Page 76 of The Divide that Binds Us

Billie snickers behind her hand, but I nudge her arm, and she bursts into laughter.

“We have confirmation now, so Mr.and Mrs.Redly are drafting a demand letter to Queen Oona to see their daughter, and rightfully so,” Rebecca adds.

Evangeline opens her eyes and sits up, pulling her soiled hands from the ground.

“It’s bad.The rot has nearly spread through the whole island.I’m sure it’s the same with the others,” Evangeline says.She wipes her hands against the grass, which takes off some dirt, so she wipes the rest on her cargo pants.“Why aren’t the Superiors doing anything?Should we pray?”

Billie and I exchange contorted faces, but Evangeline is too busy staring up at Azul and Rebecca with those big, gray puppy eyes.

“Praying is useless.Don’t be such a loser,” Rebecca snaps.

The pause is interrupted by a hot breeze blowing crumpled leaves down the quiet road.I look across the street and frown at the pond...or what’s left of it.It’s a dry crater, sparkling when the sun hits the coins that sunk to the bottom.

“Master Azul, don’t you have connections with the Superiors?”Billie asks, playing with the dead grass.“Ya know, because youwereone of them and all; maybe you can get answers.”

“I’m a fallen Superior.They have little respect for me,” Azul mutter.She whips her blond hair behind her shoulders and straightens up.“I need the four of you to meet in my office in ten.There’s more to discuss.Keep your uniforms on, too.”

Azul and Rebecca rush back into the building while Billie is dramatically wailing and tugging on her uniform jacket.

“What else would we wear?!We don’t own anything else!”she screams.

I meet Evangeline’s uneasy eyes.She pulls her knees to her chest and glances at the drooping forest behind her.The weight of a deteriorating world is crashing down on us.My heart squeezes in my throat at the thought of Evangeline’s tree wilting to death.

It’s been a while since we’ve all hung out, but Evangeline is noticeably thinner.Her uniform looks roomier, and her skin matches the gray in her eyes.

“C’mon.”I stand up.Billie springs up to her feet and heads for the building.Evangeline needs more time to stand, so I grab her arm, flinching from how I can wrap my hand around.She smiles as she steadies herself, but her lips are blue.

“Are you okay?”I whisper, steering her toward the steps.“You look awful.”

“Yeah.Just tired.”Her gulp is apparent through her paper white skin.“Hey, Alice?Do you think we’re the bad guys?”

I blink away my initial confusion but only manage to part my lips with the ghost of my answer slipping out.Of course we’re not the bad guys.

“I think you’re changing the subject.Do you need to go to your tree?”I ask.

Billie is waiting at the top of the steps, arms crossed, intently watching us.The air is dry but hot as we climb the stairs.Evangeline keeps her eyes down and says nothing, so I don’t pester.We reach the top and join Billie inside.

“Do you think we’re going on a field trip together?”Billie asks, smacking on chewing gum.She blows a pink bubble and sucks it back in.

The volume of members hanging in the lobby has increased since the latest dragon attack.The outdoors is no longer desirable since most of nature is dying.The worried glances, murmurs, and fidgeting amongst everyone are evident as we’re passing through.Stacy, the secretary, pays no mind and blasts music like a normal day.

Master Azul is looking at the surveillance screens when we enter her office.She scans each screen and turns to us, phone in hand.Rebecca is sitting in one of the chairs by Azul’s desk.

Evangeline can stand on her own, but she looks ready to keel over any second.I watch her in case she faints.

“Thank you for meeting with me.As you already know, Elite is not being deployed on the dragon matter, however; I secretly sent Alice on a few investigative missions to further assess the issue,” Azul explains.“Commander Rebecca and I have closely monitored everything, but I’m sure your friendship with Alice—Billie and Evangeline—has made you privy to some information, too.”

My face flushes with heat so hot, that I perspire immediately in my spot.

Azul continues, “No worries; no one is in trouble, but we do need to keep this tightly under wraps.The reason Billie and Evangeline were sent to have dinner with King Remington and Mildred was to gather intel, and it would appear it served us well.There’s just one matter I’d like to close the loop on though.”

She turns to Rebecca who stands up with a clipboard and dully flips through a few pages before looking at everyone.

“Evangeline Springtown, you reported that Natasha Redly was residing in Ultima and on her way to Elite last night.You did not cite your source, however; my suspicion led me to believe it was from an insider or Ultima.”

Everyone turns to her.My curiosity has resurfaced since the one time I saw her rushing to the forest the day I met Mildred and the baby dragon.

Rebecca flips to another page as Evangeline looks more uneasy.“Furthermore, we’ve identified a young gentleman who has been frequenting the forest around the same time you leave to recharge at your tree, per your Spirit User conditions.Our security intelligence has conducted a face match to none other than, Drake Strife of the Ultima Organization.”

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