Page 19 of The Divide that Binds Us

Fae approaches concertgoers in the Entertainment District.They’re so hyper that takes ten minutes to get a coherent word from them until the neon-haired group offers her a hoodie and instructs her to go straight.

The hoodie’s warmth envelopes Fae into a soft hug tingling throughout her upper body.She tucks her blue afro mohawk in the hood before narrowly dodging a Guard’s line of sight as he marches through pedestrians down the sidewalk.Fae’s pants billow in the wind like paper streamers.That still needs work.

She doesn’t question why Guards are patrolling the streets with Elite members.Unlike the public service dorks, the Guards’ gazes are critical and arresting.Some are definitely looking for her, but telling who the bad Guards are apart from the good ones is impossible.

Even at this time of night, the bustling streets, bumping music, skateboarding kids, and overall chaos are Fae’s only saving grace.She carefully weaves by lurking glances and keeps her eyes on the ground.

Dawn breaks through, and Fae’s calloused feet sting as she settles into a limp.She hobbles to a rickety pub and sits by a giant dumpster in the back.Heavy exhaustion closes her eyes for a brief second before she jumps to cackling nearby.Scrambling to her feet, Fae keeps close to the wooden shack of a pub and moves around to peek near the front.

Two people in Ultima uniforms stumble off the porch while holding each other.They fall over each other to the point where Fae loses interest and sits back by the dumpster.She closes her eyes but doesn’t expect to fall asleep.

“Over here!”someoneshouts from around the building.Fae jolts awake from the authoritative tone she knows too well.Her limbs weigh on her as she gets to her feet and search her surroundings.

Across the street, a swarm of Guards jog to a slanted opening in the earth’s wall—the cave!It looks different in the daylight, and she was closer than she thought.A parked car along the side of the road unleashes a tall, muscular woman with sunglasses.Before she walks toward the cave, a Guard rushes to her.Fae’s instinct is to run, but she moves closer through the parking lot.

Gotta know what their next move is.

“Ma’am!No sign of the girl or any dragons.”

The woman takes off her glasses, but it isn’t a shocking revelation.Her angular jaw, hook nose, and sneer can alert anyone that it’s Mildred Anguine, advisor to King Remington of Garnet Island.

“A Guard friend gave you the tip, did he not?”Mildred asks.

The woman hesitates before responding.Fae squints and barely makes out the Garnet Island insignia on the breast pocket of her uniform.

“Yes, but we might’ve come too late, m-ma’am,” the Guard mumbles.

Mildred grabs her by the neck and effortlessly lifts her off the ground, muscles flexing from exertion.

“And what will you have me do with such futile information?”

The Guard struggles and drops her crossbow.Fae watches uncomfortably until the girl utters something inaudible.Mildred releases her with little thought and watches her cough and gasp for air.Fae’s skin crawls from the thought of Mildred finding her again.No sign of dragons must mean Poppy took the eggs already.

“Find her,” Mildred says, turning on her heels and ducking back into the car.Fae sucks her breath, waiting for the remaining Guards to pile into the car before speeding away.She bites through the pain in her feet and makes a break for the cave—skidding down the unsteady path at the mouth and hopping over stalagmites to reach the wall where she last saw the eggs.As expected, they’re gone.

Fae slumps her shoulders.“Thank goodness.”

“Your fault.”A growl curls up Fae’s spine.She whips around to face a gum-bearing Poppy glowering at her with the light from the crystalline bouncing off her silver, metallic scales.“Eggs are gone!Siblings are gone and it’s your fault!”

Fae shoots her hands up.“I didn’t do anything!”

“Your kind did!Zealans and Spirit Users are awful.”Poppy’s mouth opens as an orange glow rises from deep in her throat.The glow brightens and dims to a puff of smoke blowing in Fae’s face.Poppy’s wings sag as her shoulders drop.Fae’s smile tightens to not express too much relief at that thought of a baby dragon not mastering an element blast yet.

“I thought you took the eggs,” Fae states.“You flew away last night.I figured you came here.”

“I was heading here, but my friend cried for help, so I changed course.His wing was ruined by large firework.I comforted him for hours.”

“So, you were hiding just now?”

“Nearby.Those people reek of death.I don’t know what to do now.”

“I think I know who took the eggs,” Fae says.A violent shiver rocks through her body as the cold pierces her copper legs.“That lady you saw is bad news.I’ve been running from her and warning any dragon I can find.I wanted to protect the eggs but ...”

A shaky smile creeps across Fae’s face.The goosebumps haven’t left since she’s been cold this whole time.With no money or help, she’s been alone since her escape.All Fae ever wanted was to be free and meet dragons.If she gets caught, she’ll become Mildred’s puppet again.

Poppy tilts her head, her metallic scales reflecting in the new angle.“Oh.You’re in danger, too?”

Fae nods numbly.“In a way, yes.”

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