Page 105 of The Divide that Binds Us

“Fae.Poppy.Gigi,” Wren whispers.He’s gnawing on a pillow and staring at the TV again.“Wave Riding Season.”

Vinyl’s eyebrows rise before she reaches to rub his back.I try to not gape at the kid, but I’m speechless at what he can see, and I want to know more.He’s so young though, how is he capable of this much already?

A nurse walks in carefully holding a small cup of an earthy tea that dances through my senses.She passes the mug to Lady V who then tries to get Wren’s attention, but he’s too focused on the TV.She sighs and turns to me, steam wiggling out of the mug.

“Did that mean anything to you?”Vinyl asks.

“Actually, it does.”

I sprint out of the infirmary and jog upstairs to Master Azul’s office.I’ve seen the news, the papers, the online media, and it gives me haunting chills seeing so much hatred from trolls and bigots.I never meant any harm, even when I threatened Mildred on Remington’s property.It’s time to face that and Azul.I’m glad I’m wearing my red hoodie this time to brace for the harsh chill in my bones.

Master Azul is also dressed in warm, wool clothing while sitting behind her desk.The fuchsia wall lamps’ glow bounces off her glossy skin today, and the stress of events shows through the subtle acne scars on her forehead and chin.

“Alice Reid.”

I immediately bow in front of her desk and straighten up.“I am so sorry for the trouble I’ve caused, ma’am, a-and...trying to confront Mildred alone.I’m sorry for everything.”

Azul sighs, propping her elbow on her desk and resting her cheek in her hand.A small, rosy smile forms, but it’s distant.

“You’ll need to wear the ankle monitor for the full thirty days.”She stands up and walks around her desk, uncharacteristically giving me a hug, her wool sweater scraping my cheeks.“We will take care of this, one day at a time.”

“Uh...Evangeline’s okay, right?She’ll be okay?”

Azul pulls away and holds my shoulders.Her blue eyes wash through me as they study my face before she purses her lips.

“I don’t know.I feel weaker these days, but I don’t think any of us are capable of dying from the lack of dragons.I certainly don’t want to find out, though.”

I push away and fold my arms.“The world will die first before we find out.”

Azul withdraws and sits back at her desk.She stares absently, almost like she’s pondering something before meeting my gaze.This is the first time I’ve looked at her, and I can finally see the youth and exhaustion in her weary eyes.

Once an Air Superior and now trapped on this world with the rest of us, forever deemed a failure to the Light of Judgement.So, what is she so afraid of when this is her second chance to make things right in the world?

“You know,” she begins.“I had a chance to speak with Vinyl Steed and the boy, Wren.”

Great, so have I.

“Vinyl seems to think that Guards are after her because of Wren.So, Elite will do everything in its power to keep them protected.In this case, this also means we may have someone Mildred wants,” Azul theorizes.“We’re in a position to act now because it’ll force her hand in coming after us directly and we can respond accordingly.”

A smile creeps across my face.“So...she slipped up.”

Master Azul nods, matching my smugness.

Finally, we have the advantage on this evil woman.

The simmering hope that’s been dwindling into a wilting flame finally blooms into the fire I need.Of course, I’m still in hot water, but we can make progress on stopping Mildred and her evil band of wild followers.

“I spoke with them too, Wren touched me and mentioned Wave Riding Season, and three names: Fae, Poppy, and I think...Gigi?I only recognize Fae’s name.”

“How lucky of us,” Azul muses.

I spend more time in her office as she’s telling me about Queen Sophie firing a ton of her staff.Not only did she uncover rogue Guards, but attendants in her home, too.

I scratch my cheek.“Mildred is operating somewhere in Garnet’s tunnels, but to have one place seems silly.The one we went to was empty.Wouldn’t she have backup places?”

“Yes.I sent Rebecca on a scout mission for Nick, starting with that first tunnel you were at.Her methods are reckless, but she found the other side of the dead end you reached.I don’t know when she’ll be back, but she sends check-ins to keep me updated.”

“Wh-what?Really?”

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