Page 106 of The Divide that Binds Us

“Believe it or not, Alice, shedoescare about everyone...to some extent.”She gives a half shrug.“Anyway, the public is wary about you being out, so I can’t send you to Wave Riding Season, nor can I send Billie due to her suspension.I’ll go with Rachel since she’ll detect any danger.”Azul glowers at me, darkness shadowing her eyes.“I’ve given you so many chances, so I mean this respectfully when I say: do not dare leave this building under any circumstances or Iwilldischarge you.That is your final warning.”

The chill in the room overcomes my bones.This place is all I know—all I ever knew since losing my dad.But...there won’t be an Elite if Zeala is destroyed.

I nod fervently and try to unglue myself from the chair across her desk.I can’t screw this up.I have an ankle monitor for Superior’s sake.

Azul’s attention shifts to her surveillance screens.When I look back, one screen stands out to me.The one that oversees the lobby and entrance.Someone is arguing with security or so it appears that way.No audio can confirm, but the angry gestures say otherwise.Security whips out their shields to try to push the situation toward the exit, but the familiar face bursts into flames, sending security backwards in a retreat.

“Is that Natasha Redly?!”I gasp.

I jump to my feet, mouth hanging open as Azul comes from around her desk and points to another screen showing the front steps outside the building and someone else running in.

Rio freakin’ Shackler.

“Wow, they are relentless,” Azul whispers, rushing out the room.I follow behind her to overlook the commotion from the balcony.Natasha is flaming out on the security agents while Rio is standing back as if wanting to approach her but unable to.Seeing how our first line of defense can’t withstand Natasha, Stacy stands on her desk, headphones slung around her neck.She whistles once, causing Natasha’s flames to die down and for her to scream, kneeling to the floor.Stacy shrugs and goes back to work at her desk.

Security recovers to subdue Natasha with a Solincium injection while holding off Rio from advancing.Master Azul chuckles beside me with an amused smirk.

She’s right, Ultima is relentless, and I’m sick of seeing this guy’s stupid face.

Natasha whimpers and looks at her surroundings, but her eyes move up to me and Azul on the balcony.She scowls and screams, pointing a finger at me.

“YOU!You did it!I will cut you, Alice Reid!”she snarls.“You’re the reason she almost died!”

“Commander Rio, please escort your disruptive team member out of here,” Azul commands across the lobby.Security steps aside for him to rush over and help Natasha to her feet.A third person walks in but is halted by two security agents at the door.Someone I don’t recognize and not in any uniform.The guy points at Rio but tries to keep his hands raised as security inspects him before letting him through.

A jarring pink scar flits across the right side of his face, cutting through his eye and down his cheek.He wears navy cargo shorts, with sandals, and a loose plain white shirt, so honestly, I would’ve never guessed he was with Ultima.

Rio holds Natasha but she thrashes in his arms, still screaming.

“Go outside; Drake can you wait with her?”

Drake frantically nods and grabs Natasha’s arm to usher her outside, but she’s resisting and hollering.Stacy hops over her whole desk, winking up at us as she heads for the doors with her clunky combat boots.

“Just gonna go out there with them juuust in case it gets rowdy,” she says.

The name clicks in my brain, Drake must be Drake Strife who Rebecca mentioned before Evangeline fainted.

Rio looks up at us on the balcony, teal eyes wide from the sight of me.

“Alice.”

“Rio,” I breathe, a grin sneaking its way across my lips.

He puts a fist over his heart and bows.“Master Azul.Please accept my humblest apologies for my team member.She is a little distressed at the moment.”

I prop my elbows on the railing, leaning forward.

“Why is she accusing me of almost killing someone?”I ask.“After everything, you’re still feeding them lies?”

“No,” Rio says, teeth apparently grinding.“Misinformation was spreading, and it became too much for Natasha.I understand Ultima’s relationship with Elite is a bit strained, but Master Cedric and I are committed to repairing—”

My right eye twitches.

“Lies!Master Cedric is committed to ruining everyone’s lives if it means getting what he wants in the end.Even if it means KILLING people for his own gain.You’re just his brainless lackey ‘committed’ to doing his dirty work like a good for nothing idiot!You both want to absorb Elite and I’m sick and tired of you all pretending you don’t!”

“Alice.Enough.”Master Azul’s voice has a warning edge to it.

Rio matches my grin from earlier.It’s almost intoxicating to look at.The heat in my blood pumps to my ears.

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