Page 32 of The Divide that Binds Us

“I think we should just leave the gem here!”I shout.

“And then what?!Run home?”Derrick asks.His eyes are squinting from the sun behind me.“She probably told everyone, so there’ll be Elite members waiting at every station.”

“Alright, get it up here,” I demand.The twins scurry back into the crater, and with one of them on each side, lift the uneven cut gem and toss it in the wheelbarrow.Lynn runs up the hill with Derrick behind her and Eric behind him, rolling up the gem.

“What now?”Lynn huffs.“Did I see you put her in the trunk?”

“Ya, you sure did.Anger like hers simply can’t go ignored.”I toss the keys at her, only to realize I’ve been trembling this whole time.“Take the twins and the car.I don’t know where we are but just keep driving.I’ll be behind you with the gem.”

“Are...are you sure, Commander?”Lynn questions.

“Go.NOW.”I grab the wheelbarrow handles from Eric to get a running start and push it down the road.Lynn gets in the car with the twins, and they speed by me.My body lurches forward as I shift into a human-shaped lightning form while pushing the wheelbarrow with its wheel going nuts from the fast speed.I catch up to the car and tail it as Lynn drives.Eric looks out the back window and waves at me.

We pass a wooden sign that says, “Amethyst Station” in purple paint with a black arrow pointing ahead.Lynn speeds up as dust flies in front of me.We’re still on the road in the middle of nowhere.A few miles later, city buildings surface.The train tracks are clear enough to see a departing train, but the road ahead turns into asphalt.Before we enter, two incoming cars stop and park sideways, blocking us.

Lynn slams on the brakes while I maneuver around to shift back and slow my feet down.The car squeals to a stop, curving slightly and leaving tire streaks in the road.I stop beside them and park the wheelbarrow as they emerge from the car.We’re a few hundred feet from the blocked vehicles, so I have a better view of what’s ahead.

I look behind us to find more cars blocking our rear.We’re surrounded by an open field that doesn’t seem claimed as farmland.

“Master Cedric will be so angry,” Lynn says.“We will all be punished.”

“Relax.I have everything under control.I’ll take full responsibility,” I reply.

Eric nudges me.“Thanks for always looking out for us, Rio.”

My members flank behind me as we walk down the road toward the first two parked cars.Waiting for us is a large, disgusting sea of maroon, gold, and white—about ten against four of us.The cars behind us unleash five more Elites.

“Is this even necessary?”Eric asks, placing a hand on his hip.“A-Are we telling them about–”

“No.Natasha ran away as far as they’re aware,” I tell them.

Derrick huffs.“Lynn, how many people can you hypnotize at once?”

“I do not know,” she murmurs with sadness dripping.

A member with black hair is front and center of the group.I almost believe it’s the mysterious girl, but the twins’ lack of reaction convinces me otherwise.

“Rio!”Katarzyna’s voice calms me; I turn around to see my Ultima members assemble.Scotland, Clyde, and Drake are among them with a parked van behind the second Elite car.

I step forward while the black-haired girl stops her group and steps forward.I finally recognize her: Elite Commander Rebecca Foster.The Elites lurking behind us finally move around with stank expressions to join the main group.

“Commander Rio,” Rebecca addresses me with a quick, firm bow before rising.I return the gesture.“We were notified by Natasha Redly that an intervention was needed for excavating the gem that’s polluting this area.”Her raw and scratchy voice catches me off guard.

“Greetings, Commander Rebecca.I was given a directive by Master Cedric to assist Natasha with the gem.”I gesture to the wheelbarrow behind us.“As you can see, we’ve successfully removed the gem and will take it back with us to Onyx for further testing.Your team is more than welcome to inspect the premises; it’s just further down the road.”

“Ah yes, we will be doing that, thank you.”Rebecca purses her full lips.Her stony, expectant stare chills the air.“WheredidNatasha go, by the way?Her phone’s signal ends here.”

“Natasha attempted to inflict harm and burn the area, seeking revenge.When you inspect the area, you’ll see the burnt grass.She dropped her phone before running away.”I pull out the device and saunter forward to give it to Elite’s Commander.I scan the crowd behind her, but it’s all a blur of scowls and bared teeth.

Savages.All of them.

“Much appreciated, Commander Rio.I apologize for my member’s violent reaction.We will address this when she returns to the base.”

My heart pulses loud enough in my neck as I keep myself upright and walk backward to rejoin my group.

“If I may, Commander Rebecca, there’s another incident I’d like to inquire about while we have the opportunity to speak on concerning matters,” I begin.“A different Elite member attacked my agents a few days ago in a cave on Topaz Island.I’ve sent the report to Cedric, who will likely review it with Azul.I’m hoping you can follow up on that.”

“Didn’t your agents disrupt the investigation in that cave?”Rebecca counters.

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