Page 12 of The Divide that Binds Us

“I can talk to dragons!That’s my power!”she sputters.“The cave was just a spot to sleep in.There’s so much death these days, I needed somewhere safe to stay.Please don’t bring the Guards here.”

“I must; my mission is done.Plus, you are in need of shelter, so I’ll escort you.”I pause.Someone who can communicate with dragons could help figure outwhois killing them.“Your gift could bring value in times like this.You should consider auditioning for Elite in the future.”

“Or maybe I should join Ultima,” Fae retorts.The fear is replaced with flaring nostrils, slanted eyebrows, and a heavy frown.

My phone buzzes with a message from Master Azul asking for an update.Fae fidgets and kicks loose rocks while I type my progress on the mission.A steady clacking from afar, followed by squeaking wheels, catches my attention.

It’s also the moment Fae bolts in the opposite direction.

“H-Hey!Wait!”I shout, but she’s already gone.

The carriage pulls up in front of me with a Guard waiting inside for me to enter.He stares beyond me in the direction where Fae ran.

“Who was that?”he asks.

I sigh, still typing on my phone.“Some girl I found in the cave.Very fearful of Guards.”

“And what did she look like?”he presses.I stop typing to look at his neutral expression.

“Um, bright green eyes, blue hair, brownish complexion?”

“I see.”The Guard directs the carriage back into the livelier section of the island.We manage through the traffic, pass the station, and right smack in the middle of the Music District.How there are hotels here is beyond me.Who expects to get sleep around here?

My head is pounding from the pop music blaring from...somewhere—I haven’t pinpointed it yet.The hotel is a smooth, reflective, triangular skyscraper with lights flashing from top to bottom on all sides.It looks like it’s made of golden steel.When I enter my room, I find my backpack waiting and plop on the bed.

I send Master Azul a new note about the mysterious girl who got away, making sure to mention her ability.As I suspect, Azul is intrigued and wants me to go back to the cave in the morning to see if the girl returns.I ask for the address.

Evangeline calls with a recovered Billie, so I put them on speaker while typing my notes to myself.Billie is in good spirits, already chatting my ear off, so I lower the volume.She joined Evangeline on patrol as if the whole thing didn’t happen.

After ten more minutes of Billie’s yapping, I call room service to order a cheese pizza that I devour in thirty minutes before drifting off to sleep.

The next morning, Iwake up to a text from Master Azul with the cave’s address, so I grab my backpack and call for a taxi.

Like last time, I hike down the mouth of the entrance but stop a few feet in, unsure of where to look this time that I haven’t before.Fae was acting weird, which heightens my suspicion about this place.I wander around, letting the natural light from outside guide me deeper inside.A rhythmic dripping of water echoes with each drop.Aragonite crystals are decorated throughout the enclosed space as if bursting from the walls.I try to maintain balance around the stalagmites until I pull out my phone and use the flashlight.Nestled in a corner are three pastel rainbow spheres the size of bowling balls.

Wait...these are eggs.Holy Superior, they’re dragon eggs!

“Fae?”I call out.“Are you here?”

Something isn’t right.Did she hide them here?

Before I can inspect my findings, laughter creeps from the entrance.I turn off the flashlight and hurry back to ward off any intruders.

The laughter is louder and more apparent.A few thuds echo toward me, assuming they failed to safely hike down the mouth.When I get a few hundred feet closer, I wave my arms to catch their attention as they’re helping each other to their feet.

“Oi!You cannot be here!This cave is under inspec—” As I get a closer view of the cackling guys, their attire is clearer.I knew it was only a matter of time before this happened, and of course, it’d happen now.

Ultima is here.

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