Page 14 of The Divide that Binds Us

“We’ve had many discussions on your attitude, so let me gently remind you that it’s not welcomed here, or I can hold you in contempt downstairs, Mr.Strife.”

Clyde relaxes his jaw as he nods.“Thanks for the reminder.”

He rips his arm away and storms out the gym, still swearing under his breath.It’s been two years, and this guy still can’t stand me.I don’t think I’ll ever get through to him, especially if the last Commander was as laid back as people claim she was.

But more dragons died on her watch.

The gym doors slam, snatching me from my thoughts.Katarzyna approaches with quick steps and a pinched mouth.

“Kate?”

“Rio.W-We have a problem.”

I follow her to the medical wing of the base until we reach a curtain she peels back.The twins, Derrick and Eric, lie in separate beds beside each other, coughing.Both smile in unison at the sight of me.

“Commander Rio!”they say.

“What the hell?What happened?I thought you two went partying on Topaz!”It’s practically all they ever do on their respite days.

“Well, funny story ‘bout that,” Derrick begins, pointing at me.“We kinda wandered from the spot and got lost.Then a few cuties said—”

“Dude, you’re telling the story wrong!”Eric interjects.I sigh sharply and fold my arms.The twins share a look before their eyes lock on me.“Do you remember when the second dragon death happened yesterday, we were closing off the area?”

“Yes,” I reply through gritted teeth.“That was indeed yesterday.You two are off TODAY, yet still in uniform!And you went to Topaz in that?Representing Ultima?”

“Okay, so after we finished our assignment on Garnet last night, we hopped on a train to Topaz.No way were we gonna backtrack to change clothes.We wanted to have a drink for the two dragons that died,” Eric explains.“Topaz is better at literally everything, as we all know.”

“Do we, though?”Katarzyna asks.She’s behind me, twisting two blond strands.

“AnYwAy,” Eric continues with an eye roll.“We went there and got SMASHED, stayed overnight, woke up still drunk, and kept going!The Nightlife District is amazing.We were in an underground club with bears roaming around!”

I tighten my crossed arms and try to unlock my tensed jaw.It’s something almost every day with these two.This is as absurd as when they released all the snakes from their cages at the pet store on Garnet last year.They were suspended for nearly three months.

A nurse passes by and peeks over my shoulder at the twins before writing something on her clipboard and speeding off.

“While drinking, we were dared to go to this creepy cave,” Derrick explains.“Long story short, we went and some Elite chick attacked us!”

“What?!”Katarzyna screeches.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa!You can’t end a story that fast and drop a bomb like that.”My gaze swings between them.They look as dumbfounded as that story.“First, there will be discipline for misrepresenting Ultima in your inebriated state.Second, tell me everything that happened with this...Elite member.”

Ileave the medicalwing after half an hour of drilling the twins with questions.Katarzyna follows behind me but stops abruptly when I whip around to look at her.Her eagerness descends as she shyly tucks a strand of her pale, blond hair behind her big ears.

“S-Sorry, are you going back to your office now?”she asks.

“Yes, I need to file an incident report to Cedric.”

This is never supposed to happen.Elite stays in their business, and we stay in ours.Why would someone from Elite attack Ultima?

Katarzyna shuffles aside as nursing students walk by.The lobby is a busy blur of silver, navy, and black uniformed members entering and exiting the building.Remodeling is finished, so the floor shines with its newest ivory marble layout that matches the half-circle desk the receptionist sits at.

Two dragon deaths didn’t slow us down on Onyx Island.While we watched the news, my gut told me the decision.Even with the organization-wide announcement in the U-Knit app from Master Cedric, no one seemed surprised by our stance.Ultima is happy to maintain peace and protection for dragons when we’re needed.I’m sure Elite has their hands full with the basics of escorting citizens in need, providing security at opulent events, mediating complaints in HOA neighborhoods, and basically catering to the affluent crowd.

“Can I help with the report?”Katarzyna asks, tugging on the hem of her black shirt.Her lifeless, ashy eyes peer through her lashes.“You know, just in case you can’t remember all the details they gave.I was the second pair of ears.”

“Sure?”

She’s stiff beside me when we cross the lobby to the hall before going to my office.I offer to stop at the cafeteria to grab a snack, but she declines and keeps her gaze straight ahead.

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