divide that Binds Us

Chapter 23

Wave Riding Season

Ultima: Rio

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Natasha is missing.I had no idea she was gonna go off the deep end like that.

But it’s my price to pay, I failed to get her under control.That leaves me sitting in front of a disapproving Master Cedric.Again.

This time, he invades MY office.

I offer him my desk so many times I can’t even remember my last name.He looks odd sitting in the egg pod chair, but he makes it work and crosses his legs.I offer my puzzle cube and surprisingly he accepts that.

“You’re off dispatch duty,” he says simply, focused on the puzzle cube.“Your judgment is abysmal, and I don’t trust you.Focus on performance reviews and training.”

“A-And Natasha?”

“I’ll hunt her down myself,” he sighs.“Master Azul described her behavior as erratic and almost as if she’s going Berserk.I can only imagine she could’ve run home, but I honestly don’t know.”

“Sir, admittedly I’ve been distracted lately.I was wrong to take on Mildred’s repeated advances, but I’ve since shut her down and now I feel like my mom and Lynn paid the price for that with Alice.The scarlet A.”

Cedric lowered the puzzle cube, smirking.“Are you sure that’s the truth?”

Who else could it be?Mildred would never harm a monarch...not literally, at least.

My phone buzzes, but I stare at the unknown number and lie it face down until it stops.The desk phone rings next with the same unknown caller ID, so I ignore that too.

“If...if I can just nab Alice, retrieve the missing girl for Mildred, then at least I can wipe my hands clean of the wrong I’ve done toward Ultima,” I mumble, swiveling my chair.Alice must be the key to this mental puzzle.

Master Cedric’s cell phone rings, but he makes no effort to reach in his pocket for it.He keeps his eyes on me, glaring and waiting for me to say the wrong thing so his jaws can snap around my neck.

My cell rings again, so Cedric tosses my puzzle cube to me.I’m so nervous that I’m nowhere near catching it and it breaks when it hits my desk.

“Take the call, I’m sure it’s your friend.”He shoves his hands in his pockets and leaves.

I frown, answering my phone.“Hello?”

“Rio Shackler,” Mildred says.Her voice is hard to decipher.“My thoughts have been occupied with you.You weren’t answering my calls.Are you and your mother well?”

I swallow, but my lump gets caught and I lose my breath.

“She’s fine.”I cough and clear my throat.

Mildred is quiet for a moment.“That’s...music to my ears.We’re coping with our own issue with the uh...strong-willed Alice tearing up a portion of the island.We’re so blessed it’s nowhere near Central Square, so Wave Riding Season will continue.”

“I’ll be at Wave Riding Season,” I tell her.“I think a lot of issues will be resolved once I have Alice in custody.”

Mildred hums softly.“Mmm.Do not fret.I’m advocating for her arrest to King Remington.I firmly believe we can handle this, along with my little girl’s whereabouts which I’m certain Alice knows.Do be careful at Wave Riding Season.I heard this year’s tides will be a little rough.”

Clyde is finally outof the infirmary and much more pleasant than before.I accompany him to the store to pick up a few things for his room he shares with Drake.Wave Riding Season starts today.

I push the buggy while he tosses in essential items and goes to the next aisle.He fixates on the bottles of shampoo and can’t decide if he wants cedarwood or strawberry scented.I notice the ads for Wave Riding Season and see a few kids running around with toy dragons makingwhooshingnoises.

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