Page 26 of The Divide that Binds Us

I haven’t apologized to Ultima and I’m not going to.Ultima is just through the trees.I don’t want to be here when they come out to inspect what happened.There’s no time to heal Wren’s bruises or get him to safety.

I raise my hand to cut Lady V off.“I’m so sorry, I need to go.Please bring Wren to Ultima.They’ll contact the Guards and take it from there.”

Lady V blinks, raising her dusty blond eyebrows.“Oh, okay.”

I force myself up and weave through the crowd, leaving behind Wren, Lady V, and Ultima.

Chapter 6

Two Sides

Ultima: Rio

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The twins are playingair hockey while we’re waiting for Lynn to meet us in the rec room.Master Cedric approved me to inspect the gem on Emerald Island, while also acknowledging my report on the mysterious Elite member.His silence worries me, but I must trust that he’ll handle it.

So, some light browsing on an unfriendly mobile version of the Elite website is completely harmless.I keep switching from reading progress reports to the internet browser on my phone.A notification to review another member’s completed mission blocks the search bar.

“Dammit,” I mutter.The lights in the room flicker for five seconds before they stabilize.

Derrick whips his head toward me, creating an opening for Eric to knock the puck into the goal.He throws his arms up, but his paddle flies out of his hand and across the room.

I glare at the two.“Those things aren’t cheap, ya know.”

“Sorry,” Eric mumbles with a smirk, grabbing the paddle.“You helped me win!”

“Did not.”I take a deep breath to relax my jaw and return to the U-Knit app to look at another progress report.

Derrick rolls his eyes and plops on the couch next to me.“Dude, it was a technicality win.Stop acting like you don’t suck at this game.”

Eric sticks out his tongue before kicking my feet off the ottoman and sitting on it.I lower my phone and gape at him.

“Fincher!”

“Sorry, sir, but I don’t sit with losers.”Eric crosses his arms.“I’ve elevated myself to another realm.”

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