Page 61 of The Divide that Binds Us

She nods and sits in the egg chair tucked in the corner of the office.

“Thanks for apologizing.I um...actually came to talk about Kate.”Tess’s russet brown skin glows in the light.She leans forward, resting her elbows on her knees.“She called from the hospital.It seems that the member summoned what looked like to be Skylar and ordered him to destroy Katarzyna.Then he morphed into a scythe.”

I shake my head incredulously.“Really?So, it’s true.”

“Yup.And Kate said the boy from the park, Wren?Her grandma adopted him.He knows about Malice and says she’s trying to save the dragons?”

Crap.I forgot to go to the station, but it’s nice to know he’s in a permanent location where I can question him.He may be our biggest lead.I doubt Malice is saving anyone though.My eyes lock with Tess’s as the weight of it all settles in the humid room.

“The Legendary Holy Bird of the Glorious Paradise, Naven,” she breathes.“Think it’s true like the twins said?”

So, the twins got to her, too.

“Eh, for starters, saying the whole name is a mouthful,” I chuckle.

“No doubt about that.But man, he’s ancient.Historians say he was created by the Superiors centuries ago; he’s the essence of the Air Superiors.”

“So, maybe Malice is an air Spirit User?”I massage my head.“Traced by Air Superior Amelia?”

“Not sure.But...it’s impossible for him to be Skylar, right?She would have to absorb his powers.In doing so means touching him, which he never allows.Also, she would need a way to Naven for any of this to make sense.”

The more we talk about Naven and Skylar the more confused I am about logistics.

I look at the time on my computer.

“Gotta go—oh, you haven’t heard anything about Wave Riding Season yet, have you?”I ask while powering down the computer.Tess stands up and smooths out her white shirt that looks like it gave a home to a coffee stain, but it displays her tribal arm tattoo perfectly as she waits by the door with a smirk.

“Me?Hear anything before Master Cedric and Commander Rio?”she says, but I smile sheepishly.“I doubt it’ll be postponed if that’s what you’re thinking.You can literally own or rent a dragon and surf the waves of Zeala.Water Spirit Users and avid dragon riders love that stuff.I’d bet a week’s worth of coins they won’t cancel.”

Convenient for Lynn to go from interest, even better for Ultima to go for protection.I’ll have to ensure that is still the plan for this year.

The squad meets inthe library.I scatter some history books about Skylar and Naven on the table.Hopefully, the stale smell won’t be a problem because we haven’t lifted the discolored navy carpet from the floor in years.

Lynn leans forward and folds her hands on the table.“Do we have a plan?”

Her hair is free from the ponytail and spilling in loose curls over her jacket while her violin case is strapped to the back of her chair.The twins sit on opposite sides of her, stealing looks at each other.Drake shows up uninvited.He’s the sore thumb of the group and doesn’t look like he fits in with the other three since he’s sitting on the other side of the round table.

“Quite a bit of things: We need to find Wren at Kate’s grandmother’s house.We need to confirm that Wave Riding Season is still happening.We need to....”I hesitate but rip the bandage off.“We need to find a young girl named Fae.Advisor Mildred from Garnet Island is requesting we use discretion.We need to...figure out what Malice is after.Think we can swing all that?”

“I’m still baffled that someone wants to basically destroy the world,” Derrick scoffs.“Like bro, what did Zeala ever do to anyone that they just wanna nuke it?”

“Unless they don’t believe the world will die and they’re just a dragon hater,” Eric counters, leaning his chair back on two legs.

Lynn scoffs.“Did you meet with Master Cedric yet?”

“No, we rescheduled, but I’m sure it’ll be fine.Elite may have something to do with the missing girl Mildred is looking for,” I murmur.Eric flails his hand.“What?”

“So, like, maybe Elite was SUPER petty about not being involved, and they kidnapped her.”When everyone gives that “what the hell” look, Eric puts his chair back on all fours and holds up his hands in defense.“I’m just sayin’.”

Drake clears his throat, reminding me he’s still at the table.“Any ideas on what to do first or what our approach should be?”

“Well, we need to capture the Elite member—that’s our biggest priority.We have motion activated traps we can use.Once they’re placed, they’re invisible so she won’t be able to see them.We take her, interrogate her, and then brainwash her,” I explain.Freakin’ Derrick gasps fiercely as if he didn’t know it was going to escalate to that.

“How are we gonna get her alone?”Drake presses.

I float around the idea of someone scouting the base or tracking her movements.Drake is intensely vocal aboutnotdoing that but doesn’t have a good argument as to why except that it’s a bad idea.Lynn stares dubiously at him.

I groan.“You can’t shoot down my ideas and not suggest any.”

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