Page 59 of The Divide that Binds Us

Rebecca bends down to grab my badge and jacket, handing them back to me with a scowl.

“You’re not fired,” she simply says.

I hiccup, wiping my wet face.I accept the badge and jacket but look at Azul.Her icy stare can freeze any more tears I have left to shed.At least Rebecca’s stance has softened.

“I don’t want to be here anymore,” I croak.

Rebecca rolls her eyes.

“You do, Alice.You’re just in a lot of pain, and those feelings are valid,” Azul whispers.

My nose is stuffy with snot leaking and joining the remaining tears I free as I crumble to the floor.My shoulders shake as a small sob slips through my lips.There’s movement in front of me, until I realize Rebecca has walked away when I glance up.Master Azul crouches to my level and wraps her arms around me.The hug is stiff.

“If I’m not fired then what’s my punishment?”I muffle in her shoulder.My eyes hurt.

She hesitates but rubs my upper back.

“Suspension from all Elite activity,” she answers softly.“You need a break.”

Chapter 13

Confessions

Ultima: Rio

––––––––

The journalists arehere.

I can’t shake them off along with the questioning Guards in the parking lot.I’m half carrying an icy Katarzyna in my arms with a stressed nurse behind me trying not to answer any interrogating inquiries.

“Sir, we need to know what this woman was doing that started the conflict with an Elite Special Agent,” a Guard says for the fifth million time.

“Dammit,” I grunt.“As I said before.I got an urgent call and came immediately to help my friend—who I’m holding if you haven’t noticed—from a confrontation.I don’t know anything else besides that.”

This only sparks more questions.Did she know who she was interacting with before the situation turned hostile?Emeraldian Guards are totally not biased at all, I see.

---