Page 16 of The Divide that Binds Us

“Elite hates us and resists our peacekeeping advances.If she’s already this powerful as is, then what makes you think she’ll stand for some ‘coaching’ and whatnot?The real questions are, what was she doing in that cave?What did she have to hide that she was so hostile to our team?Is she involved with the homicides?I don’t trust this one bit.”

My energy deflates from her negativity.She has great points, but coming from her feels like a big sister telling me she knows better.

“Let’s just finish this email,” I grumble.No way I can kick her out of my office now because it’ll be awkward.“The summoned creature and member carried an alluring glow.”Hmm, not sure if that’s relevant to Cedric.“The twins dodged the creature’s advances but were struck a few times as they attempted to retreat.They didn’t look back after they left the cave.”

“I think that’s it,” Katarzyna murmurs, going back to playing with her hair.A group of members shuffle by the office door, and a savory aroma lurks in the room.

“I’ll send this to him now.”I peek over my computer monitor.“I uh...have a meeting in a few minutes.”I swallow hard.“See you later?”

She nods and gets up.“Of course.M-Maybe we can get dinner?”

My brain catches up to my mouth, and I tense.

“No thanks.”

A flash of shock washes over her before she bites her lip and nods.I try to appear neutral and wave as she leaves.The traffic increases in the hall with the chatter.

I’m debating whether I want to dispatch anyone.It’s risky, knowing this girl is out there as a threat, but things need to get done regardless of the dangers.

I focus on the flagged email from Lynn Wu.My brows crease as I skim through the message, unsure of how to process any of it.

She wants to go to Emerald Island?For a...gem?

I grab my phone and text her to meet in my office.A few members poke their heads in to say hi before scurrying down the hall.Shoes squeaking against the floor are accompanied by giggles and shouts.Lynn arrives in no time, clutching her violin.

There are many members I don’t know well, including Lynn.She’s an incredibly talented violinist, and her Trace Mark is a little hard to see from the silvery undertones of her beige skin.Standing in the dark, the mark looks like watery music notes in a malformed cascade.

“Hello, Commander Rio.”She doesn’t move from the doorway but sweeps a black strand of hair from her face that must’ve escaped from her high ponytail.

“Hi, Lynn.”I point to my computer screen as if she can see it.“I saw your email.You wanna go to Emerald Island for a gem?”

“Yes.It is the actual stone—an emerald,” Lynn says.“Tess has family on Emerald Island.They found it embedded in the ground.It IS affecting the surrounding area, which is stated to be a dragon nesting spot.No one is sure what magical properties the gem is emitting.”

Huh, interesting.All the islands on Zeala were once a whole continent thousands of years ago.How ironic that an actual emerald is discovered on the island named after it.

I scratch my chin, feeling the stubbles scrape my fingers.“This sounds complex but easy to justify to Cedric.Let me check with him first to see if he’ll greenlight this.If he does, I wanna take the twins with us.”

Lynn frowns.“If I can inquire, sir, why them?”

“Trust my reason.There was an incident today where they spotted a unique Elite member.She can summon a creature and project some sort of force field.”

Her brows shoot up.“They...actually have decent members amongst them?”

“My thoughts exactly.Anyway, I’ll keep you posted on this.”

Lynn bows, keeping her straight face.“Understood.I reserve weekends for trips to Garnet Island.I await your response, Commander.”She slides into the hallway and disappears.

Newfound desire and excitement seep out of my pores with an electrifying surge.Without Katarzyna’s negativity, I’m more committed to my intrigue.I start a new email to Master Cedric with the details Lynn provided, hoping he’ll consider it.

I revisit the medical wing only to find the twins still in the same spot I left them, but now with chips, cookies, and soda.They make eye contact with me and light up all over again.

“Hey!You’re back!”Derrick says.

“I was only gone for an hour.”

“Right, right, well, we’ll be out in no time.”Eric scratches his head.“Whenever they release us.”

A nurse stops at the curtain, appearing dismayed.She looks at me and grimaces.

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