Page 22 of The Divide that Binds Us

Evangeline leans forward with intensity in her eyes.

“So, you...used your powers?”she asks.

I adjust my head on the pillow, so I don’t have to crane my neck to look at them.Evangeline is by my feet and Billie sits right by my head.I’m an easy target if she farts.

“Yeah.I wasn’t thinking clearly, but it was the only way to spook them enough to not come back,” I explain.I toss my arms out and stretch as far as my body lets me, gaining some relief in my back.“Because of that, Azul took away my outside privileges.”

“Ruthless, but totally, TOTALLY understandable,” Billie says.

I frown.“You’re taking her side?I’m a cooped-up chicken here!”

Billie raises her pointer finger, appearing ready to lecture me on something ridiculous.Evangeline scoots to the edge of the bed.

“Yes, but only because something strange has been happening the last two years since their new Commander started, like SUPER STRANGE,” Billie gasps.“We’ve speculated this before, remember?Missing members?Decreasing staff?More auditions?Yada-yada-ya?”

Evangeline smirks, bringing up her ears.“Ah yes, the mystery of the missing members who suddenly reemerge and discharge themselves from Elite with no reason and ‘join’ Ultima.”

“So, basically Azul is right to keep you inside.You attacked their members; what if you suddenly disappear?”Billie asks.She wiggles her fingers at me, emulating a zombie.

I bite the inside of my cheek.“Well, now I’m horrified.”

Billie snickers.“As you should be!”

Evangeline checks her phone.“Oh!Oh!Rachel just texted that the cafeteria is launching a new lunch special!Let’s go check it out.”

I roll off the bed before Billie gets a chance to push me since I’m blocking them both.We leave the room and head for the cafeteria.Billie and Evangeline chat about the menu, but I get sucked into my thoughts about Ultima.For five years, I’ve done well at minding my business and staying under their radar.If Azul clears this up with Cedric, I should be fine.

I grind my teeth.After everything that bastard has done to me, heshouldgive me a pass.

Smells of garlic, soy, fish, and spices fill the halls.The line to the cafeteria is gone now, so we go in and grab our maroon plastic trays.A few years ago, Billie told me Ultima has silver, stainless steel trays and it still pisses me off.

The glass shield displays options for fried rice, dumplings, sushi, ramen, curry, and fish.My mouth waters as I wait for the servers to give Evangeline her vegetarian spring rolls.Billie asks for pad thai which makes my stomach growl.I can’t decide what I want but choose samsa and shorpo since I haven’t tried either.I balance a piping hot mug of hibiscus and pomegranate tea on the tray.

I weave through the sea of maroon lunch benches of chattering Elite members to the table closest to the exit.Rachel is sitting there reading a book, having not touched what looks like roasted duck on her plate.Her black curly mane is pulled from her face by a red headband.She looks up and sets the book aside, making room for Evangeline to sit next to her while Billie and I sit across.

“Hey, y’all!Thanks for joining me.”Rachel’s eyes settle on me.“Hey!Happy belated birthday!Looks like I still have a ways to go before I join the nineteen club.”

“When is your birthday?”Billie asks, stabbing and twirling a fork in her food.“If it helps, Tyler is FINALLY turning eighteen in August.Finn turns nineteen next year in March.”

I bite into my samsa, savoring the hot texture and flavor of the minced lamb and cheese.I don’t want to stop eating ever again.

“How do you know this?”Evangeline asks with one arched brow.

Billie slurps the noodles from her plate.“Birthdays are my little obsession.”

“In December!”Rachel props her elbows and leans forward on the table, lowering her voice.“So, I’ve been doing a lot of patrols on Emerald, and rumors are circulating about a giant emerald gemstone stuck in a field somewhere.”

Billie chokes and grabs a napkin from her tray.

“Really?How ironic,” I murmur.My eyes draw to her glowing white Trace Mark on her right forearm, complementing her warm, sepia skin.It resembles freckles forming an exclamation mark.“What jurisdiction does a giant gem fall under?”

Rachel straightens up.“I’d think maybe the Guards.Rob is so sweet and concerned about it.”

Billie recovers but is wheezing with red, watery eyes.“Rob is...sweet?”she croaks, reaching for her glass of water.

“I know.I know.His powers act up which activates the demon.We’ve done constant patrols at nearly every station we can,” Rachel explains.She finally touches her roasted duck, cutting it into smaller pieces with a flimsy knife.“I can tell he’s exhausted.It’s gonna catch up to him and awaken that dang thing.”

“That sucks,” Billie breathes, still not fully recovered.

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