Page 53 of The Divide that Binds Us

With a thumping heart, Katarzyna blushes again and takes a deep breath.“I’m better now.”

Vinyl grabs her hands firmly in her cold leather grasp.“Have you calmed the urges?”

Katarzyna instinctively pulls away and tugs the sleeves of her hoodie down, concealing her wrists.She nods until Vinyl’s smile widens.“Good to hear!Anyway, I’ve got some wonderful news for you, my Golden Child.”

How many times have I told her to stop calling me that?Katarzyna unleashes a small laugh, but it sounds like an exasperated scoff.People say it’s because of a light that emits from her.But since she’s doubted it so much, the light has faded.

“What’s the news?”Katarzyna asks.

Perfectly timed to her question, a boy runs into the room, flying a toy airplane.He stops and stares at Katarzyna, cocking his head.He looks at Vinyl and teeters to her side as she reaches to pat his shoulder.

“This is Wren.I saved him from an abusive father who died—”

“From Berserk,” Katarzyna whispers.She’s staring at the kid, remembering he was mentioned in the article.“So, you own him now?”

Vinyl coughs.“You make him sound like property.After the Guards took him into custody, I applied for guardianship.Right now, I’m just fostering him until it’s approved.

Katarzyna told Rio about this kid, but she forgot all about this and wonders if Rio did, too.He’s been so caught up with everything else happening.

Wren waves his floppy hand at her.She holds her breath, trying to not feel weird.Sometimes she’s anxious around the youngsters.They can be unpredictable.

“Do you mind if I ask him a few questions?”Katarzyna meets Vinyl’s protective stare.

“Why?”

“Well, from what you told me, he saw someone Ultima is interested in.Black hair, golden eyes?Remember?”

Wren perks up with his round eyes and button nose.“Oh!The lady who is trying to save the dragons!”

“Shh, Wren,” Vinyl whispers.She maintains her firm stare onKatarzyna with her lips thinning into a hard line.“I asked you to stop by, but not to interrogate him.”

Katarzyna tugs on her sleeves with the delusion of her scars tingling.She wants answers but doesn’t want to be confrontational about it with her grandma.It’ll be humiliating to meet back with Tess with no clues to help Ultima.

“Ultima is interested in that unique Elite member.”Katarzyna holds her gaze before turning to Wren, who is hiding behind Vinyl on the couch.“Who is the lady saving dragons?”

Wren’s voice is small.“I don’t know.”

“Enough,” Vinyl snaps.“If this is all you’re interested in doing, then please leave, Kate.”

Crap.C’mon, think.Katarzyna’s thoughts swim for ideas to prolong the visit.So many questions left to ask but so little patience with Vinyl.Wren mentioned someone is saving the dragons, but Katarzyna isn’t aware of anyone single-handedly taking care of.

“I thought Guards were looking into the dragon murders,” Katarzyna says.

“Wren canseethings.Something is happening, but I’m not sure what.He’s too young to truly understand it either,” Vinyl replies.

“Okay, but what was the girl doing?”

Vinyl hesitates.“She looked like she was running from something and knocked the boy over.Are you sure you’re supposed to be looking into this?”

“What do you mean?”

Wren slides off the couch and runs out the room with his toy.Vinyl scoots closer to Katarzyna and grabs her hands softly in hers again.She wears confidence well on her slender, aged body, and she’s not a fool to let things slip by her sharp eye.

“Your light has dulled.You aren’t shining anymore.”

“Grandma, I don’t want to talk about that.”

“You seemed happier working in the base.Fieldwork may not be a good fit for your health if this is what you’re doing now.”

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