Page 68 of The Divide that Binds Us

“Not at all.I’ll take Billie up front to meet there.Do be careful, Evangeline; it’s very easy to get lost around here.”

The parting stare they share sends tingling goosebumps up Evangeline’s arms.She rushes out of the dining room but forgets where the first bathroom is.The halls appear dimmer than before, so it’s harder to see if there are real shadows or Guards prowling.

Marching down a new hall, Evangeline pulls out her vibrating phone to finally answer a call from Drake.

“Hey, can we talk later?I’m kinda in the middle of somethin’,” she whispers.

“Oh.Are you at the base right now?”he asks.

Evangeline smiles and waves at a Guard watching her with rimmed eyes.“No, I’m actually at King Remington’s estate.”

“Nice!”he says, but his voice shakes.Car honking blares in the background.“So, uh, Natasha is on her way to Elite.”

Evangeline stops in her tracks.“What?You really DO have Natasha?!Are you outside right now?What is going on?”

“Y-Yes, I can’t talk to you inside the base, no one but Rio knows about us.”

“Rio Shackler knows?!”Evangeline gasps.“This wasn’t supposed to get out to anyone, especially to him!”

Drake ignores the question.“Why didn’t you tell me you’re a treeling?Is it true?”

Evangeline’s throat squeezes.Too much information is flooding through the gates of her private life.Her parents would be appalled.“How do you know about that?Tell me about Natasha; her parents deserve to know she’s okay!”

Drake sighs.“I’m so sorry, I’m a mess right now.Natasha told us, but it’s not my call to announce her official switch to Ultima!She’s heading to Elite with two of my coworkers watching from afar.I feel so...ill even telling you this.Do you have any info on your friend that could help?Maybe I can convince Natasha to turn around.”

“Yup but I’m not telling you!”Evangeline hangs up and tosses out her plan to search for Mildred’s room.The audacity Drake even has to play both sides blatantly over the phone to her.

She turns around and almost runs into a Guard towering over her small frame with a wide smile.

“Lost?”

“No—well, kinda, I was trying to find the restroom, but I think I’m just gonna go instead.”

The Guard nods and points back down the hall.“Go to the end and make a right.You’ll see the foyer to your left when you continue down.”

Evangeline catches sight of his hand as he’s still pointing and sees the A again.

“What does A stand for?”she boldly asks.

He drops his arm and tilts his head.Evangeline holds her breath.

“Anguine.Mildred Anguine.”

“Seems like a lot of you respect her judging by the shared tattoos you all have,” Evangeline mumbles.

“Ah yes.Mildred is actively engaged with the community and volunteers.”The Guard outstretches his hand toward her.“She helped me through rehab and Guard academy.She gives great advice to anyone in need.”

Evangeline backs away.“No thanks.”

She breaks into a sprint down the corridor, looking up the main Elite number on the phone and calls until Stacy, the secretary, answers.

“What?”There’s metal music playing in the background.

“Is that how you greet people, Stace?”

“No, I have caller ID.Whaddaya want, Eva?”

“Did Natasha stop by?”Evangeline asks.

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