Page 20 of The Divide that Binds Us

Poppy softly bumps her warm snout against Fae’s head.She looks up at the glistening silver dragon as the cave drip echoes from the low ceiling.

“I’m sorry.Tell me who took the eggs, and I’ll find them.In return, you stay here and be safe.”

“But you’re still a baby.Don’t you generally stay on one island until you’re old enough to travel more?”

Stubbornness becomes apparent on Poppy’s face.

“Sorry.”Fae instinctively grabs the sapphire necklace.

She still worries about Poppy traveling such a great distance.After Zeala split from the Era of Chaos, dragons learned over time that the distance between islands was too much on a baby’s wings.They’re likely to tire out and drown in the ocean.Fae will never know if Poppy makes it unless she patiently waits for her return and can’t even guarantee Poppy will know where to go.The Guards are hot on Fae’s heels; a train ride to meet Poppy on Garnet is terrible.

“Fae?Tell me where to go.I’m smarter than I look.”

“Okay.Her name is Alice Reid.She works for the Elite Organization.She’s most likely gonna be wearing a maroon jacket with black pants—they all do, so it’s confusing.Alice has very distinct golden eyes and black hair about shoulder length.She’s taller than me with a similar skin tone.Elite has a building where you may find her.Please start there.Watch out for any Guards and that gigantic woman you saw earlier.Please be careful.”

Poppy nods and shows her gums again with a big smile.She jumps to hover as her reflective wings catch the light between each flap before flying down the wet cave path out the mouth of the entrance.

Chapter 5

Berserk

Elite: Alice

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The trip back fromthe cave felt like an eternity.Even with my jacket, Master Azul’s room is too chilly, and not helping with my pounding chest.

“Did anyone see you besides the twins?”Master Azul asks.“Did they see the eggs?”

“No, they didn’t make it far enough to see.I–I’m terribly sorry, ma’am.I tried to defuse the situation, but they were persistent.”My back spasms.“I scared them away and secured the eggs in my bookbag.”

“You put all three eggs in your bag?”Azul’s blond brow rises.

“Yeah,” I croak, ignoring the gnawing pain in my lower back.I need to go to the infirmary.“They were heavy, but I managed.They’re safely secured with Queen Sophie.”

Master Azus rests her elbow on the arm of her chair.“I see.This is still a problem.I need to speak with Master Cedric about this.”

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